REVIEW - "HERE WE STAND: 31 REFORMERS, 1 PER DAY" BY DESIRING GOD

 Okay, how do I classify this? Is it a book? If so, it would be a good one, But there is no indication of it being published. Desiring God, connected to John Piper, released this on-line. When I saw it promoted in September, I signed up to receive it each day throughout October in honor of Reformation Day. I'm glad I did - it was a blessing.

How many reformers can you think of? I'll give you my list, and see how you do with it:

• John Wycliffe
• William Tyndale
• Jan Huss
• Simon Menno
• Peter Waldo
• Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther (the latter was the first person Warren Wiersbe introduced in "50 People Every Christian Should Know")
• Philip Melanchthon (my hero and personal favorite)
• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Knox
• John Calvin
• Theodore Beza
• Jacob Arminius

There are others I'd also think of, like Charles Simeon, Matthew Henry, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield, and Isaac Watts, but all these were too recent for this list. And I have a hunch my list of 13 is impressive, but short of what they had. By the way, only one I listed was not covered, meaning they had 18 or so (they had at least one pair included the same day) I hadn't heard of.

The list was full of variations. They had pre-reformers like Wycliffe and Hus, Anabaptists like Waldo and Menno, "Bride of the Reformation" Wibrandis Rosenblatt who married and was widowed by four reformers (three of which were also included in the list), and non-theologian Johannes Gutenberg whose printing press helped the Reformation have the effect it did.

I don't know how to find this collection - they didn't post it on Facebook, and as I mentioned above, it hasn't been published. But I recommend it. However, I was unsurprisingly disappointed they didn't have the guts to include Jacob Arminius! But then, they might have been disowned by their Calvinist brethren. And maybe, like the others I mentioned, Arminius may have been a little too late for this list. 

Allow me this brief post-script - I'm posting this on International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It's appropriate - many of them like Luther and Calvin had to flee from one place to a safer one, while others like Tyndale and Zqingli paid the ultimate price.

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR AND OTHER POST REFORMATION DAY THOUGHTS

The River Community Church, Cookeville, TN

Hope you've enjoyed my Reformation Day series, where I reviewed five books and an album. Let me close with some thoughts. 

Two of the five books I reviewed focused on the Reformation. Both books had several references to Augustine, Luther, and Calvin. But other reformers didn't get as much love. In one book, Melanchthon was mentioned four times and Zwingli twice; the other didn't list either. But that book did mention Wycliffe and Tyndale more. And is John Knox a Reformer? Neither book mentioned him. 

I looked up "Sola Scriptura" on Spotify, and found several selections listed. At first, I was excited - several albums on the subject I could review and lengthen this series! Alas, most of the selections were either rap (not my cup of tea), singles, in a foreign language, or in one case didn't reflect the subject of the title. 😭

I will mention that Reformation Day starts what I consider "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." No, Christmas isn't part of the time; in fact, my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving - isn't in that period. I could call it "Holy Week," though that name is taken. This time is a week (or less), and includes four days that are special to me. Two are set on the calendar, same date every year; the other two are always on the same day of the week. What are the four?

1. Reformation Day, October 31st. No duh. After all, I did say it started with Reformation Day, didn't I? I want to keep a Semper Reformanda mindset, always reforming.
2. All Saints Day, November 1st. No, I'm not a Catholic, and I don't define a saint as they do - I believe all Christians are saints, and I believe the New Testament backs that up. But I want a time to celebrate those who have been inspirations to me, whether they're currently in heaven or on earth.
3. International Day of Prayer For The Persecuted Church, 1st Sunday of November. (I'm actually writing this on that day.)
4. World Day of Prayer for Child Evangelism Fellowship, 1st Wednesday of November. 

So, let me end by trying to start a discussion. What do these four days I just mentioned mean to you? If you aren't thinking of those days, how can you make them more meaningful?

 

REFORMATION DAY SERIES PART 2 - ALBUM REVIEW: MENDELSSOHN IN BIRMINGHAM VOL. 1 (THE HEBRIDES, REFORMATION SYMPHONY, ITALIAN SYMPHONY) CONDUCTED BY

The Reformation Symphony is just part of this collection, but allow me to focus on it with Reformation Day just around the corner This is one of my favorite symphonies.

"Mendelssohn in Birmingham" is a 5 part series. It focuses on the German composer's visits to England, and the art work is a drawing by Mendelssohn of his performance in Birmingham. This first release features the overture "The Hebrides," and symphonies #5 (Reformation) and #4 (Italian).

 You can divide Mendelssohn's symphonies into three groups: The first, the two he composed but went unpublished until decades after his death, and the final two he composed but were the second and third published. While most composer's works are numbered in order of composition, Mendelssohn's are enumerated by publishing. I read that he did edit the Reformation and Italian symphonies but still didn't publish them; the commentator said the symphonies were better as originally written.

Let me move to the Overture "The Hebrides." It is a concert overture, that is, a stand alone composition. It was inspired when Mendelssohn visited Scotland, and was moved by the basalt sea cave on  island of Staffa known as "Fingal's Cave." This composition combines the mysterious with the triumphant.

