500 Years Ago, The Protestant Reformation and the Freedom of Galatians

In this episode of Faith at Work, Pastor Harry Jarrett of Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia, takes us back 500 years to the Great Reformation and asks what it means for our discipleship right now. Beginning with Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, Harry explores how a church in crisis became the birthplace of multiple reform movements, including the Anabaptists, who insisted on voluntary faith, a church separate from state power, and a costly commitment to peace.Along the way, Harry highlights a fascinating shared thread across reformers: the book of Galatians. Luther read Galatians as the heartbeat of justification by grace through faith; the Anabaptists embraced that grace while emphasizing Galatians as freedom for Spirit-shaped obedience, community, and enemy love. Harry then connects these streams to the Church of the Brethren, clarifying our roots in Radical Pietism and the founding witness of Alexander Mack, with practices like believer's baptism, the love feast, and feet washing, anointing for healing, simple living, and a radical peace testimony.This is not just a history lesson. It is an invitation. What reformation does God require of us today? If we have lost conversion, costly discipleship, distinctive practices, separation from cultural captivity, or the substance of our peace witness, what might faithfulness look like now? With urgency and hope, Harry calls listeners to a fresh reformation marked by trust in Christ, daily cross bearing, genuine community, reconciliation, and generous simplicity. Get full access to Harry Jarrett at pastorharryjarrett.substack.com/subscribe