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October 2006 – It is a mark of our changing times that many people have only a vague idea who Martin Luther is. Most of us have heard his name but we’re not sure where he’s from or what he did or when he lived. Some of us even get him mixed up with someone else. I would venture to say that most of us are aware of the fact that Martin Luther was a religious leader who managed somehow to get a whole denomination named after himself. And some of us are probably aware that Martin Luther had something...

“A Reformation in Catechesis” (John 8:31-36)“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” This is the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he spoke in John 8:31-32. His word is truth, and this truth sets us free. Free from all our sins, and from our slavery to sin. Free from the burden of the law, which would crush us with its demands we can never meet. Free from our bondage to death and the grave, free to live forever. Yes, “if the Son...

I’ve just returned from Heidelberg, Germany, where I joined brothers and sisters from around the world to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism. In addition to illuminating papers and warm fellowship, we enjoyed one of the city’s several museum exhibits celebrating the anniversary. Of special note was the Heidelberg Palace exhibit, “The Power of Faith: 450 Years of the Heidelberg Catechism.” Frederick III, ruler of the Palatinate and imperial elector, was nicknamed “the pious” by fellow princes. Embracing Reformed teaching, he was distressed with the low level of knowledge of even the basics of the Christian faith in...

Today is the 504th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin (July 10, 1509). Here are nine things you should know about the French theologian and Reformer.

Today, June 25, is the anniversary of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, which happened in 1530. Now it was not just one monk saying “Here I stand.” The Reformation had become a movement. Read it today. (Non-Lutherans, what do you think?) After the jump, background on the event and how this particular confession ties the Reformation to the church universal. From Herbert Mueller, first Vice-President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod: October 31 is rightly celebrated as Reformation Day, the day in 1517 Martin Luther published 95 Theses for debate, an action considered to be one of the sparks...

The report sets out liturgy for a civil partnership blessing, along with the traditional view of marriage. A report for the Church of Scotland on same-sex relationships has suggested an order of service for a civil partnership blessing.The liturgy contains ideas for scripture readings, including passages about David and Jonathan, and Ruth and Naomi. The report by the special Theological Commission, which was appointed in 2011, also presents the traditional view of marriage as between a man and a woman.Opinion The Church of Scotland said the report described the breadth of theological opinion that existed and did not represent...

THE PROTESTANT PRETENDED REFORMATION
IS NOT THE WORK OF GOD CHAPTER I.     Q. Can any one reasonably believe that the change in religion brought about by Luther is the work of God?     A. No one can believe it, unless he be utterly ignorant of the true nature of religion, and very unlearned in the matters of history.
     Q. Why do you make this answer?
     A. Because, in the first place, the author of the Reformation is not a man of God; secondly, because his work is not the work of God; thirdly, because the means which he...

In 1517, Martin Luther posted a list of 95 Theses on his church's doors. His actions exposed the corruption of the Catholic Church and started what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation. Between the hours of 9 PM Saturday, February 16 and 9 AM Sunday, February 17, 2013, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others will post this list of 95 LDS Theses onto the doors of LDS churches around the world. Join the event here - If you don't use Facebook, you can still participate! The purpose of this event is two-fold:...

In the history of Roman Catholic dogma, one can trace an evolution in the theory of tradition. There were two fundamental patristic principles which governed the early Church's approach to dogma. The first was sola Scriptura in which the fathers viewed Scripture as both materially and formally sufficient. It was materially sufficient in that it was the only source of doctrine and truth and the ultimate authority in all doctrinal controversies. It was necessary that every teaching of the Church as it related to doctrine be proven from Scripture. Thomas Aquinas articulated this patristic view when he stated that canonical...

