VOLUME 1 ISSUE 14NOVEMBER 1, 2007
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get a little stressed over the expectations others seem to force on me. I like a little breathing space once and a while. Just because I am a Christian, somehow I am supposed to be the perfect saint. It’s not that I set out to be bad – intentionally inconsistent and inconsiderate – or anything like that, but I’m not perfect! My halo is broken, sometimes missing!
I don’t mind God having those expectations of me, and even have Him remind me on occasions. The difference then is this: I know He also offers grace and forgiveness, something I don’t always receive from the world (and even the church). Now common sense tells me that I can’t use grace as an excuse for irresponsibility, which would be to mock God, and I don’t want to do that. I’m just seeking a little recognition, that this side of heaven, you are not likely to be thinking of me on November 1st! A saint I ain’t!
All Saints Day comes from the feast kept on November 1 in what we call the western branch of Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost Sunday in the eastern branch. Its origins are uncertain. A hymn as early as 359 refers to a commemoration of all martyrs on May 13 and a sermon a few years later shows that the church in Antioch remembered its martyrs on the Sunday after Pentecost. Eventually the feasts included remembering the saints. Sometime between 731 and 741 Gregory III dedicated an oratory on November 1 “to all the saints”.
There is certainly know harm in being inspired by the lives of Christian servants who have demonstrated great courage in persecution and trial, who have left us a marvelous example of how to live by faith (check out Hebrews 11 sometime). But through history certain Christians have been ‘officially’ designated as saints. Some Christians even pray to these saints, and assign some kind of divine influence in their lives. I would urge some careful thought here, for I want my theology to match up to Scripture. The Bible makes it clear that all who follow Christ are really saints, set apart unto God, consecrated and holy. So I guess with that understanding you can call me “Saint Doug”.
Dear friend and saint – have a good day!
Ps. all you First Brockville saints should click firstplacenews to stay up-to-date.
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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31, 2007 - VOLUME 1 ISSUE 13
Oct. 31, 1517
So what is on your door today? Who will be hanging around your doorstep tonight? Back in 1517 the church door was the local bulletin board, and people would stop to get caught up on community news.
The Castle Church door in Wittenberg is now famous because a bold, controversial monk nailed 95 theological statements to that door October 31, 1517. Martin Luther’s document was shot through with outbursts of outrage and anguish. You could hear his heart’s pain as he documented current church policy and practice that didn’t match up with Scripture. Martin was outraged that the church was deceiving the common people.
His biggest concern was the sale of indulgences – promises that your loved ones would spend less time in purgatory if you did penance and/or made a donation to the church. Luther, who studied the verses of the New Testament carefully, knew there could be no Biblical foundation for such a scam. Christ alone forgives. Proper penance requires repentance not priestly confession. The treasure of the church is God’s grace. And so on he wrote, 95 theses in all.
It was a gutsy move. No blind allegiance to the church in this guy!
His goal was not to force a breach with the papacy, nor to found a new denomination. He simply wanted to get on with making the truth of Scripture known to all. Luther was troubled that the church seemed to be the biggest roadblock to this task. Martin saw a scandal, drew it to the Pope’s attention, and was confident that that scandal would be suppressed.
The result? Six months later church leaders began to attack Luther and his ideas, calling him a heretic. But the groundswell of enthusiasm, freedom and devotion to the Scriptures could not be extinguished!
So while you are tempted to think about kids and candy tonight, remember that this day is famous for a courageous act that still inspires Christian leaders to be true to Scripture, to obey God’s leading, and challenge the stale and sometimes rotting status quo.
Here’s to all of you who will nail the important stuff to your wall today!
Doug
The Castle Church door in Wittenberg is now famous because a bold, controversial monk nailed 95 theological statements to that door October 31, 1517. Martin Luther’s document was shot through with outbursts of outrage and anguish. You could hear his heart’s pain as he documented current church policy and practice that didn’t match up with Scripture. Martin was outraged that the church was deceiving the common people.
His biggest concern was the sale of indulgences – promises that your loved ones would spend less time in purgatory if you did penance and/or made a donation to the church. Luther, who studied the verses of the New Testament carefully, knew there could be no Biblical foundation for such a scam. Christ alone forgives. Proper penance requires repentance not priestly confession. The treasure of the church is God’s grace. And so on he wrote, 95 theses in all.
It was a gutsy move. No blind allegiance to the church in this guy!
His goal was not to force a breach with the papacy, nor to found a new denomination. He simply wanted to get on with making the truth of Scripture known to all. Luther was troubled that the church seemed to be the biggest roadblock to this task. Martin saw a scandal, drew it to the Pope’s attention, and was confident that that scandal would be suppressed.
The result? Six months later church leaders began to attack Luther and his ideas, calling him a heretic. But the groundswell of enthusiasm, freedom and devotion to the Scriptures could not be extinguished!
So while you are tempted to think about kids and candy tonight, remember that this day is famous for a courageous act that still inspires Christian leaders to be true to Scripture, to obey God’s leading, and challenge the stale and sometimes rotting status quo.
