500

[Five Solas]

500 years ago today, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the Wittenberg Castle church.  We'd be remiss not to have a thread, wouldn't we?

A year ago I posted a thread on the topic of the Reformation.  The replies were interesting--but I don't want to go there again.  For this one, I'll share an article by Scott Hubbard, wherein he asks if men like Calvin, Luther and Zwingli should properly be considered "heroes."  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/whitewashed-heroes

For those who habitually respond "Servetus" to mentions of Calvin and "anti-Semitism" when Luther's name appears--it should be food for thought.   And for those more accustomed to arguments like "presentism" in defense of historical leaders & their conduct--this might actually be refreshing.

:0)

Please share any thoughts on the topic.  And enjoy the day!

--Erik

[The Nehor]

Fitting time for such a thread as the onset of winter comes with God’s cold annually reminding us of the need to burn more heretics.

[bluebell]

I don't know if I would consider them heroes (I don't know that much about them, just the basics), but I do consider them led by God in their questioning.

[boblloyd91]

26 minutes ago, Five Solas said:

500 years ago today, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the Wittenberg Castle church.  We'd be remiss not to have a thread, wouldn't we?

A year ago I posted a thread on the topic of the Reformation.  The replies were interesting--but I don't want to go there again.  For this one, I'll share an article by Scott Hubbard, wherein he asks if men like Calvin, Luther and Zwingli should properly be considered "heroes."  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/whitewashed-heroes

For those who habitually respond "Servetus" to mentions of Calvin and "anti-Semitism" when Luther's name appears--it should be food for thought.   And for those more accustomed to arguments like "presentism" in defense of historical leaders & their conduct--this might actually be refreshing.

:0)

Please share any thoughts on the topic.  And enjoy the day!

--Erik

I can respect their questioning, longing, and desires to know the truth. I can't say I agree with the outcome. I don't know how much you read from an Eastern Orthodox Christian perspective but there's a blog called "Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy" that has been doing a series of commentaries this month on the pros and cons of the Reformation. I enjoyed it and found that it mirrors my own thoughts on it. Here's the link:

https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/orthodoxyandheterodoxy/

[smac97]

30 minutes ago, Five Solas said:

500 years ago today, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the Wittenberg Castle church.  We'd be remiss not to have a thread, wouldn't we?

A year ago I posted a thread on the topic of the Reformation.  The replies were interesting--but I don't want to go there again.  For this one, I'll share an article by Scott Hubbard, wherein he asks if men like Calvin, Luther and Zwingli should properly be considered "heroes."  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/whitewashed-heroes

For those who habitually respond "Servetus" to mentions of Calvin and "anti-Semitism" when Luther's name appears--it should be food for thought.   And for those more accustomed to arguments like "presentism" in defense of historical leaders & their conduct--this might actually be refreshing.

:0)

Please share any thoughts on the topic.  And enjoy the day!

--Erik

Some quotes about Martin Luther by General Authorities:

• "The Dark Ages were dark because the light of the gospel was hidden from the people. They did not have the apostles or prophets, nor did they have access to the Bible. The clergy kept the scriptures secret and unavailable to the people. We owe much to the many brave martyrs and reformers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Huss who demanded freedom to worship and common access to the holy books." - Elder M. Russell Ballard
• "Then in 1517, the Spirit moved Martin Luther, a German priest who was disturbed at how far the church had strayed from the gospel as taught by Christ. His work led to a reformation, a movement that was taken up by such other visionaries as John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, John Wesley, and John Smith." - Elder M. Russell Ballard
• "Martin Luther asserted the Bible’s supremacy. His study of the scriptures led him to compare the doctrines and practices of the church with the teachings of the scriptures. Luther stood for the responsibility of the individual and the rights of the individual conscience, and this he did at the imminent risk of his life. Though threatened and persecuted, yet he declared boldly: 'Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me.'" - then-Elder Thomas S. Monson

Thanks,

-Smac

[Pete Ahlstrom]

28 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Fitting time for such a thread as the onset of winter comes with God’s cold annually reminding us of the need to burn more heretics.

Yes, burn them all because only through conformity can we achieve true individuality.  We must burn the village to save it.

[JLHPROF]

Without Martin Luther and those reformers who fought the good fight with him the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith would likely have looked much different.  The distribution of the Bible to the general population was key in the coming of the restoration, as was the ability to question doctrine.

