Current Issues

28
Oct
2014

Martin Luther, All Hallows Eve, and “Trick or Treat?”

LutherExperts in church history make the point that Reformation Day is held alongside All Hallows Eve—more commonly known in our times as Halloween—originally commemorated because October 31st, 1517 was the date on which Martin Luther wrote in protest against the sale of indulgences as a means of supposedly securing the release of souls from purgatory.

Johann Tetzel, the purveyor of these indulgences, was a creative salesman, encouraging his would-be clients to part with their hard-earned cash with a jingle that went something like this:

As soon as the coin in the coffer rings,
Another soul from purgatory springs!

Luther was in process of discovering the wonder of God’s matchless grace in the person of Christ—the Savior who alone achieved the salvation of sinners. No help needed from anyone! Well wrote a different hymn writer:

Upon a life I did not live
Upon a death I did not die;
Another’s life, Another’s death,
I stake my whole eternity!

In due course, Luther would come to a full-orbed realization and appreciation of the sufficiency of the merits of Christ to achieve a complete salvation. But even here, he knew enough that Tetzel and his trafficking in human souls had to be stopped.

Luther, a Musical Poet

Luther Mighty Fortress score

Click to enlarge

As well as being a theologian, pastor and family man, Luther had poetic talents.

His hymn, Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott—A Mighty Fortress (based on Psalm 46)—has been referred to as “The battle cry of the Reformation.” The melody is highly singable, not least owing to its isorhythmic (all equal rhythms) shape. There are many renderings of it. Interestingly, Luther himself originated both the words and the music—note the attestation to Luther on the graphic seen here. The music itself appears to have gone through various developments; the rendering of the score used today is attributed to Johan Sebastian Bach. (*Note 1)

Listen below to the mp3 file [source citation here], or click/tap here to view the score as rendered in modern hymnals.

 

 

Speaking of Bach, it’s interesting just how appealing his work is across cultures. In a separate post, I share with you an impressive rendering of the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor played by foot on a large piano keyboard. Enjoy!

But back to Luther: Luther reveled the reality of God’s free grace shown to unworthy sinners. His journey from superstition and unbelief was a long and painful one. Along the way, he wrestled, sweated and struggled until he found a resting place in the Person of Jesus, and His work for sinners. We do well to follow in his steps!

Things to Think About

  • Is Luther’s Mighty Fortress your God? Read and reflect on Psalm 46.
  • What does it mean to you that sinners are justified by faith alone?
  • If God is the justifier of ungodly people (see Romans 4:5), does that not increase your love and appreciation for Jesus, the Savior, who Himself accomplished a perfect salvation?
  • Treasure this verse from Romans 8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

 

Enjoy the Words…

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 pow’r are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s 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.

And tho’ this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro’ 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.

That word above all earthly pow’rs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro’ Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

 

*Notes

1: Text: Martin Luther, 1529; tr. Fredrick H. Hedge, 1852; based on Psalm 46; Tune: Martin Luther, 1529, alt.; harm. Johan S. Bach, 1685-1750, as cited at http://www.hymnary.org/media/fetch/96175

Posted by Jim Holmes in Current Issues, Theology, 0 comments
25
Oct
2014

I Love the Reformation!

Getting Right with God

Each year, the last Sunday of October marks an opportunity to celebrate Reformation Day. I am thankful for the Protestant Reformation, and the opportunity to remember it and celebrate it.

The Reformation, an event with religious, cultural, and political implications, took root in Europe, beginning in the early sixteenth century. Martin Luther (born 1483), a monk, knew he was estranged from God. His conscience, sensitized to God’s standards of righteousness, knew no peace. In his heart of hearts, he was aware that even the personal disciplines (including self-flagellation and fasting)  to which he exposed himself as he endeavored to make himself right with God were insufficient. Like the apostle Paul, in a state of awakening faith, he began to realize that he needed a righteousness greater than his own—not a righteousness of human law, but “that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9).

The reality of Psalm 31 began to bear upon him—to be delivered from his condition, he needed help from on high: “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.” And so, wonderfully, in 1519, he experienced the invincible power of justifying grace. The reality of the opening verses of Romans 5 became imprinted on his soul:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:1-11)

Not only Luther, but others were awakened by this God-inspired movement. John Knox (“Give me Scotland, or I die!”), William Tyndale (translator of the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into the English of his day—“If God spare my life, ere many yeares I wyl cause a boy that driveth the plough to know more of the Scripture, than thou  doust!”  he once said to a clergyman), William Farel, John Calvin (“No man is excluded from calling upon God; the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief” [Source of quote]) and others burst onto the scene, heralding the greatest news that, in the Person, and because of the Work of Jesus Christ, God accepts sinners who would turn from their godless ways and trust in the Savior appointed, welcoming them into His family.

