Comments on: Reformation Day 2010

By: Jim Shields

Jim Shields — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:05:03 +0000

I’m confused. What is Faith, if not a certain form of human “work”?

If “faith” is used as an active verb, then it is indeed a human work. In the context that this active faith can produce results, I see no difference between that and superstition.

“I have faith in Jesus therefore I go to heaven” is superstition, not faith.

Faith in the Lutheran tradition is a passive verb. This is faith as opposed to science or philosophy, or reason or religion.

By: Gail O

Gail O — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 03:57:57 +0000

Reformation Day was celebrated in our Presbyterian Church along with All Saints Day.

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:36:18 +0000

“Nowadays, the pope just isn’t quite the antichrist he once was. Lutherans are in an identity crisis over the whore of Babylon.”

Well, yes. Regardless, our Mother may be a whore, but she is still our Mother.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:07:38 +0000

AvantiBev — Wow! A searing point! Thank you for injecting a little practicality into the “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin” discussion. Onward Christian Soldiers.

By: Joe DeVet

Joe DeVet — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:05:34 +0000

jm — thank you. But a technical point. Indulgences don’t do a damn thing for the damned. They can only help a particular group of the saved, those still undergoing purgation (a truth of the faith for a whole ‘nother discussion!) Granted, the selling of indulgences was corrupt and deserved to be rebuked, but it was not tantamount to “selling salvation.”

And appropos of this subject, Happy All Souls Day everyone!

By: AvantiBev

AvantiBev — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:24:49 +0000

Meanwhile, back in Iraq –a part of the Dar al Islam— on Reformation Sunday, 58 Syrian Catholics are gunned down or blown to bits while at Mass by jihadis whose socio-political ideology (aka the “religion” of islam “submission”) teaches them that we Christians ALL are worshipping in dirty dens of idols. We kufirs (and our beloved dogs) are on the same list as feces, urine and blood in the teachings of Big Mo and his god, Allah.

Kind of tugs at your ecumenical heart strings, don’t it?! Debate faith and good works all you wish, but pass the ammunition.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:09:20 +0000

“But I remember the effect of his sermon, and it left many of us chastened. He made the reality and pain of separation and division real, visibly and painfully real when he could not receive the Eucharist from our altar.”

That right there is the better effect of Reformation Day sermons. Instead of the politics that eventually overwhelmed the Reformation, the person with the original insight still preaches. Luther took God at his word. Sin separates and condemns. He also took God at his Word that God had appeared in Jesus to heal our separation. I don’t think any revival anywhere heals separations like we have. It requires more than we can do. Too much politics and piety in between the camps. But God will still appear and heal it. That eternal angel from Revelation still cries.

By: Nancy Jane Lesser

Nancy Jane Lesser — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:59:42 +0000

This is the truth that I know. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. I hope we can all agree to that.

By: pentamom

pentamom — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:07:43 +0000

Was it an idea, or was it simply the outcome of the collective actions of many people on both sides of the issue? If by “Reformation” you mean the division of the Church, I don’t think any of the “major characters” of the early 15th century had any idea of “having a Reformation.”

By: Bill Tammeus

Bill Tammeus — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:34:21 +0000

Russ: Good piece. My National Catholic Reporter column scheduled to post Wednesday, Nov. 3, at http://ncronline.org/blogs/a-small-c-catholic will suggest that, all things considered from my Presbyterian perspective, maybe the Protestant Reformation wasn’t so grand an idea.