The Reformation's Impact on Education

On October 31, 2017, many Christians celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the church door, he began a religious reformation AND a cultural reformation that included the educational system.

As a Reformed Christian, I deeply appreciate the impact of the Reformation on faith; as a professional educator, I see the impact of the Reformation on education every single day.

Many of you are asking, how does a religious movement have anything to do with the classroom? More could be written on each of these topics, but let me share briefly a few of my thoughts (remember I'm an educator not a theologian).

95 Theses on a Church Door

It all began with nailing 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. It was the tradition in that day to post issues to debate on the church door; however, few dared to challenge the beliefs (or activities) of the church in these debates. Martin Luther did not want to destroy or split the church with this debate; his goal was to engage in a healthy debate with the leaders of the church on a number of issues, especially the selling of indulgences. He did not, initially at first, want to leave the church but rather to call it back to the Bible. While Martin Luther was initially excommunicated rather than debated, the topic was eventually debated by the entire western world.

So, what does this have to do with education today?

Debating for Learning

One of the best student learning experiences is found in debate ... it is even better when the debate is about a current topic. Debating prepares students to be critical thinkers and effective communicators. Debates can be formal or informal, heavily directed by the teacher or a spur of the moment discussion among students at lunch. Whatever the format, debating is an important part of a rigorous and lively academic culture.

What if every school had a "church door" that students could post objections, questions, and issues to debate?

School Leaders ... Before installing that door and creating a healthy debate culture at your school, remember that Martin Luther challenged the highest authority of his day ... and you can't excommunicate the students for posting an issue. Just kidding ... but you better be ready to debate the best and brightest students in your school.

What would a "church door" debate culture look like in your school?

Priesthood of All Believers

One of the tenets of the Reformation was the "priesthood of all believers." Through Jesus Christ's work on the cross, all who believe in him have "priestly" access to God through prayer and reading God's word. In addition to "priestly" access to God, there is also a "priestly" responsibility to intercede for others who are hurting in this world.

Okay, so how does that relate to education?

Universal Education and Restoration

There are two logical educational conclusions to the Reformation concept of the Priesthood of All Believers: universal education with a focus on restoration.

Coming out of the Medieval Ages, schools before the Reformation were primarily for boys from wealthy families or those studying for the priesthood. Schools were taught in Latin as that was the language of the powerful in that culture.

Martin Luther (and many of the other Reformers) fought to institute universal education for all children, boys and girls from all socio-economic levels. Not only universal education but education  in the vernacular of that culture. If all believers are "priests" then all children should be educated so that they can perform "priestly" duties ... to be able to read the Bible (in the common language), to be able to understand God's word intellectually, and to intercede for others through prayer and acts of service.

While Luther believed strongly in education, he was not an academic elitist. He celebrated both academics and trades as equally honored, God-ordained vocations.

Schools that honor this Reformation principle are ones that welcome all students, focus on developing the whole child, and teach students to use their talents as a living sacrifice for God's glory and service to humanity.

How does your school reflect the "priesthood of all believers"?

Ad Fontes

Another powerful slogan of the reformation was the Latin phrase, ad fontes. This phrase is literally translated as "to the fount" or "to the source" and was interpreted by the Reformers to challenge all Christians to return to the Word of God (the source) to evaluate church practices and the culture of the day. Martin Luther sought to debate the church's practice of selling indulgences because when he went back to the source (ad fontes), he didn't find anything in the Bible to support this church practice.

This is a great reminder for all Christians ... to evaluate church practices and culture in light of God's word, but what does this have to do with education?

Primary Sources

The ad fontes concept is such an important one in education, especially in today's world rife with fake news. In our culture, we have become sloppy researchers and subsequently sloppy thinkers; after all, it is so much easier to do wiki-research rather than digging into primary sources. Students need to be challenged to do "ad fontes" research ... with primary sources, eye witness accounts, quotes in context, etc. Students (and adults alike) quickly "google" to find information and assume that all of the search results are equally true and equally valid.

One of the most important 21st Century skills is evaluating information. Students today must understand the importance of using primary sources and how to evaluate the plethora of information that is at their fingertips.

Students are not the only guilty ones ... adults (of all ages) believe anything posted on social media. Shout-out to my Facebook friends ... look up articles on Snopes.com before sharing with me!  If I comment "ad fontes" on your post, you'll now know what I mean.

Seriously ... students must be taught how to evaluate sources and use primary sources.  Ad Fontes indeed!


When historians list events that changed the world, the Reformation is usually listed in the top 10. While the theological points of the Reformation were essential to a change in the church, the Reformation's impact changed the world ... including the world of education.

Happy 500th Birthday!