Here’s to all of you who will nail the important stuff to your wall today!
Doug
SATURDAY OCTOBER 27, 2007 - VOLUME 1 ISSUE 12
WILLING TO PROTEST
WILLING TO PROTEST
FREDERICK III (the wise) (1463 -1525) had his court at Wittenberg. It was a place of artistic and musical activity. He founded the University of Wittenberg in 1502 and to it came Martin Luther in 1511.
Nick-named “the wise” for his reputation for justice and fair play, it was Frederick who had Luther whisked off to the castle after the ‘worms diet’. Wartburg was to be a refuge for the radical leader of what was fast becoming a religious reform movement of international impact - through much of Germany and into the Scandinavian countries.
In March 1522 Luther was able to return to Wittenberg and continue his relentless efforts in theological writing. His desire was to raise the level of Christian understanding among the common people.
Perhaps his greatest single achievement (other than fostering a renewed appreciation of the doctrines emphasizing salvation by grace alone through faith) was getting the Bible into the language of the people. His New Testament translation from Greek to German came out in September of 1522, the entire Bible in 1534.
The Lutheran branch of the Reformed Church is considered moderate/conservative when measured against some of the developments in Switzerland and parts of France. People like Zwingli and Calvin took bigger steps away from the Roman church.
The term ‘Protestant’ relates back to the Diet of Speyer in 1529 where 14 German Princes representing various autonomous city governments ‘protested’ a renewed effort by Emperor Charles V to enforce the Edict of Worms and take seriously the mandate to suppress Lutheranism. They were known as ‘the Protestors’ – and a movement was named.
Protestants believed that they were rediscovering the Christianity of the New Testament which had been obscured by the innovations of medieval Catholicism. Some of the Reformation beliefs were:
*Scripture only
*Salvation by faith, not works
*Assurance of salvation
*Priesthood of all believers
So tomorrow, when you go to worship on Reformation Sunday, be thankful for those who have gone before us. Recognize their willingness to risk, their desire to stand firm on Scripture, their resistance to intimidation, threats and control.
Doug
Nick-named “the wise” for his reputation for justice and fair play, it was Frederick who had Luther whisked off to the castle after the ‘worms diet’. Wartburg was to be a refuge for the radical leader of what was fast becoming a religious reform movement of international impact - through much of Germany and into the Scandinavian countries.
In March 1522 Luther was able to return to Wittenberg and continue his relentless efforts in theological writing. His desire was to raise the level of Christian understanding among the common people.
Perhaps his greatest single achievement (other than fostering a renewed appreciation of the doctrines emphasizing salvation by grace alone through faith) was getting the Bible into the language of the people. His New Testament translation from Greek to German came out in September of 1522, the entire Bible in 1534.
The Lutheran branch of the Reformed Church is considered moderate/conservative when measured against some of the developments in Switzerland and parts of France. People like Zwingli and Calvin took bigger steps away from the Roman church.
The term ‘Protestant’ relates back to the Diet of Speyer in 1529 where 14 German Princes representing various autonomous city governments ‘protested’ a renewed effort by Emperor Charles V to enforce the Edict of Worms and take seriously the mandate to suppress Lutheranism. They were known as ‘the Protestors’ – and a movement was named.
Protestants believed that they were rediscovering the Christianity of the New Testament which had been obscured by the innovations of medieval Catholicism. Some of the Reformation beliefs were:
*Scripture only
*Salvation by faith, not works
*Assurance of salvation
*Priesthood of all believers
So tomorrow, when you go to worship on Reformation Sunday, be thankful for those who have gone before us. Recognize their willingness to risk, their desire to stand firm on Scripture, their resistance to intimidation, threats and control.
Doug
Luther's Bible
Wartburg Castle
Coming next week: What really happened on Oct. 31 1517?
FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2007 - VOLUME 1 ISSUE 11
Sunday October 28 is when the Christian Church reflects on the events of history known as the REFORMATION. You have probably heard of people like Martin Luther and John Calvin.
One of the important events for Martin Luther came in the year 1521. The “diet” was an official church gathering of important leaders, and this one was called by Charles V, (1500-1558; Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain). A pestilence in Nuremberg made it necessary to hold the meeting elsewhere, and the city of Worms was chosen. So it is just a fluke of nature that gave us this attention-getting Reformation event we so affectionately refer to as THE DIET OF WORMS.
The agenda’s main item was ‘what do we do about Martin Luther?’ On April 17 Luther was asked to recant his books and teaching. At his request, he was given 24 hours to think about his response. His response on April 18 is the stuff of which courage and dedication is made!
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.”
What happened next? Martin Luther continued to insist on the authority of Holy Scripture. On April 26 Luther left Worms for his home in Wittenberg. En route he was kidnapped and taken to Wartburg Castle. The Edict of Worms dated May 8, 1521, declared Luther an ‘outlaw’, together with his adherents.
The story continues tomorrow.
As people of The Reformation, take your stand with similar boldness.
Doug
