Happy Reformation Sunday! So what?

[Cow Poke]

What does Reformation Sunday mean to you? Is it observed in your Church? It it just a "so what?" kind of thing? Is it ignored completely?

Coming up on the 500th anniversary (next year) I thought this might be a good topic.

Does the Reformation mean anything to you and your church?

(In full disclosure, I've never preached a "Reformation Sunday" service, but having been sharing our church building with a Lutheran Congregation (They'll be moving out soon, as they've purchased land and are building their own building), I'm much more aware of it than I have been in the past)

[Sparko]

I never even heard of it before.

[mossrose]

Yes! Without Reformation we would still be paying indulgences to the Catholic church and being led astray because we are not allowed to read scripture for ourselves!

There is other stuff in there, too, I think.

[Cow Poke]

I never even heard of it before.

Yeah, before a couple years ago, it never came across my radar. Basically, as I understand it, it's acknowledging that October 31 is the date that Martin Luther posted his 95 thesis on the Wittenburg Door in challenge to the Catholic Church. The "Reformation", of course, didn't happen "in a day", but that's the day that is recognized as the match that ignited the forest fire, kinda sorta.

[Cow Poke]

Yes! Without Reformation we would still be paying indulgences to the Catholic church and being led astray because we are not allowed to read scripture for ourselves!

There is other stuff in there, too, I think.

EGGzackly - indulgences was a biggie, but so was the fact that the Bible must be elevated above the authority, history or tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.

[TheWall]

I may not know much about the reformation but I do know that it lead many to look closer at scripture, see the church not as a building but as a universal timeless entity that Jesus commands, and that it has not undermined christianity as critics claim that denominations did. Sounds like a good thing to me.

Personally I do not understand denominations. I just want to worship together and not be judged for secondary ideas.

[mossrose]

EGGzackly - indulgences was a biggie, but so was the fact that the Bible must be elevated above the authority, history or tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.

And works. Luther was disturbed by the doctrine of works salvation.

Almost every church we've ever been in has at the very least acknowledged Reformation Sunday. Not this current one, though.

[Sparko]

PS when I first saw the thread I thought, "What the heck is Reformatting Sunday? Time to wipe my hard drive?"

[Cow Poke]

I think this guy does a pretty good job of explaining it in pretty much layman's terms....

As I have already acknowledged, I'm no authority in this, so I'm certainly open to learning from others.

[Cow Poke]

PS when I first saw the thread I thought, "What the heck is Reformatting Sunday? Time to wipe my hard drive?"

In conversations over the past few days (this relates to my other thread about some of our "mainstream" churches (locally) preaching and teaching that there are "many ways to God" - some of those Churches are Lutheran, and Luther would be rolling over in his grave) I keep trying to say "Reformation Sunday" and, instead, say "Resurrection Sunday". (I guess I'm ready for Easter!)

[Cow Poke]

And works. Luther was disturbed by the doctrine of works salvation.

Almost every church we've ever been in has at the very least acknowledged Reformation Sunday. Not this current one, though.

Yup....

Sola fide (Latin: by faith alone), also known as justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some parts of the Restoration Movement.

[Sparko]

So basically it is a celebration of either...

1. We have been set free from works based salvation, or
2. We are all going to hell in a handbasket for defying the Pope and the Catholic Church.

[Spartacus]

EGGzackly - indulgences was a biggie, but so was the fact that the Bible must be elevated above the authority, history or tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.

Luther's criticisms of the preacher Johann Tetzel (who was abusing indulgences) were, to the best of my knowledge, fairly well-received by the Catholic Church generally. On other matters, though, he overstepped, and this eventually led to a schism which all ought to regard as tragic.

[Cow Poke]

Yup....

Sola fide (Latin: by faith alone), also known as justification by faith alone, is a Christian theological doctrine that distinguishes most Protestant denominations from the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and some parts of the Restoration Movement.

I'm interested in hearing OBP's input on this, cause this definition seems to indict the Orthodox Church.

(here's where I got that definition, and it may be off the mark)

[Cow Poke]

Luther's criticisms of the preacher Johann Tetzel (who was abusing indulgences) were, to the best of my knowledge, fairly well-received by the Catholic Church generally. On other matters, though, he overstepped, and this eventually led to a schism which all ought to regard as tragic.

Thanks, Spart... would you care to elaborate?