The Protestant Reformation—social change 16th century style

It's 1517 Wittenberg, Germany. Things aren’t right in the Roman Catholic Church. Men representing the Pope are subverting the gospel and leading people astray, forgiving past and future sins for a price. The money lines pockets as well as funding various projects such as the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. You work hard in Germany as a parish priest and preacher, university professor, author, and overseer of many monasteries among other responsibilities. You are tasked with teaching the truth of the Bible and this is not the truth. What can you do to set things right? You are ONLY one man but, you are ONE man. So, you do what God made you to do—study, teach, and preach. And publish. Regularly. You are Martin Luther.

God has brought you through a lot of personal angst and introspection as you studied his words in Hebrew and Greek to get to this point in your life—belief in grace alone on Christ alone through faith alone. The Roman Church’s stance on authority, salvation, and sacraments are not in line with your study of scripture. They abuse their position and power for personal gain and not God’s glory, especially over the German people, YOUR people.

So you use the latest modern technology has to offer—the printing press—to publicize your arguments, like your 95 Theses, through the closest thing you have to social media—the church door. Every church door in town is a public bulletin board and you use them to encourage open debate. Your ideas make an impact in 1517 and continued to do so every year thereafter.

This year is the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and many people have found much to remember and celebrate, starting right here in Minnesota. Jean Hopfensperger of the Star Tribune describes “Minnesota Lutherans at forefront of new Martin Luther revolution.” Minnesota might be described as Luther Country USA. Here you find “one in four residents [who] trace their namesake faith to the monk from Wittenberg.” Maybe that is why there are five private Lutheran colleges, one of the world’s largest Lutheran seminaries, the largest Lutheran synod in the nation, about 2000 Lutheran churches, The National Lutheran Choir, and a major Lutheran publishing house. For an up-close-and-personal look at Martin Luther’s world, tour his stomping grounds in Germany’s own Luther Country-- taste the food, enjoy the music, walk the towns, and visit the many national exhibitions available through 2018. Prefer something closer to home? Check out the Basilica of St. Mary website for special presentations by The National Lutheran Choir and St. Olaf Choir in October. The synod website lists local services, lectures, festivals, and information on special events such as performances by the Reformation Symphony and resources such as Rick Steves’ travel documentary. Other media resources are available at PBS.org.

Luther struggled within himself to live his faith, as well as within his family, within his church, within his community, and within his world. He lived each day as best he was able, free in Christ to be all that God intended. In so doing, he left his mark on his world encouraging all those who came after to do the same.

CREDIT: Wikimedia.org

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