For those who have started a collection of Luther commemorative stamps / First Day Issues, some fabulous designs continue to appear on the market. Ebay is one source among many. Featured on this post are some superb examples of 500th anniversary stamps from Mali and Hungary.
The biblical teaching of justification by faith alone was one of the distinguishing marks of the Protestant Reformation. It is a non-negotiable 'red line' for all who value true theology. As Dr. Thomas L. Schreiner points out in an excellent article, famous commentator N.T. Wright is wrong in his stance on justification. Wright states in his book, 'Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision,' (p. 232): "It is therefore a straightforward category mistake, however venerable within some Reformed traditions including part of my own, to suppose that Jesus ‘obeyed the law’ and so obtained ‘righteousness’ which could be reckoned to those who believe in him. …It is not the ‘righteousness’ of Jesus
The Universitätsplatz (University Square) in Heidelberg is over the foundation walls of the former Augustinian monastery. To commemorate Luther’s visit to the monastery and debate (Disputation) in 1518, a memorial plaque was installed at Universitätsplatz in 1983. The plaque reads: “Martin Luther (1483-1546): zum Gedenken an seinen Aufenthalt im Kloster der Augustiner und an seine Heidelberger Disputation am 26. April 1518. Im Lutherjahr 1983.” // “In commemoration of his Heidelberg visit at the Augustinian monastery and debate on the 26th of April 1518. In Luther year 1983 (500th anniversary of his birth).” THE HEIDELBERG DISPUTATION Following Luther's proposal for a disputation on the subj
The saying goes that, "Records are made to be broken." One of the puzzles in the Reformation Rooms involves trying to beat the 1-minute egg timer to arrange the available letters into the sentence, "The just shall live by faith" Gal. 3:11. From average ratings around the 1 minute-plus mark, one of the Primary School classes brought the target to beat down to a remarkable 45 seconds. The excellent efforts of another church group shaved almost 5 further seconds off this time. However, a group of three young ladies – Alison, Lydia and Emma-Jayne – has managed to set a new standard – 38.20 seconds. I imagine that this is one record that may stand for a considerable period. Of course, that is you
Fond of books, like his father, Martin Luther made daily visits to the library of the university of Erfurt and spent hours amid its treasures and revelled in the riches around him. One day, at the age of 20, when he opening books one after another, he came to a volume unlike all the others. To his surprise found that it was a Bible – the Vulgate, Jerome's Latin translation of the Scriptures. The Bible he had never seen till now. His joy was great. There are certain portions which the Church prescribes to be read in public on Sundays and saints' days. Luther presumed these were the whole Bible. Great was his surprise to find in it whole books and epistles of which he had never before heard. H
Among his voluminous works, Luther penned at least 36 hymns. His "A Mighty Fortress is our God" is easily the most popular and is often described as the "battle hymn of the Reformation." Based on Scripture The words are a loose paraphrase of Psalm 46 and celebrate the sovereign power of God over every earthly and spiritual power, and focus on the certain hope we have in Him because of Christ. After its publication, this hymn became extremely popular across Reformed Europe. As Louis Benson points out: "It was … the Marseillaise of the Reformation. It was sung at Augsburg during the Diet, and in all the churches of Saxony, often against the protest of the priest. It was sung in the streets; an
An idyllic little town south-east of Leipzig on the river Mulde in Saxony, Grimma had a special significance for Luther: Katharina von Bora, who later became his wife, lived in a convent here for 14 years. Martin Luther visited the city several times and achieved significant influence through his sermons in the abbey church. The citizens of Grimma quickly joined the Reformation. As early as 1519, Luther commented that 'the converted are already clearly in control' of the town. Katharina von Bora came to Marienthron Convent in Nimbschen near Grimma as a young girl and took her vows in 1515. Influenced by Luther's writings, however, she became interested in the reformation movement. Luther he
The second illustration in this series dates back to Luther's schooldays at Eisenach. in 1497, Martin Luther was 14 years old and attending school in the city of Eisenach. Eisenach was approximately 100 miles from home. In those days, students from out of town had to pay to stay with someone else. Many students went from house to house asking for money and food. Party singers (Parteken - Particles for the Maintenance of Life) as they were called at that time were musicians who sang in front of the houses for small gifts, a custom which has been preserved in some parts of Germany.Martin Luther joined some other boys and as a choir they went about singing for money and food. In the course of t
On the 500th anniversary year of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses being sent out, Saltmine Theatre Company has announced a new 20-minute dramatic presentation celebrating the life and work of a true Faith Pioneer. Titled, 'Legacy: The Story of Martin Luther,' it depicts a man whose devout faith and unshakeable commitment to the Word of God led him to translate the Bible. This act made Scripture accessible to all for the first time in history and changed the trajectory of the Christian Church forever, as he becomes convinced that salvation comes through faith alone and can never be bought. This powerful portrayal can easily fit into a church service or into a celebration event already scheduled.
