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Happy Reformation Day! Special Podcast and Round-Up
When I realized the law was one thing, and the gospel another, I broke through and was free. – M. Luther
1. Believe it or not, this week marks not only 499 years since the Protestant Reformation kicked off, but one year since The Mockingcast did. Coincidence?! You decide… In commemoration of both anniversaries (but mainly the former one), we put together a special episode. Scott, Sarah and myself open the festivities before handing the mic to Duo Dickinson and Paul Zahl for an extended reflection on the meaning of the day. Click here to listen.
2. Over at 1517 Project, our friend Scott Keith put together a super accessible guide to “Just What Are the Five Solas of The Reformation”. A great refresher for today.
3. Be sure to take a gander at Nick Lannon’s wonderful “Merry Halloween” post if you haven’t recently. A seasonal favorite for sure. Click here to peruse our Martin Luther archive, too.
4. On the grace-in-practice front, pretty amazing to read about Pope Francis’ trip to Sweden to celebrate the 500th Anniversary.
5. Mark your calendars for October 19-21, which is when the Here We Still Stand: A Reformation Conference takes place in San Diego. I’ll be there, and hope you will be too.
6. Don’t forget the Luther Insult Generator.
More as the day progresses.
P.S. Huge thank you to all those who helped make this past weekend’s conference in Oklahoma City such a beautiful time! Recordings will be available soon.
Happy Reformation Day (from Stephen Tyng)
Some wise words for Reformation Day from The Rev. Dr. Stephen Tyng, who served as rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in New York City (where we hold our Spring conferences) from 1845-1878:
It is true, you are required to repent of sin; and to obey the commands of God, in a new life of holiness. But these are the results of faith. You can have no repentance unto salvation, without believing in him whom you have pierced, who is exalted to bestow it. You cannot obey a single command, but by his power dwelling within you. All these gracious dispositions and habits are fruits of the Holy Spirit; and are so far from being any preceding qualification by which you obtain salvation, that they are themselves a part, and a most important part, of that very salvation, which is offered you freely in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the purchase of his obedience and death. “He that hath the son, hath life;” and all the traits and attributes, and acts of life, flow out from it.
Martin Luther Opens the Book (and Finds the Gift)
In honor of Reformation Day, another quote from the Great Reformer’s “A Brief Instruction on What to Look for and Expect in the Gospels” (1521):
“When you open the book containing the Gospels and read or hear how Christ comes here or there, or how someone is brought to him, you should therein perceive the sermon or the Gospel through which he is coming to you, or you are being brought to him. When you see how he works, however, and how he helps everyone to whom he comes or who is brought to him, then rest assured that faith is accomplishing this in you and that he is offering your soul exactly the same sort of help and favor through the gospel. If you pause here and let him do you good, that is, if you believe he benefits and helps you, then you really have it. Then Christ is yours, presented to you as a gift.”
Luther on Christian Freedom and the Bondage of the Law
Again, Happy Reformation Day! From his Commentary on Galatians: Paul seemeth here to compare those that seek righteousness by the law, unto oxen that are tied to the yoke. For like as oxen draw the yoke that draw the yoke with great toil, receive nothing thereby but forage and pasture, and thereafter are appointed for […]
Reformation Day Quiz: Punk Rock Edition
Early Reformation Day Quiz: Can you name the man in this picture? (Note the Stealth bomber bolo tie and unmistakable Halloween-themed Jack T. Chick tract) Here at Mockingbird, we’re always looking for people, places, and cultural artifacts “out there” that reflect the historic truths of the Christian message (helpfully articulated by the Reformers we celebrate […]
Luther didn’t start the fire: Jan Hus (1369-1415)
In celebration of Reformation Day, in addition to Luther, we’ll be looking at some of those reformers who are, perhaps, lesser known, but nevertheless paved his way–usually with their lives. One of the pervasive misconceptions about the Reformation is that it was a creation of that fateful day with the hammer in Wittenberg. In fact, […]
Michael Jackson’s Ghosts
With Halloween/Reformation Day almost here, what better time to revisit Michael Jackson’s 1996 little-seen opus Ghosts? Conceived as a Thriller-style mini-movie (or maxi-video), the 40-minute “horror” piece never really saw the light of day, and remains unavailable on DVD. Thank God for youtube! Thank God also for Nathan Rabin of The A/V Club, who just […]
Gerhard Ebeling on Reformation and Reality
A few excerpts from the preface to the English edition of Gerhard Ebeling’s Word and Faith (pp.9-10), because it is never too early to begin celebrating Reformation Day:) We can give expression to our own theological aim only by trying to say what it is that counts in present-day theological work as a whole. Our […]
Quick Quote From Martin Luther
“If God were willing to sell His grace, we would accept it more quickly and gladly than when He offers it for nothing.”
–Martin Luther (ht Justin Holcomb), from a lecture on on Genesis 25:31-34. What Luther Says: An Anthology.
And in that spirit, and in anticipation of Reformation Day/Halloween/This Is It and Gentlemen Broncos release weekend:
Which begs the question, what exactly is it about Luther and the 95 Theses that lends itself to rap songs in particular?
