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| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 2226 Registered: 3-2005 |
On this day when we will be passing out candy for a different holiday, let us take the time to remember another very important holiday on the Lutheran calendar. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the Wittenberg door, and so the shock waves of the Protestant Reformation were sparked. 489 years later, the church is still disputing these great issues of the Reformation. There are so many interesting aspects to Luther's life that I think are worth remembering on this important anniversary. Luther was a great hymn writer, and he was known as an innovator when it came to music, as he was considered a liberal in his day, since he brought musical instruments into church, and in fact "A Mighty Fortress" was a german pub tune which was turned into a great hymn, "A mighty fortress is our God" A bulwark never failing: our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe. doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great: and armed with cruel hate. on earth is not his equal." ------------------------------------------------- Several different bloggers are remembering Reformation day in different ways. One blog I have really come to appreciate is the one by a former Muslim named Thabiti M. Anyabwile, and now a Reformed Baptist pastor on the beautiful island of Grand Cayman. His conversion story from Islam to Christianity is truly a remarkable testimony to God's sovereign grace. Today on his blog, is posted his tribute to the Reformation and it is quite stirring: http://purechurch.blogspot.com/2006/10/reformation-day-reflections.html#links Here is an excerpt: What does a German monk nailing a long list of complaints on a church door have to do with an African American ministering in a small, international Caribbean island? Lutherís world and my own couldnít be farther apart it seems. But on closer inspection, I would not be in Cayman if it were not for that massive Christian church split some 500 years ago. Iíve been thinking a lot about church splits latelyÖ and this one I am quite thankful for. I could wish that the result had been sweeping reform in the Roman Catholic Church. But failing that, Iím thrilled for the recovery of the Gospel. If there had been no recovery of the Gospel of Jesus Christóthe grand promise of justification in the sight of God by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God aloneóI and most African-Americans and Caribbean peoples would likely be utterly and eternally lost today. The greatest miracle of the Reformation is that enslaved Africans heard, above the din of rattling chains and the back-slashing crack of whips, the free Gospel call at the hands of slave traders and many less-than-heroic gospel preachers in the plantation south. That untutored Africans, imprisoned in a foreign land and surrounded by hostile wilderness, heard with clarity the learned oracles of Christ, were spiritually set free, and found the glorious banks of Zion is astounding! "However crude, however hampered by their conditions, however assaulted and persecuted by white brothers and sisters in Christ, the Reformation found expression among African descended peoples. There was every earthly reason why it should not have happened. But the one heavenly reason why it should ñ justification by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone ñ prevailed even among the meanest slaves of the south and the Caribbean." "You seeÖ this gospel truly makes everything level at the foot of the cross. The conversion of African Americans and Afro-Caribbean peoples proves this. Despite caste and castigation, slaves came to Jesus! Itís inexplicable apart from the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Why would the masterís Master become the Master of the mastered? Because He is Master of all." ------------------------------------------------- Let us not forget the importance of the Protestant Reformation as the truths revived on that day are a lasting inspiration to us as we rejoice in the everlasting gospel of God's grace. The grace that brought us out of the bondage of legalism and Adventism had its roots in Martin Luther. This legacy was continued in the ministry of Dr. Desmond Ford as he stood up to the pope and cardinals of Adventism and revived the great truths of the gospel even to Adventists, who for the most part became former Adventists. The motto of the Reformation still resounds today Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone be the Glory) Stan | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 457 Registered: 10-2002  |
This last Sunday we went to visit some friends' church... it's a Lutheran church, and I'd completely forgotten that it was the end of October, haha. I made a couple pictures of the event and wrote a few thoughts here on our art blog: http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/2006/10/re-formation.html The event that sparked the reformation is particularly poignant for us as Former Adventists, I think. In Adventism we celebrated Luther & the Reformation, and saw ourselves as the torch-bearers of the Reformation (goodness, I need to get my hands on a copy of that Geoffrey Paxton book!), but we missed the central pillar... "by faith, not by Law" (or "by grace, not by works"). In Adventism, we latched only onto the "Catholicism is wrong!" part of the Reformation. The main reason we thought Catholicism was wrong was that they supposedly changed the Sabbath to Sunday. After that, yeah, Church Authority versus Scripture. But the Sabbath was the main thing. In other words, we thought the Reformation was more about the