Lutheran Ping!
Be rooted in Christ!
Posted on 10/19/2012 6:08:32 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
This year, I’ve found a new way to celebrate October 31st – popularly known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween. I’m heading to Germany to celebrate Reformation Day, Martin Luther, and my Christian heritage.
Martin Luther, who was a law student turned Augustinian monk, committed an act on October 31, 1517 that forever changed the church and western civilization.
[SNIP]
I will be in what is now called Lutherstadt Wittenberg for its Reformation Day Festival. And I’ll be doing a tour of towns and cities that were a part of Martin’s life. More to come in my column about that journey which I expect will be one more piece of life-changing faith travel for me.
But maybe you can’t get to Germany and you’d appreciate an alternative idea for observing something besides what has become the most celebrated holiday in public schools.
According to Brad Winsted, director of Children’s Ministry International there is an alternative to parading ghoulish symbols with roots in the occult and pagan Celtic tribes of modern day Scotlandand Ireland. The kids have fun and also learn about their heritage.
“Kids can dress up as characters from the Reformation,” he said, “like John Calvin, Martin Luther, a peasant, and even John Tetzel – the salesman of those infamous indulgences.” Transform your church fellowship hall into Wittenberg, Germany or Geneva, Switzerland. Have adults and older kids explain what Luther means by grace alone, Christ alone, Scripture alone, etc. “Show a video about one of the reformers,” he continues. “And draw murals of Reformation events.”
Medieval line dancing can be part of the fest too, he said. It’s much like Scottish line dancing. And medieval relay races (put the indulgences in the bottle), bobbing for apples, German covered dish dinner, and acting out your Reformation character.
(Excerpt) Read more at communities.washingtontimes.com ...
....“Kids can dress up as characters from the Reformation,” he said, “like John Calvin, Martin Luther, a peasant, and even John Tetzel – the salesman of those infamous indulgences.” Transform your church fellowship hall into Wittenberg, Germany or Geneva, Switzerland. Have adults and older kids explain what Luther means by grace alone, Christ alone, Scripture alone, etc.
Wow... sounds thrilling!! /sarc
Ping
Ironic, I suppose, that were Martin Luther alive today, he would likely be far more in agreement with the Catholic church than at least the leadership of the Lutheran church.
In fact, he might even demand that the current Lutheran leaders be charged with heresy.
“Martin Luther, who was a law student turned Augustinian monk, committed an act on October 31, 1517 **that forever changed the church and western civilization.**
Yes, and what a change, thousands of ‘little popes’ as he called them himself...all claiming the bible only and faith only, and all splintering the visible body of Christ on earth into a bunch of squabbling sects of varioud forms of christianity...thank God the Bark of St Peter continues resolutely on......
martin, hope you are happy....
Fellows, I'm on shaky ground when I try to muddle through religious doctrine, but I think a Freeper pointed out (years ago) that both Catholics and Protestants have benefitted from the Reformation. The “visible body of Christ on Earth” is now splintered into Bible believers and the “buffet” spiritualists. These are self-described “Christians” who are not inconvenienced by Biblical tenets — a variation on “The Church of What's Happening Now,” so to speak.
Ummmmm...I’ll take Halloween, thanks anyway.
Much better than Samhain day. I am a hardcore Reformed Calvinist.
Be rooted in Christ!
Be rooted in Christ!
I just got back from there a week ago. It was a wonderful experience. We were in Wittenberg and Wartburg Castle as well as family sites.
No thanks.
Please, please do not confuse the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod with the apostate Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ELCA is not Lutheran at all. Poor Martin would be appalled to see how his name is being used.
Fixed it.
Thanks.
Now that I’m LCMC I’m getting pretty sensitive about being tarred with the one-size-don’t-fit-all “Lutheran” brush.
The term “Lutheran” doesn’t mean much any more—neither does the name “Christian”
Many years ago, I knew an elderly Lutheran, college history professor who was a great expert of all elements of the Reformation. Brilliant but entering his dotage, in one class, for an hour and a half, he passionately and accurately argued both the Lutheran and Catholic arguments with himself.
The students were at first somewhat amused, then confused, but the light dawned that they were watching a once in a lifetime performance, the last great artistry of a scholarly career.
He wasn’t teaching, he was reenacting. It was a sight to see.
Truly a gift...a memory to be treasured.
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