CEP Continues in
the Spirit of the Reformation
The Protestant Reformation changed history. Things have not
been the same since that transforming event. We think of the Reformation as a return to
biblical authority and the doctrines of grace and the role of the Holy Spirit. Martin
Luther, representing the first wave of the Reformation, focused on certain themes such as
justification by faith alone. John Calvin, representing the second wave, centered more on
the holistic truth versus the parts, starting with the Sovereignty of God over all.
Luther and Calvin came together in their emphasis on the
priesthood of all believers and the role of education in the life of the covenant
community. The Reformation made a definite impact on culture and the world around it, but
it primarily influenced the church and its theology. The reformers reminded us that the
ministry belonged to every believer, not merely to some clerical hierarchy. The Bible was
now to be read by everyone, not just the professionals.
Practically, the Protestant Reformation’s influence
touched the person in the pew first by saying that "the church grows and builds
itself up in love as each part does its work." As God’s priests, believers are
designed to be more than passive responders. They are necessary to the church’s
ministry. The second major area of change centered around Christian education—the
training and equipping of lay people for ministry. The role of the home was viewed as an
extension of the church’s function in instruction, encouraging parents in the process
of educating their covenant children. For Calvin the minister was the key teacher, because
everyone involved in the process of ministry needed Scriptural grounding. Teaching was
crucial to the person’s individual and corporate response to God, and it was vital in
training the believers for the work of ministry.
From the Reformation perspective, the Bible, God’s
inspired and infallible Word, was not given merely to teach facts but to give us a
framework to see God in everything. As the Psalmist eloquently stated, "In His light
we see light." Knowing how to think and live biblically was the Reformation’s
theme. Hence experts in the field of revival have reminded us that genuine revival and
reformation require a renewed emphasis on Christian education and training. Christian
training became the church’s means of extension through evangelism and
education—education that focused on a life centered around God’s sovereign
will. The church of the Reformation centered on the Bible and its message to the people to
enable them to serve His purpose with a biblical world and life view perspective.
The Presbyterian Church in America, through its Christian
Education and Publications Committee, is committed to keeping the spirit of the
Reformation alive in the 21st century. CEP’s case statement reads, "Christian
education matters because the Reformation is not just our heritage, but the world’s
hope." Because of this truth, Reformation Sunday and Christian Education and
Publications belong together. CEP, through its programs, is applying biblically reformed
theology in life transforming ways. Through its ministries, CEP helps local churches
actually do theology in the spirit of the Reformation.
"Today,
as we long for revival in Jesus’ church, turning our
hearts to our children will help straighten the path
which has been made so crooked by our sin, the enemy and
our culture. What a sweet privilege we have to tell
God’s story to the next generation! What a sweet
privilege you have to put your money where your heart
is." 
Audio Recordings
