October 31, 2007

• Reformation Day 490 Years Later: Have You Ever . . .

  read the 95 Theses that Martin Luther nailed to the Wittenberg Door on October 31, 1517?

  I had not done so until this week. I quickly skimmed through them and I can't tell you I really understand them all, but here are a few that stood out to me:

  62. The true treasure of the Church is the Holy Gospel of the glory and grace of God.
  63. This treasure, however, is deservedly most hateful, because it makes the first to be last.
  64. While the treasure of indulgences is deservedly most acceptable, because it makes the last to be first.
  65. Hence the treasures of the Gospel are nets, wherewith of old they fished for the men of riches.
  66. The treasures of indulgences are nets, wherewith they now fish for the riches of men.

  Almost 500 years have passed since Luther wrote the Theses.

  How well do our congregations today cherish, guard, steward and uphold the "the true treasure of the Church," "the Holy Gospel of the glory and grace of God"?

  What 21st century indulgences do we treasure today instead of the Holy Gospel?

  • 8:05 AM
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