OP: Q1: "
Were the "reformers" inspired and lead by the (God) Holy Spirit? "
A1:
YES!!!
ALL Scripture is "God-breathed" (spirit-inspired) AND "Superintended" (by God the Holy Spirit)
My Christ-Following VIEWS:
The Bible (Scripture) is the
supreme authority when compared to other writings and precepts.
(including "Tradition" AND "Magisterium = "SCRIPTURA SUPREMA)
All of the ACTUAL WORDS therein were "Spirit- Inspired", and "superintended" by God.
The ~40 authors and their scribes recorded these words in "original manuscripts" (MSS) which were without error.
Systematic study of Scripture leads one to the conclusion that it is:
God's supreme way of speaking to Man.
The "economy" or God's methods of relating to Man changed from Old Testament times to New Testament
due to the historical appearance of:
Jesus of Nazareth, The Divine Messiah, The Christ, The God-Man., Son of God, Son of Man, etc
The Bible as a piece of literature is withhout peer, and
it has been
MIRACULOUSLY remembered, inspired, dictated, written, copied, translated, preserved, interpreted, and distributed.
NOTE: all verses from NASB!
RELIABILITY of the 4 Gospels and "Dr." Luke's investigations in at least Acts 1-12:
John 14:26 ....
Jesus to his followers: Upper Room Discourse
"But the Counselor, (God) the Holy Spirit, (Spirit of Truth) whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (
PERFECT spirit-led RECALL)
.
What the Bible says about itself:
2 Timothy 3: 14-17...All Scripture is God-breathed
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,because you know those from whom you learned it,
15 and how from infancy you have known the
holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
John 20:30-31 (NIV); 21:25...
that you may BELIEVE...the historical BOOKS!
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that by believing you may have life in his name.
21:25 Jesus did many other things as well.
If every one of them were written down,
I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
2 Peter 1: 19-21...
Bible "produced" by Men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
So we have the prophetic WORD (Scripture) made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But know this first of all, that
no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but
men moved by (God) the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Luke 24:27, 32, 44-45...
the post-resurrection super BIBLE study...He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures
he (Jesus) explained to them (2 Emmaus followers) what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
They said to one another,
"Were not our hearts burning within us (Holy Spirit?) while He was speaking to us on the road,
while He (Jesus) was explaining the Scriptures to us?"
(...at the "fish fry" to His followers)
Now He said to them,
"These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
QUESTION: Please PRECISELY DEFINE: "Reformation" or "reformed"
A2:
The non-RCC spiritual movement:
The FIVE "SOLA's
1 Sola scriptura ...>("by Scripture alone")
2 Sola fide ...> ("by Faith alone")
3 Sola gratia ...> ("by Grace alone")
4 Solus Christus(o)...> ("Christ alone" or "through Christ alone")
5 Soli Deo gloria...> ("glory to God alone")
REF:
Five solae - Wikipedia
The 3 "legs" of RCC theology "stool"?:
1. Scripture
2. "Church Tradition" (early "church father's" writings)
3. " Magisterium" (~= papal decrees)
"Sola scriptura" has evolved into
"SCRIPTURA SUPREMA"