Liberated by God’s Grace

            As you may have heard by now, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg.  This is a part of the history of most Protestant churches, and particularly of the Lutheran church.  Throughout the coming year, a number of things will be happening in order to commemorate this anniversary.  As we do so, it is important to keep in mind what is worth celebrating and what is not.

            For example, it is never something to celebrate when there is cause for division in the church.  Even Martin Luther did not want a schism.  However, he was left with no choice when he was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.  At the same time, it is always dangerous to assume that we have the gospel truth while others are grossly mistaken.  While we may not agree with others on everything, we most certainly can learn from one another as we walk with Christ.

            Thus, some of the commemoration events will focus on Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and other Christians studying some of the history together – a study that is entitled “From Conflict to Communion.”  This study will be held over 5 months, at 5 different locations around Winnipeg (beginning Feb. 28th).  While there are still things we will disagree on, Lutherans and Roman Catholics have, in fact, learned from one another in the years since the Reformation.

            As for things that are worth upholding and celebrating, you might remember just a few weeks ago when Jesus announced his mission of bringing good news to the poor.  At the time of the Reformation, the church had lost its way when it came to “good news to the poor.”  St. Peter’s in Rome was being built off the backs of the poor, who had been scared into buying indulgences that they could not afford.  They had been threatened with the fires of hell if they did not purchase indulgences both for themselves and for their dead relatives. Many of Luther’s 95 theses addressed this abuse of the poor, as well as the false notion that anybody could actually purchase salvation.  Instead, he emphasized how God has saved us as a gift – by grace through faith – and how it is Jesus who has purchased salvation at the cost of his own blood.  Essentially, it is Christ who saves us, and not we who save ourselves (cf. Eph. 2:8-10).

            Martin Luther did not invent this doctrine.  He simply lifted it up from the Scriptures in order to remind people of the freedom that is to be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Thus, the theme for the 500th Anniversary: “Liberated by God’s Grace.”

            As an expression of this theme and its three sub-themes (Salvation: Not for sale; Creation: Not for sale; Human Beings: Not for sale), the ELCIC adopted the Reformation Challenge, which continues through 2017.  If you’re not sure what this is, there are brochures in the narthex, or you can look it up on the ELCIC website.  After all, there continues to be good news to share.  Are there tangible ways that you can join in?

                        In Christ,

                        Pastor Lynne Hutchison