Why I Love the Reformation

The Reformation unleashed a powerhouse of constructive activity. People, set free from wrong teaching, superstition, and ignorance, began to realize that

  • The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1)—therefore, there was an acceleration in scientific research and endeavor, and colonization of the far regions of the world could take into account spreading the knowledge of God’s Christ to the regions that yet lay in spiritual darkness;
  • Work is a good and noble calling (hence the Protestant or biblical work ethic), thus putting an end to the unproductive days spent in venerating saints as was the case in so many places in Europe;
  • Worship of God could be cleaned up and simplified. God is a Spirit and to be worshiped in spirit and truth (John 4:24);
  • The stage was set for confessional Christianity, leading to the formulation of doctrines as expressed, in due course, by the Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Confession and Catechisms and other carefully thought through standards;
  • Education could take into consideration the reality that all of life belongs to God; so the stage was set for an integrated worldview;
  • Economic prosperity could be achieved by ordinary people through initiative and hard work.

The Reformation spawned generations of manly men and womanly women, people with the courage of their convictions, convictions generated by the weight and force of truth. They put their money where their mouths were. They faced imprisonment, torture and death rather than recant from what they knew to be the truth. A modern Christian was once quoted in these words: “Here are my convictions; actually, if you don’t like them, here are some other ones.” Not so of our fathers in the faith. Luther is remembered for his words at the Diet of Worms, “Here I stand, I can do no other—so help me, God.”

As we think about these things, let me ask you a few questions:

  • Are you gripped by the power of truth—God’s saving truth in the gospel of His Son? Do you love this wonderful gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ alone saves sinners?
  • Are you celebrating the wonder of free grace?
  • Do you sing the grand, objective hymns and songs of the Reformation in preference to subjective ditties so prevalent in some modern church worship services?
  • Are you teaching the grand truths of the Reformation to your children?
Posted by Jim Holmes in Current Issues, Reflections, Theology, 0 comments
21
Oct
2014

Relevant Thinking: Ebola

Join me as I try to think consistently and articulate freshly about life under the sun…

StethescopeThe Ebola crisis is a significant feature in the news. First coming to the world’s attention quietly and unobtrusively, the virus was originally identified by Belgian doctors. As is now common knowledge, developments in West Africa have precipitated global concern. Talk radio in the USA articulates just what an immense cause of concern it is to average Americans.

How should we think about this illness? Here are several lines of thought:

  • Illness was never a part of the original creation. When our first parents triggered the entrance of sin into the world, several collateral developments took place, including burdensome toil, illness, agricultural challenges, a breakdown in relationships that were meant to be harmonious, and many other catastrophic elements.
  • Illness, as horrible and unwelcome a feature of life as it is, drives us to think about our short time to be lived on this planet. Where to after this life? How can I be prepared for what comes next? Thankfully, God’s Word, the Bible, provides helpful answers.
  • Illness ultimately is a temporary condition for those whose faith and hope is in the Redeemer. In the final state, there will be no more sin, sickness or sorrow.

Being better resourced to help people who are ill…

There are several resources that offer help to ordinary people who face the challenge of grappling with issues such as this. Below I mention five helpful resources:

colinmercer-03Resource #1: Colin Mercer, Pastor of Faith Free Presbyterian Church, Greenville, South Carolina, preached a pertinent message entitled Ebola and the Bible. Pastor Mercer is a fine preacher, a faithful messenger, one who always applies the Bible with relevance. You could listen online at SermonAudio here or download the audio file. There is also a video of the sermon at the same URL.

Resource #2: J. C. Ryle, long ago the bishop of Liverpool, England, had a heart of compassion for his congregants. With his life spanning much of the nineteenth century, it is important to understand that medical care was not as easy to come by as it is today, and often people succumbed to illnesses that would have been easy to treat under our modern conditions. Ryle counseled people to pay attention to the urgent message of sickness to get into a right relationship with God. His book, Practical Religion, has a chapter which you may also read online here, simply entitled Sickness. I shared this with my father over eleven years ago as he lay on his death bed, and I believe it may have helped him to find the Savior of sinners.

Resource #3: My friend Brian Croft, pastor of a church near Louisville, KY, is the son of a medical doctor. When he was a boy, his dad would take him on house calls as he visited his patients. As a result, Brian learned sensitivity to people who are unwell. So it was natural that, when he entered the pastoral ministry, he had the background and skills to engage with people suffering ill health. I highly commend Brian’s blog, Practical Shepherding, and the excellent resources he offers.

Two other publications to think about and use are:

Resource #4: Help! I’m Living with Terminal Illness, a mini-book written by Reggie Weems, pastor of a church in eastern Tennessee. Here’s how the book is described:

We don’t find it easy to face death, and the diagnosis of a terminal illness can be devastating. Yet every life has an expiration date. Written with a pastor’s heart for those suffering with a terminal diagnosis and for their family and friends, this publication conveys practical advice, spiritual consolation, and, most importantly, an eternal hope which the dying process cannot diminish and death cannot extinguish.

Reggie’s book is presently available as an eBook download, either from the site listed or from Amazon. Or you could sign up with Shepherd Press to buy the book when it is brought into print.

How_can_I_face_terminal_ChrispinResource #5: How can I face terminal illness with peace? This is the question addressed by Gerard Chrispin in a 32 page evangelistic booklet.

Writing sensitively, Gerard demonstrates how facing the fact of death can be a big advantage and lead to personal blessing, once the initial shock of a diagnosed illness has passed. That is true also for those seeing a loved one suffer serious illness.

This, too, is available from Amazon.

 

 

 

Posted by Jim Holmes in Current Issues, Reflections, Sickness, 0 comments