Simply Put – "Ad Fontes"

Host: Barry Cooper (on behalf of Ligonier Ministries)
Episode Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode of Simply Put breaks down the meaning and importance of the phrase "Ad Fontes"—a rallying cry of the Reformation that means "to the sources." Barry Cooper explains how the Reformers' call to return to Scripture’s pure, original sources was vital then, and remains essential for today’s believers. Using the analogy of bottled mineral water, Cooper demonstrates why Christians must go back to the Bible itself rather than rely solely on second-hand interpretations.

Episode Overview

• Main Theme: Understanding "Ad Fontes" (to the sources) and its implications for Christian faith and doctrine.
• Purpose: Encourage listeners to return directly to the Bible—the "source" of truth—and not be content with interpretations and teachings alone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Analogy: Bottled Mineral Water

Timestamp: 00:00–01:40

• Barry Cooper uses the rise of bottled water to illustrate humanity’s preference for purity and authenticity.
  • "All of us would much rather drink water from its pure source than drink that same water once it's travelled a long way downstream and pass through all sorts of potential impurities." (00:55)
• Just as people now seek out water "bottled at the source," Christians should desire the pure teaching of Scripture, not filtered or altered by layers of tradition or mistranslation.

Ad Fontes: The Reformers’ Rallying Cry

Timestamp: 01:40–03:00

• The Latin phrase "ad fontes" means "to the fountainhead" or "to the sources."
• Originally a slogan of Renaissance humanism, it was adopted by the Reformers to call Christians back to Scripture as the singular, pure source of truth.
• Key quote:
  • "Scripture is the source, the fountainhead of all true wisdom, because it alone is God’s Word." (02:13)
• While tradition and teachings have value, only Scripture is without error and free from impurities.

The Importance of the Original Languages

Timestamp: 03:00–04:01

• Reformers emphasized accessing the Bible in its original Greek and Hebrew, bypassing centuries of potentially flawed translations.
  • "When the Reformers talked about going back to God's Word, they were specifically talking about God's Word in the original languages." (03:10)
• Cites the Latin Vulgate’s problematic translations and its influence on doctrine in the medieval church.
  • The phrase ad fontes even appears in the Vulgate in Psalm 42.

Reformers in Action: Erasmus, Luther, and Tyndale

Timestamp: 04:01–04:53

• Erasmus publishes his Greek and Latin New Testament in 1516; Luther posts his 95 theses soon after, challenging Vulgate translations.
  • "Luther posted his explosive 95 theses, the very first of which challenged the Vulgate's mistaken translation of the Greek word for repentance..." (04:14)
• The push to make Scripture accessible in the vernacular—Luther’s German New Testament and Tyndale’s English—flowed from the desire to let "all people, regardless of status," access pure biblical teaching (04:38).

The Enduring Principle: Return to the Source

Timestamp: 04:53–05:24

• Jesus and Paul modeled this principle, calling people to verify teaching directly with Scripture.
  • "Jesus... told his hearers at one point, 'You are wrong because you do not know the Scriptures.'" (04:57)
  • Luke commends Bereans who "examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were true." (05:09)

Application for Listeners

Timestamp: 05:24–END

• Even with high-quality Bible translations today, Christians often settle for indirect exposure ("sermons, books, or podcasts") instead of engaging personally with Scripture.
  • "How much time do we spend in any given week actually drinking from the source?" (05:36)
• The call: Return ad fontes. Read and reflect on the Bible, testing all teachings by the original source.
  • "Let’s return ad fontes and drink deeply from the source to see whether the things we’re being taught are true." (05:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Go back to the source was a crucial slogan in the Reformation of the church in the 16th century." — Barry Cooper (01:41)
• "Unlike the purity of God's Word, which is without error, traditions could contain impurities." — Barry Cooper (02:20)
• "They wanted to produce more accurate translations... even everyday folks could get closer to the source themselves." — Barry Cooper (03:41)
• "Ad fontes ought to be our rallying cry, too." — Barry Cooper (05:24)
• "How much time do we spend in any given week actually drinking from the source?" — Barry Cooper (05:36)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–01:40: Introduction; bottled water analogy
• 01:40–03:00: Origin and meaning of "ad fontes"
• 03:00–04:01: Focus on original biblical languages and purity of Scripture
• 04:01–04:53: Historical context; influence of the Reformers
• 04:53–05:24: Biblical examples from Jesus and Paul
• 05:24–END: Modern application; call to "return ad fontes"

Final Takeaway

This episode encourages listeners to prioritize Scripture itself—the true "source"—over accumulated traditions, translations, or teachings. The Reformers' urgent plea, "ad fontes," remains vital. As Barry Cooper challenges, let’s “drink deeply from the source” and ensure our beliefs are truly rooted in God’s Word.