Augsburg is one of Germany's oldest cities with a history that dates back over 2,000 years. It was the venue for Imperial Diets, witnessing the Religious Peace of Augsburg, the High Peace Festival and the Augsburg Confession – all of which assured it a place in world history. • The Augsburg Imperial Diet at which Martin Luther refused to revoke his 95 theses is one of the major turning points in western history. In October 1518, Martin Luther was called to Augsburg to answer Cardinal Cajetan's charges of heresy. Cajetan ordered Luther to withdraw statements challenging the morality of the practice of indulgences and the supreme authority of the Pope. Luther refused and with Cajetan’s subseq
One of the books that the Reformation Room has on loan from Rev. Stanley Barnes is based on Martin Luther's significant sojourn at the Wartburg Castle. I have yet to see better illustrations of the key scenes in Luther's life. For the next number of Thursdays on this blog I aim to upload several of these impressive graphics. Keep checking back.
The International Association of Reformation Coins and Medals (IARCM), in its desire to promote the history and teachings of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation internationally, has announced that a partnership with renowned German medallist Victor Huster has resulted in the first in a series of art-medals commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517. * The first design in the series portrays Martin Luther as a young monk. The portrait is framed by the Latin translation of Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withereth and the flower fadeth, but the Word of our God endur
A discussion of the Order of Salvation by Louis Berkhof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh-WdlMxXfY
The names of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli, William Tyndale and other prominent characters of the Protestant Reformation in Europe are well known. However, these did not exist, far less prosecute the work, alone in their respective countries. There were many other men – and women – who worked tirelessly and sacrificially to advance the cause of the Reformation. Did I say "women"? Of course. But, do you know the names of any of these Reformation women? Not many do. Valerie Abraham has helped us in writing an article, Five Important Women of the Reformation You Should Know About. This may be accessed here: https://romanroadsmedia.com/2015/10/5-women-of-reformation/ It b
Is it true that Martin Luther, in his denunciations of the Roman Catholic Church, claimed that Popes and priests commonly practised sodomy? Absolutely. In fact, Luther’s statements on this subject made John the Baptist's accusation against Herod's adultery seem trivial compared to the corruption among the Roman clergy. The words by which he accused the Roman clergy of practising sodomy are these: “I am not lying to you. Whoever has been in Rome knows that conditions are unfortunately worse there than anyone can say or believe. When the last Lateran council was to be concluded in Rome under Pope Leo, among other articles it was decreed that one must believe the soul to be immortal. From this
Luther's close connection with Gotha seems to have commenced during his student days at the University of Erfurt. One of his fellow students, law student Justus Jonas, writes that Luther purchased his textbooks in Gotha. Returning, he met a "terrifying heavenly sight" that he interpreted as a call to be a monk. Getting back to Erfurt he said goodbye and joined himself to the Augustinian cloister in Erfurt in order to become a monk. In May 1515, Luther spent some time in the town, something that would repeat itself often before his final visit in 1540. Not only did he come to the city to visit the Augustinian monastery, but also to rest on his way to Worms, Marburg, and Schmalkalden. The Germ
An impromptu visit to our Reformation Rooms during July was paid by Jim and Sandra Thompson (from Northern Ireland) and Ricardo, Sandra, Andrea and Dani Hernandez Perdomo (from Lanzarote). Jim is the former pastor of the Baptist church (Acre) in Lanzarote and Ricardo is the current pastor. This visit was facilitated at short notice; if you have a small party that wish to take the Reformation Tour, please contact us by the Martyrs' phone (usually answered during hours of 9.00am – 12 noon, Monday to Friday), or by email.