We could claim that God would have restored the gospel and established the Church either way, but there is no doubt in my mind he used inspired men like Martin Luther for that purpose.

[The Nehor]

3 hours ago, Pete Ahlstrom said:

Yes, burn them all because only through conformity can we achieve true individuality.  We must burn the village to save it.

Yeah, but I just like the pretty flames and the lilting screams of the condemned.

[Pete Ahlstrom]

3 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Yeah, but I just like the pretty flames and the lilting screams of the condemned.

That is one of the purposes of scripture/religion - allowing revenge feelings to be placed on God and how he'll supposedly burn those pesky sinners in the end.

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, Pete Ahlstrom said:

That is one of the purposes of scripture/religion - allowing revenge feelings to be placed on God and how he'll supposedly burn those pesky sinners in the end.

Who gets to decide the purposes of religion?  Are you saying that it's your opinion that that is one of the purposes of religion or are you suggesting there is an authoritative source that has stated that's one of the purposes?

[RevTestament]

5 hours ago, Five Solas said:

500 years ago today, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" to the Wittenberg Castle church.  We'd be remiss not to have a thread, wouldn't we?

A year ago I posted a thread on the topic of the Reformation.  The replies were interesting--but I don't want to go there again.  For this one, I'll share an article by Scott Hubbard, wherein he asks if men like Calvin, Luther and Zwingli should properly be considered "heroes."  https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/whitewashed-heroes

For those who habitually respond "Servetus" to mentions of Calvin and "anti-Semitism" when Luther's name appears--it should be food for thought.   And for those more accustomed to arguments like "presentism" in defense of historical leaders & their conduct--this might actually be refreshing.

:0)

Please share any thoughts on the topic.  And enjoy the day!

--Erik

LittleNipper recently had a thread on this, but it is fitting to honor Martin Luther on this day, and I am willing to do so. Of course apparently at the time he thought he was just starting a friendly debate on these subjects, which might lead to some reform. Little did he suspect that he would be tried, and forced to escape for fear of his life. Somehow modern Christians seem to forget the dangers of freedom of thought at the time due to a certain church which for some reason always seems to get a pass. Martin Luther was one of the few willing to stand for Biblical principles rather than errant traditions which had led men astray, and was responsible for many changes for the better. With this event began the true period of Reformation. However, the Reformation did lead to the formation of many churches because the Reformers lacked good guidance and the official stamp of God, and they retained some errant teachings such as creeds. So, while I am willing to honor Luther for his courage and efforts to restore a true Christianity, he was not the first nor the last in this effort. This struggle actually continues. And for Catholic readers, I think it significant that eventually the Church did reform itself somewhat in the Vatican Council, and I think it evident that this need was seen largely because of the efforts of this one man, Martin Luther. So, Martin Luther can at least claim his part in history for his honorable efforts.

[Avatar4321]

6 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Fitting time for such a thread as the onset of winter comes with God’s cold annually reminding us of the need to burn more heretics.

you volunteering this year?;)

[Avatar4321]

3 hours ago, Pete Ahlstrom said:

That is one of the purposes of scripture/religion - allowing revenge feelings to be placed on God and how he'll supposedly burn those pesky sinners in the end.

what revenge feelings?

[The Nehor]

4 hours ago, Pete Ahlstrom said:

That is one of the purposes of scripture/religion - allowing revenge feelings to be placed on God and how he'll supposedly burn those pesky sinners in the end.

If I was not one of said pesky sinners that might be comforting.

1 hour ago, Avatar4321 said:

you volunteering this year?;)

I suggest a lottery system.

[kiwi57]

4 hours ago, Pete Ahlstrom said:

That is one of the purposes of scripture/religion - allowing revenge feelings to be placed on God and how he'll supposedly burn those pesky sinners in the end.

Pete, Nehor is joking. He has a dark (but undeniably funny) sense of humour.

I have it on good authority that he played the starring role in the Monty Python Grim Reaper sketch.

[kiwi57]

8 hours ago, Five Solas said:

For those who habitually respond "Servetus" to mentions of Calvin and "anti-Semitism" when Luther's name appears--it should be food for thought.   And for those more accustomed to arguments like "presentism" in defense of historical leaders & their conduct--this might actually be refreshing.

Umm, Erik?

Do you protest when people habitually respond "polygamy" and/or "Danites" when Joseph Smith's name appears? Or when they block their ears and chant "He had a gun! He had a gun!" when the martyrdom is mentioned?

Just asking.