To celebrate, I thought we could sing what's become the hymn of the Reformation: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." Here are the words in case you don't know it. Here's a video of Steven Green singing it a capella:
For those of you who miss the organ can sing to this video:
Then enjoy a cute video (which I think I've posted before) on the gist of the Reformation. If you don't know how it started, this video will give you some idea:
Then I thought we could read the 95 Thesis that Luther nailed to the door of the church in Wittenberg 491 years ago. BTW, he didn't intend to start a movement when he nailed the document to the door (as if it were a declaration of independence from the Catholic church :-), he was interested in a debate and that was the way to start one in his day. He didn't want to start his own church, he was interested in reforming the Catholic church as were many others in his day.
And finally, for your listening pleasure, the Martin Luther rap:
And as a bonus, the Lego version of Luther nailing the 95 Thesis to the door:
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I always enjoy singing A Mighty Fortress in church ... we don't sing it enough, imo.
Do you know every image in the second video? I don't, 'though I can guess at some. For instance, St. George in armor holding a dragon by the tail? The whole thing is like Sgt. Pepper's cover.
I know MzEllen can tell me in 25 words or less, but this annual holiday is a good reason for y'all to ask yourselves again about your stand, as IM does in this unbeatable post on indulgences:
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/father-smith-instructs-jackson-on-indulgences-a-reformation-day-consideration
(and, little surprise, I don't actually care for Mark Shea's facile comments there)
Being "sure as sure" shouldn't be an excuse to avoid deep consideration.
Pax.
My stand on the Reformation? No, I cannot do it in 25 words or less, because it is too full for that.
God is sovereign. I am saved, not because I am good but because God is good. There is nothing that I can do or say or buy that will gain me favor with God. The only thing that purchases me is the blood of Christ, shed on the cross as the once and forever sacrifice.
I didn't come from a Reformed background...I grew up with legalism, rules, constantly trying to be "good enough"...and when I realized that my goodness was more of a obstacle to my falling on the grace of God than my badness was, the extent of God's grace became more evident (not that it can be fully seen this side of the grave.)
Either it was finished on the cross, or it was not. Either I need to continue to work for my salvation, or Christ accomplished it. Either it is all of grace, or it is "mostly of grace and a little bit of me".
That is what my personal Reformation did - it made me come face to face with how incapable I am of accomplishing my own salvation, it made me look my sin full in the face and it sent me to my knees in front of Christ, the Son of the Living God.
It was Christ's blood that was shed, and it accomplishes salvation for those who believe.
No, I cannot do it in 25 words or less,
I'm teasing you, of course, 'though I admire your general economy with words when it comes to matters of faith. And I read your blog on occasion, so this you've given is familiar.
I hope you read IM as I found it very interesting.
:-)
IM is also in my blogfeed.
(I have way too many folders but I have one that I put a limit of 5 blogs at a time. It's labeled "I really like".
Of the 5 that are in there now, Internet Monk is one, somebody who has "two cents" in the title is another. On really busy days, I don't read the other blogs, but I read these without fail (mostly)
I am flattered. I'd like to comment on the young ruler post ... after looking at some commentaries so I don't say anything too heretical. :-) Pax.
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