purifying of Laws, not about faith instead of the law. So coming to know Christ, to live in Him by faith, to know that His grace saves us, to know that the Law is nailed to the Cross, to know the light of the New Covenant! to know all these, has been like experiencing the "re-formation" all over again. I say "re-form" because maybe it's felt like Christ has been "re-formed" inside of us. Yes, we believed. Many of us were born of the Spirit in Adventism. We were saved there, but we probably did not realize it, nor were we able to understand that we were saved. When Adventism came apart for us, it was like the blinders came off and we began to Jesus more for who He really is. Who He is in our sight was forever "re-formed", and we began to learn who we are in His sight! We began to learn that we are indeed saved in Him! And our understanding of who we are in Him was forever "re-formed".  Happy Reformation Day everybody! Blessings in Jesus Christ! Ramone Osaka, Japan | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 261 Registered: 6-2006  |
Happy Reformation Day Stan and Ramone ~ and everyone! Stan, Soli Deo Gloria! Ramone, what you wrote touched me. It actually gave me new insight to my husband and his family. Thank you. Our sermon Sunday of course was on the Reformation. Normally we have a reinactment by our pastor friend who dresses up like Martin Luther and tells his story in a German accent. However this year our senior pastor gave an awesome sermon on the freedom in Christ. Being that at the time the Catholic church was SO corrupt, and so oppresive, the Reformation brought freedom to the people. It was a wonderful illustration and as I posted in the prayers section, a blessing to me and my husband. Now let's go nail a thesis up somewhere! Whoo hoo!! Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4877 Registered: 12-2003  |
Happy Reformation Day! Thanks, Stan, for reminding usóand Ramone, I really resonated with your post about being born again within Adventism but not knowing it or being able to experience it until Adventism fell apart for us. That is so true! Hey, Leigh Anne, I'll help you nail up that thesis...! Colleen | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 130 Registered: 2-2003 |
Happy Reformation Day!! Were any of you taught that if Martin Luther had heard the Sabbath message/SDA message he would have accepted it? I remember hearing this in school. How absurd!!! After reading a biography of his life and writings of his, most notably "The Bondage of the Will" I believe that Luther would have called Adventism what it is - HERESY!! Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Leigh | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 263 Registered: 6-2006 |
Leigh, I sure never heard that in my Lutheran church. Absurd is right! I would imagine that he would nail a thesis up on the SDA church door right after the Catholic one... What's your middle name? Leigh Anne | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 131 Registered: 2-2003 |
Leigh is my middle name. | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 264 Registered: 6-2006 |
Ah! Well, isn't it a pretty name?! ;) Leigh Anne | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 2229 Registered: 3-2005 |
Leigh, Actually Martin Luther did have a conversation with Karlstadt who was a seventh-day sabbatarian, and they discussed the subject for about one week. Then Luther rejected Sabbatarianism out of hand and said we should break it in every possible way and even dance on it. Stan | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 597 Registered: 7-2004  |
Stan, Without become too controversial the version of A Mighty Fortress that you have quoted does not reflect an accurate translation of Luther's concepts. Lutheran hymnals reject this version, which was written by a unitarian minister. http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/UIA%20Online/42hedge.html This issue came up on CARM recently because one of the SDA pastors (Kevin Morgan) was trying to make the case that even Luther recognized humans would vindicate God because of the line that His truth "will triumph through us.î A Lutheran then pointed out thatís Hedgeís translation which is a perversion and inaccurate, and that Lutheran hymnals do not have that version. In comparing the two versions, my wife found one other interesting difference in verse 2, where the Lutheran translation clearly shows the deity of Christ, and Hedgeís translation leaves that more open. Hedge Verse 2: Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of Godís own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, And He must win the battle. Lutheran Verse 2: With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is. Of Sabbath Lord, and thereís none other God; He holds the field forever. Hedge Verse 3: And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. Lutheran Verse 3: Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us. We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us. This worldís prince may still scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none, heís judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him. After comparing the theology of these two versions, I don't think I can ever be comfortable singing Hedge's version again. Lyrics matter! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4882 Registered: 12-2003 |
Amen, Rick! Lyrics matter! That is so interesting. Without doubt Hedge's version is a perversion. Thanks for sharing the comparison. Colleen | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 859 Registered: 4-2000  |
