Year by year I've always offered a Reformation Day this or that, and this year will be no different — except that I'll be very happily busy preparing (with my dear wife) for Copperfield Bible Church's first-ever annual Reformation Day celebration. We're looking forward to having a joyous time of fellowship and learning.
Will Dr. Luther be appearing? Oh, jah!In the meanwhile, you might check out last Sunday's sermon. I had the joy of showing how Romans 1:16-17 (particularly the latter) has the seedbed of the Five Solas, and proclaiming the difference those truths make. It's called Five "Alones" That Changed Everything.
Also over at my place, you can find a couple of versions of the Reformation Polka, since picked up by other blogs. Here is a partial explanation of the lyrics. I've also offered some other Reformation/Luther-related resources; here are more, plus something for the rappers. And you probably all know good books on Luther, of which this classic is my favorite. (Until Trueman — who, BTW, gave an interview on the 95 Theses in 2010 — sets me right.)
Christians' opinions differ, of course, and I will offer you mine as worth exactly every penny you're paying for it: this date is too golden an opportunity to squander, with such a rich theme to celebrate. Do that. Let the world have its party, since that's the best they've got — but you hold up and hold out the "something (infinitely) better" you've got.
13 comments:
Whoa!!! A reformed church that actually does something meaningful on Reformation Day to celebrate the occasion, instead of just bowing to the trick-or-treating spirit of the age!
Kudos to your awesomeness, Dan!
I though Luther had three solas....
I've always been a little curious why people celebrate Reformation Day. It is great that Luther stood up and defended truth and called out the Catholic church for all their terrible doctrine, actions and oppression. We need people to stand up against spiritual and physical oppression. But I don't understand the celebration of a rebuke, or furthermore, the lack of repentance of the Catholic church leaders, or the necessity of the division of the church. Rather, it seems like these things would produce mourning and prayer for those lost to lies and pride.
I'm not saying it's wrong to celebrate; I'm genuinely asking why, in light of the things I just mentioned. Maybe, instead of celebrating, we could spend Reformation Day praying for the repentance and salvation of the Catholic church?
Ian, other than being a safe alternative to the dressing up one's children and letting them beg for candy from strangers (candy that will inevitably make them sick over the following weeks), Reformation parties are a way that a pastor can help impress upon the congregation an understanding of the importance of those who stood against the tyranny of Rome, and how reformation wasn't just a one-time event 400 years ago, but is something that continues to this day. It also helps shatter the occultist nonsense of Halloween and instead presents a much more meaningful way to celebrate the 31st.
Out-of-bounds issue for this blog. Among the many, many other things I could say about that blurt.
Nice post on this most fine day to remember how our Lord used this one man to start the motions of the Reformation of protesting for a Gospel of grace alone.
many were used by god in the reforming of the Church, but it seems it was brother martin Luther who was the main vessel.
My pastor also preached on Romans 1:16-17 on this past reformation Sunday. Loved every blessed moment of our service and worship. I was very edified and encouraged to stand for Christ alone, in faith alone by His grace alone on Scripture alone, for our Lord's glory alone.
here's one of my favorite Reformation songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zJqLxUric2w
And on the one day of the year that all our neighbors expect us to come to their door we circle the wagons and have a Lutherfest.
Sorry to hear it about your church, Damer. Work and pray towards celebrating the Gospel truths of the Reformation and Luther next year.
Ian, glad the post had your answer.
To the rest: hope you had a glorious Reformation celebration. The first-annual fellowship at CBC was a blessing and a joy.
Never really understood all the vitriol over Día de los Muertos.
And for the record, since undoubtably my comment will be misunderstood, I think Djp's post is not vitriolic and I think celebrating reformation day is a fine thing to do
Really, David? You've never seen ONE post explaining that? Not one, anywhere, in all the fertile Christian blogosphere? And reading all the links in this post, and listening to the sermon, you still simply have no idea why any Christian would think it superior to celebrate Reformation Day than to join in the other side's party?
Given all that, I don't know what I could possibly add.
Meanwhile, you who've "liked" the church's page on Facebook have seen the pictures from our celebration. I gather there will be more, for anyone who's interested. And... we're done.
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