Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Reformation Day!

Happy Reformation Day! I hope you make much of this day and the truths it commemorates with you family and church this weekend. My family gathered around last night to listen to Max McLean’s wonderful rendition of Luther’s defense at Worms, “Martin Luther’s- Here I Stand” (available for free download through tomorrow!). He includes not only Luther’s speech but also sets the scene well and records Luther’s prayer before his defense. It is very well done. Older children can follow well and I was happy for younger ones to catch whatever they could. :)

One impact of the Reformation was renewed attention to the value of family life, as they recovered the truth that all of life (not just explicitly religious things) is valued by God. Luther was a key voice in trumpeting the value and importance of family and the raising of children (as I have noted previously).

Here is another great Luther quote I just came across today:
“Now since we are all duty bound to suffer death, if need be, that we might bring a single soul to God, you can see how rich the estate of marriage is in good works. God has entrusted to its bosom souls begotten of its own body, on whom it can lavish all manner of Christian works. Most certainly father and mother are apostles, bishops, and priests to their children, for it is they who make them acquainted with the gospel.”
What a wonderful ministry we parents have. Let us be faithful in it. And make the most of the opportunity which this Reformation Day gives you.

Here are some other books reviewed previously here that are useful on the Reformation:
Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World,
Reformation Heroes

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