Happy Reformation Day to all! I have a longtime, online Wiccan friend (a former Catholic) in Riverside, California. He just wished me a "Happy Halloween" of all things. Many are truly "missing the boat" on important dates to remember. BTW, our two-year-old granddaughter, Ava, just left our house with special treats in her pumpkin bag. Her church had a special night for kids this evening. Their pastor said he didn't want the devil to get all the attention this evening. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 2231 Registered: 3-2005 |
Thanks Rick for the better lyrics--interesting! I had the privilege today of listening to R.C. Sproul's radio broadcast today, and it was a Halloween--yea right--I mean Reformation day broadcast special where Max McClain, that excellent narrator did a narration of Martin Luther's "Here I Stand". If you have a chance, this is a must listen! You can listen right off their website: http://www.ligonier.org/rym.php This really shows what Luther had to stand against, and the gospel of Christ hung in the balance that day. | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 265 Registered: 6-2006 |
Stan, no wonder I've always had an aversion to Sabbath keeping! Ric, thanks for that. I do agree that lyrics matter! Yet another example of lyric swapping to prove (pervert) a point. Dennis, our pastor carves "Jesus" into his jack-o-lanterns. I've always admired that. Leigh Anne | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 459 Registered: 10-2002 |
I think maybe an interesting idea on "Halloween" would be to nail an old parchment-looking list to each of our doors with the Gospel message. What do you think? Ric_b, thanks for the info on the Luther lyrics! I was kind of curious about it. I'd always found the Hedge version a little less than compelling, and I was curious about the meaning in the original German. I was maybe going to ask Dennis if he could give us a little bit of the nuance in it, but I forgot to ask. Sometime I'd like to read a translation of the original -- not a versification. I just want to know the meaning more than be able to sing it. I think the second version is posted here at the cyberhymnal on the bottom of the page: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/i/mightyfo.htm Blessings to all! The notice has been posted! The list of charges against us has been nailed to the cross! Our freedom warrant has been signed with the blood of the Lamb and we bear His seal! | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 460 Registered: 10-2002 |
Stan, That tidbit about Luther's encounter with Sabbatarianism is hilarious! Thanks for sharing it! I totally agree with him: it is a day for dancing---dancing in the freedom of the Lord! | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 132 Registered: 2-2003 |
Stan, I heard that broadcast also, at least most of it. Last night we had more children come to our door than ever before so I was listening in between handing out candy. One little girl had a stack of envelopes in her hand and after she got her candy she handed me one. It said God Bless You on the outside and on the inside was a piece of paper with the Gospel message on it. I prayed for her mission project last night. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 133 Registered: 2-2003 |
STan,I also liked the tidbit out Luther and the Sabbath. It reminds me of a song we sing at my teenager's youth group meetings. I Am Free! (chorus) I am free to run I am free to dance I am free to live for you I am free! | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 320 Registered: 6-2001  |
Leigh, I was thinking of the exact same song (Newsboys). Only I was remembering something from the original recording (recorded live somewhere) The lead singer keeps repeating during an interlude "You are free. You are free. The price has been paid. The price has been paid." It is a great song if you have never heard it! Musically, Hannah | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 313 Registered: 6-2005 |
Leigh and Hannah, I am waiting for that song to come out on CD. What I have heard, is that so far they have not put it out on a CD, and only play it at live concerts. THe radio stations do play it quite a bit. Hannah, I love that part, "the price has been paid".... This song plays, and I bang the steering wheel for emphasis, sing at the top of my lungs, or sometimes tear up. I try to keep it more mellow when I have passengers. My son will just sigh and comment, "my mom always gets that way when a song about grace comes on!" Lori | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 321 Registered: 6-2001 |
You are going to be so happy Lori. According to my fav radio station, the CD was released yesterday. http://spirit1053.musichristian.com/product.php?PRODUCT=169479 I checked Amazon and it is in fact in stock. I bet you also like that song "Only Grace," by (I think) Matthew West. Happy singing! Hannah | ||
| Timmy Registered user Username: Timmy Post Number: 109 Registered: 8-2006  |
Through you the blind will see Through you the mute will sing Through you the dead will rise Through you our hearts will brake Through you the darkness flees Through you my heart screams I am free I am free Chorus: (2x's) I am free to run (I am free to dance) I am free to dance (I am free to dance) I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you) I am free (I am free) Yes, I am free (I am free) Through you the blind will see Through you the mute will sing Through you the dead will rise Through you our hearts will brake Through you the darkness flees Through you my heart screams I am free I am free Are you free? I am free | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 303 Registered: 11-2004 |
I just heard that song on the radio Love it!! The Gospel is truly good news!! |
