One of the central events in the joint Protestant and Catholic ecumenical celebration of the anniversary of the Reformation takes place in Hildesheim today, 11 March 2017. Advertised as “A Penance And Reconciliation Service,” it will be conducted by the Chairman of the German Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, and the Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Landesbischof Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. Under the motto “Healing of Memories,” thi

I've been asked this question several times during this past week. My answer has always been the same, "Not yet, but we're certainly working on it. Try mid-May." Some real progress was made on some of the exhibits today, and I know that much more is planned between now and the weekend. Do keep checking this space ... . One of the most extensive Luther Exhibitions was available to view in Minneapolis School Of Art in the early stages of this year. The advertising blurb definit

The first trio of 28mm figures to be subjected to a 'Reformation / Renaissance' palette: 1. A Swiss Guard in the original colours of the Papacy - not the famous yellow and white (which was introduced in the days of Napoleon), but yellow and red. 2. I'm very tempted to use this miniature to represent Luther's time in exile at the Wartburg Castle where he travelled under the name, 'Knight George' (Junker Jorge). 3. Another possible Luther figure, suitable for an appearance at o

Recently I was given the text of a feature article carried in The Times back in 1998. Entitled ‘Britain gives up on the Reformation’, it was penned by Conservative MP Michael Gove, who is, I understand, of Scots Presbyterian stock. Mr Gove included “the open Bible” and “the preaching of the Word” among “the foundation stones of those liberties that defined our nation at its birth and through its greatness.” Identifying Protestantism as “the nation’s glue”, he observed that “n

At the start of 2017 I announced to the congregation at Martyrs that, since this was Reformation anniversary year, I planned to preach through two series of messages: 1. Messages on Psalm 46 – 'A Song That Showcases Our Secure Stronghold.' Though not Martin Luther's favourite psalm (Psalm 118 claims this accolade), the lines of the 46th Psalm proved hugely inspirational in the Reformer's life and ministry. 2. Messages on The Book of Galatians – 'Rediscovering The Gospel Of Gr

Martin Luther’s protest in 1517 has affected all of our lives. Quite frankly, there would not have been a Protestant denomination had God not stirred the soul and empowered the mind of this monk named Martin Luther. By the illumination and grace of God, Luther discovered that the church he loved was guilty of fraud, deception, and treachery on a massive scale. Whatever the personal cost, he felt convinced that against these abuses he must take his stand. God also opened Luthe

This little video, featured on the Thuringia website, www.visit-thuringia.com, provides one of the most captivating series of views of 'Luther Land' that I have encountered. Plus I appreciate the way in which they market it: "Martin Luther, one of the world’s most influential religious reformers, spent much of his life studying, working and evolving in Thuringia. He first came to Thuringia for schooling in Eisenach. Thuringia's capital, Erfurt, became the intellectual home of

For those who are collecting Martin Luther memorabilia, this may add some odd variety to your collection. I've spotted the now famous Luther Playmobil figure, a 10" Martin Luther 'plush figure,' a Martin and Katharine set, and many other items – all released to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Luther's stand at Wittenberg. ... And now the 'Martin Luther Rubber Duck'! The publicity tells us that it's "great for party favours, Easter baskets, pre-school parties, cake topp

Last evening, at a deputation meeting held in Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church, Mr Samuel Adams spoke of the ongoing work of the Revival Movement Association. While he provided updates on the work of Gospel literature distribution from Cuba to China, and from Romania to Rwanda, it was a reference to France that specially attracted my attention. On reading their monthly magazine ('Good News') when I came home, I noticed these few paragraphs devoted to the spread of th