Luther sensed deeply the stare of Christ the Judge standing over him, demanding of him an impossible level of inner purity. Luther's Upbringing Luther was the second son in a family of eight children. His father and mother were sturdy German Bauern (peasants): coarse, credulous, and devout. Often in the beliefs of these untutored folk, elements of old German paganism blended with the Christian story: woods, winds, and water were peopled by elves, gnomes, fairies, mermen and mermaids, sprites and witches; and witchcraft was taken for granted throughout Europe. Young Luther had ample opportunity to witness the mischief and grief...

I hope your church is celebrating the Reformation this Wednesday in some joyous, contentful way. If so, surely you'll be singing....

In honor of today being Reformation Sunday, this week's feature is "Martin Luther" (1953), an independent film produced by the Lutheran Church about the founder of the Reformation.

“A Lonely Monk, Now Long Ago” (Psalm 119:46)A Lonely Monk, Now Long Ago A lonely monk, now long ago, Nailed truth upon a door; The echoes of that hammer blow Rang out to many more. And when he spoke his “Here I stand,” Although he could be slain, Throughout the realm a growing band Soon followed in his train. Confessors, princes, duty bound, To Augsburg bold they came; Before the king they stood their ground And were not put to shame. Their good confession made that day Proved not to be in vain; Gird us their sons, Lord, that we...

This is the sixth and final post in my blog series, titled: The Price of Liberty. If you’re just now starting the series, you can begin with the first post here. During the middle of the nineteenth century, spiritual conditions in the United States deteriorated considerably. Conditions were quite different then because the nation had moved away from its early days of godliness. Moreover, people became obsessed with making money, and as they prospered they turned their backs on God. Then a man named Jeremiah Lanphier began a prayer meeting in the upper room of the Dutch Reformed Church in...

In my experience with those who wrestle with conversion to Roman Catholicism—at least those who have professed faith in the gospel, the driving theological issue is authority. How can I be certain that what I believe is true? The gospel of free grace through the justification of sinners in Christ alone moves to the back seat. Instead of the horse, it becomes the cart. Adjustments are made in their understanding of the gospel after accepting Rome’s arguments against sola scriptura. I address these remarks to friends struggling with that issue. Reformation Christians can agree with Augustine when he said that...

There is not one Islam. This statement leads us to the question: what Islam predominates? Judging from what we can see in Arab countries, we can say that most of them are fascist, dictatorship, monarchies and autocracies. Some of them were radicalized by theocrats like in the case of Iran or Afganistan under the rule of Taliban. However most of Muslim countries are run by secular dictators like Assad in Syria, Mubarak in Egypt before his fall, Saddam Hussain in Iraq or monarchs in Gulf States. In many ways they have fueled radical Islam.... that Quran is open for interpretation...

One of the distinctions of Reformation and Lutheran Christian preaching that I have found life changing is the proper distinction of Law and Gospel. I don't have enough time or space here to do this proper justice, but this distinction has truly changed my view of life and given me hope rather than dread in my Christian life. The core of this doctrine is that God's Law (summarized in the Ten Commandments and expanded upon by Jesus) reveals our sin, it shows how we are desperately sinful people incapable of delivering ourselves through our own efforts at morality. A lot...

In honor of Reformation Day, here are some complaints I’m nailing on the Wittenberg door. Long before there was an Occupy Wall Street, Martin Luther staged the most important protest in history. He was upset because Roman Catholic officials were promising people forgiveness or early escape from purgatory in exchange for money. So on October 31, 1517, Luther nailed a long list of complaints on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. 1. Let’s reform our theology. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is God and He is holy. He is not an “it.”...

Death is the wages of sin (Rom 6:23) and Jesus Christ had none (Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5; 2 Cor 5:21). Death, therefore, had no rightful claim on Him thus Jesus died an unnatural death. This means that Jesus, the true remnant of Israel, alone fulfilled the covenant from our side, pleasing God. And all who are united to Him share in His distinction that death has no rightful claim on them (6:23b). So Jesus alone is our focus, our religion, our righteousness. Yet we still, as Christians often get caught up in our own spirituality. That...