The Reformation Movement is well known. The term refers to the efforts of men like Martin Luther, beginning in the 16th century, who sought to reform certain practices of the Catholic church. These men believed such practices were in violation of scripture. Interestingly, before being branded as heretical by the Catholic church, Luther was a priest in that organization. He wasn’t seeking to leave it, he simply wanted to make it better by making changes.
The term “reform” is defined as: “make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.”
The Restoration Movement, which took place in the 19th century primarily in the United States, is not as well known, though many are familiar with the term. Men such as Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone (two of the most famous names) sought to restore the worship, teaching and practice that was present among the Christians who lived in New Testament times. In other words, to do the same things that were being done in the very beginning, when the church was first established.
The term “restore” is defined as: “bring back (a previous right, practice, custom, or situation); reinstate.”
So, religiously, are either of the two efforts legitimate? Are they needed? Do they please God? Is one better than the other?
There are simple answers to the questions. They all revolve around the question, “Must we do what God wants us to do?” Has God established a pattern for Christians to follow in their lives, especially in regard to their work together in the church? The answer to this question is undoubtedly, YES! The New Testament serves as a pattern for us to follow as we live our lives today. With that in mind, the commands God gave to Christians in the pages of the New Testament are commands we are to follow. The actions of Christians that were met with divine approval are actions we can do today, but the actions that received the condemnation of God are still condemned today. God is no respecter of persons, (cf. Acts 10:34), so we “…must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Knowing this, it is easy to answer the questions we have asked. It is legitimate to reform practices? If we acknowledge that “better”, or “best” is God’s way, then a practice that has departed from the “best” needs to be changed in order to improve it. Of course, such a reform can rightly be called a restoration back to the “better” original practice.
Are such reforms needed? Yes! Jesus decried the changes the Pharisees made, as they were “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition…” (Mark 7:13). When men make changes to God’s way, what they do is never an improvement. Our purpose is to please God, not ourselves. So, we must change back to the original!
Do reforms please God? They do if by reforming a practice they manage to restore it to the original practice. If a “reformation” is perceived to be better, but it still has its origin in the mind of man rather than God, it falls short and fails to please Him.
Restoration best describes our responsibility. If we have departed from God’s will, the only acceptable action is full restoration of said practice to align with God’s word!
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