Word from Wiese

How Does the Reformation Help Me Today?

How Does the Reformation Help Me Today?

October 28, 2020

This Saturday marks 503 years since, according to tradition, Martin Luther posted 95 Theses, or suggestions for a healthier church, on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany. Ho Hum? Ancient history? Relevance? Somehow, American Halloween is what’s celebrated each October 31st. “Trick or treat” is our line today, not the “cling and spring” indulgence-promotional slogan that drove Luther nuts. Reformation might be a fun time to wear red at worship and sing some festive songs, but can any of us articulate why it “counts” for our daily lives?

Today, let me offer you three nuggets from Martin Luther’s reformational thinking that bring joy to my life, day in and day out. If they end up resonating with you, too, terrific. If not, you’ve only wasted a few minutes of reading time.

But first, breaking news. An update about the “Walk Into Wittenberg” experience. First, because of projected thunderstorms rolling in, we’re postponing the Walk from this Wednesday to NEXT Wednesday, November 4, from 5:30-6:30pm. If you’ve signed up already and can still come, you’re all set. If you’d still like to participate in this guided stroll around our lake at Palmetto Road, where you’ll encounter several characters from Luther’s Wittenberg days who explain why their faith stories inform yours, please sign up here:

Register Here for a Walking Tour

Guided groups depart every 10 minutes.  The refreshment stand doesn’t include indulgence boxes, but instead Tetzel’s pretzels, Sin No More Cider, and Purgatory punch.

For a lightning and thunder storm to delay a program about Martin Luther in 2020?!  The irony makes me smile.

If you worshiped with COS last Sunday, you know the sermon featured the Walk Into Wittenberg experience. If you’d like to watch it again or forward it to a friend, here’s a link:

Now for three pieces from Martin Luther that still stand not as “Reformation Relics” but three “Relevant Reminders”for living a robust faith life.

1.    Luther’s Explanation of the Eighth Commandment.  Luther wrote a Small Catechism to help parents teach their kids the faith. COS still uses it with our confirmands. Some of you actually had to memorize the whole catechism.   In my sermon last week about how Christians might view this upcoming election, we imagined how Luther’s advice could alter our whole political landscape.    “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.”  Wow. Luther inspires us to consider not just refraining from causing damage by lying, but building up others by speaking well of everybody. How this could change daily life in marriages, families, school and work cultures!
2.    A Sample of the 95 Theses. History states the Reformation officially began with the posting of the 95 Theses, but how many of us have actually read them?  Well, here’s the very first thesis: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, `Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”  Luther’s blood boiled realizing his neighbors were swindled into buying papal indulgences instead of food for their children with the bogus concept that this automatically fast-forwarded them to the finish line of faith, a “one and done.” I love the Lutheran teaching that I can be 100% confident right now in God’s love for me through Jesus’ death and resurrection.   True.  But as Luther’s first thesis teaches, our lives are an “already, not yet” duality.   In Christ, I’m free. But each day, I’m learning more and more how to live into that freedom.  As in a work-out program, each day I’m getting even stronger, enjoying the faith more deeply. We worship each week, read a devotional each day, connect in a small group regularly, because faith is a life-long, every-day adventure, not a been there, done that, one-and-done transaction like buying an indulgence.  Reading all 95 takes only 10 minutes. With many, one realizes you need a little “back story” for them to make sense.  But, in a way, they’re fun to read and certainly give you a strong sense of “faith by grace and not works” and Luther’s passion for the true welfare of his neighbors.
3.    The Freedom of a Christian.   When I first read this snippet of Luther’s 1522 treatise, I printed it out and hung it in my room.  For me, it’s a terrific daily mindset:  “Although I am an unworthy and condemned man, my God has given me in Christ all the riches of righteousness and salvation without any merit on my part, out of pure, free mercy, so that from now on I need nothing except faith which believes that this is true. Why should I not therefore freely, joyfully, with all my heart, and with an eager will do all things which I know are pleasing and acceptable to such a Father who has overwhelmed me with his inestimable riches? I will therefore give myself as a Christ to my neighbor, just as Christ offered himself to me; I will do nothing in this life except what I see is necessary, profitable, and salutary to my neighbor, since through faith I have an abundance of all good things in Christ.”
Reforming with you,
Pastor Fritz

P.S.   Here are a few more bonus quotes, that I hope will treat and not trick you:

  • I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.
  • Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.
  • You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.
  • I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.
  • Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.
  • There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.
  • Forgiveness is God’s command.
  • I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self.
  • Pray, and let God worry.
  • The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.
  • Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.