Luther and the Reformation:
What it all Means
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This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. On October 31st 1517, Martin Luther, a Professor of Biblical Theology, published his 95 theses by pinning them to the door of the Castle church in the German town of Wittenberg. These were provocative statements inviting public debate over what Luther saw as corruption by the church.
Luther's action began the Reformation, a movement which set out to reform the church, and which gave birth to the Protestant church.
Some see the Reformation as an unnecessary loss of unity in the church. Others view it as a movement which returned the church to its roots. This week we will look at some aspects of the Reformation and how it has changed the church. We will listen, too, to the voice of Martin Luther.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95: 1 - 2 [NIV]
Before the Reformation, singing hymns was not part of normal church life. Luther, himself a good musician, changed all that and wrote hymns with catchy tunes for congregational worship. Here is part of one of his best-known hymns, Ein feste Burg:
A sure, safe refuge is our God,
a good defence and weapon:
He helps us from the mortal need
that now on us has fallen.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the men and women through the ages who have sought to make the message of the gospel clear. Help us to live in the light of that same gospel message and bring glory to you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
David Long
Here are some books which will help you to find out more about the Reformation:
Luther and his world, Graham Tomlin, Lion. A short introduction.
Here I stand, Roland Bainton, various publishers. The classic biography.
Why the Reformation still matters, Michael Reeves and Tim Chester, IVP. The theology of Luther and other reformers.
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