October 31st,2017 will mark the 500th anniversary of the German monk, Martin Luther, nailing his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church. It was a list of objections he had of the prevailing Church practices of the Catholic Church at the time. It is hard to imagine that his objections could have caused him his life if not for the protections afforded him by persons who were supportive of his views.
In this age the question arises as to the relevance of the Reformation. It is treated primarily as an historic event and is viewed as such, by many Christians, Churches and Pastors. However, at the time of Luther’s defiance the Church was in a different place. There were practices that were not allowed. Roman Catholic priests were not allowed to marry, it was possible to pay for the sins you would commit in advance; through as system of “ïndulgences”, Priests were able to forgive sins, and the Pope was the ultimate spiritual authority on earth. The “Reformation” challenged this.
What is the challenge today? For those Church leaders who see their theology in a light that is similar to Luther and John Calvin the ongoing struggle is the conflict that arises when they attempt to reconcile a “right theology” with the “rightness of the theology” that they subscribe to and practice, and for many it is difficult, especially when a “balance” between the temporal and spiritual is attempted. Many who espouse a Reform theology perspective are essentially pragmatists when it comes to paying bills and maintaining a particular lifestyle.
The battle started by Luther is still alive as the media driven environment that we find ourselves in is unrecognizable from that which came into being , when another German who was a Catholic invented or refined the printing press, almost century before Luther made his move. We now see a modern theological framework in which everyone can be a theologian, and the rightness of our personal theology impresses, controls and modifies any right theology we may claim to have. However, the mantra of “Reformers keep on Reforming” is as important today as it was at the beginning of the movement.
Sincerely,
Edward Hutcheson
October 30, 2017