Mendelssohn started the Reformation Symphony with the goal of it being used to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, written by my favorite Reformer, Philip Melanchthon. Unfortunately, health problems kept it from being performed at the celebration, leading to it not being published until 21 years after the composer's death.

Normally, the symphony's first movement is named after the key it starts in. Beethoven's first symphony was irregular because it started off meandering between the keys of C and F before settling into the former. This symphony was said to be in D major, but after a brief introduction in the stated key, Mendelssohn moved to the main theme in D minor, so this symphony is called in D major/D minor.

In contrast to the opening movement, the second is a joyful minuet in C major, a composition that always puts me in a good mood. One commentator said it didn't fit the theme. I disagree. To me, it captures the joy and freedom we have in Christ, exemplified by the five solas of the Reformation and the recognition of the Priesthood of the believer.

The third movement is slow and short, and without a real break transitions to a flute opening the final movement with the tune of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."  The meditative beginning transitions to a more upbeat segment.

There are some compositions that, when I hear it, I think I've heard it before but can't name it. This is true of the opening movement of the Italian Symphony. The first movement is lively, followed by a mournful second movement and a cheerful though mostly slow third movement (though it has a couple of rousing fanfares. The finale is one of the most lively conclusions.

One tradition I do for Reformation Day is put on this collection as I'm getting ready to call it a night.

PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH, PART 3 OF 3 - PASTORS I'VE NEVER MET

 

 

My bookshelf (it's been rearranged once or two dozen times since).

In this three part series, I've looked at pastors who have been behind the pulpit with me sitting under their ministry. I've also looked at pastors who were primarily sitting at one side of a McDonald's table with a cup of hot coffee and me on the other side with a cup of iced coffee. 

However, God had used people in the role of pastor I have never met. Sometimes, it's because their influence was more via television or radio or books they've written, with me observing from a place they can't see me. In other cases, they are individuals who finished their race before I started mine. I'll be mentioning "pastors" I appreciate who were, in a sense, behind the veil. And these I'll list alphabetically - more challenging for me, but it might make this list more interesting!

1. Kay Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries.
   
2. Athanasius, church father and influence on the Nicene Creed.
   
3. Margaret Becker, Christian singer/songwriter.
   
4. Rosaria Butterfield, author of The Gospel Comes With A House Key, dealing with hospitality and community.
   
5. Steve Camp, Christian singer/songwriter, pastor. 
6. Michael Card, Christian singer/songwriter, author.
   
7. Rod Dreher, author of The Benedict Option, focusing on community.
   
8. Les Feldick, host of "Through The Bible with Les Feldick, focusing on the importance of Paul.
   
9. Ronnie Lee Floyd, former SBC President.
   
10. Todd Friel, host of Wretched Radio.
    
11. J. D. Greear, former SBC president.
12. Keith Green, Christian singer/songwriter.
    
13. Gary Habermas, apologist.
    
14. Dave Hunt, author/apologist.
    
15. Eric Liddle, Olympic runner, missionary.
    
16. John MacArthur, pastor, author, radio minister. 
17. Daniel McCabe, singer/songwriter for the Daniel Band. 
18. Dr. J. Vernon McGee, pastor, host of Thru The Bible Radio.  
19. Philip Melanchthon, reformer, co-laborer with Martin Luther. 
20. Russell Moore, seminary professor, former ERLC President.
21. J. P. Moreland, apologist, author of Love Your God With All Your Mind.  
22. Rich Mullins, Christian singer/songwriter.
23. Kerry Nietz, author of the Peril In Plain Space trilogy, which emphasizes community (don't be scared off by the book titles or book covers). 
24. Ed O'Neil, founding member of Dixie Melody Boys.
    
25. Janet Parshall, hostess of "In The Market" on Moody Radio.
    
26. David Platt, author, pastor, former International Mission Board president.
    
27. Frank Reich, formal football player, Colts coach, seminary professor.
    
28. Carroll Roberson, Southern Gospel singer. 
29. Francis Schaeffer, author. 
30. Charles Simeon, pastor who dealt with adversity.
    
31. Charles Simmons, pastor and radio minister. 
32. Charles Stanley, pastor, radio/TV minister.
    
33. Tertullian, church father. 
34. Cal Thomas, journalist.
    
35. Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Pathways.
    
36. Isaac Watts, pastor, hymn writer, author of logic textbooks and cathecisms.
37. Charles Wesley, co-founder of the Methodist church, evangelist/pastor, hymn writer. 
38. George Whitfield, co-founder of the Methodist church, missionary/evangelist.
39. Malcolm Wild, Christian musician.
    
40. Richard Wurmbrand, pastor, author of Tortured for Christ, founder of Jesus To The Communist World (now known as Voice Of The Martyrs).

Have any authors/historical figures/musicians/TV and radio ministers been an influence on your life?

DO WE NEED A NEW REFORMATION?

 

 

I remember a few years ago a Catholic friend who first asked why Protestants thought Catholics really were that bad, and then questioning why the church doesn't unite (as Catholics, of course). 

This was a good example of what a book on logic I read in college called "The Fallacy of False Alternatives." Either Catholics are evil or Catholics are the true church. No in between to choose from.

I firmly disagree. I believe there are two other alternatives. And while my two alternatives don't fit with either of the two extremes listed above, they are compatible with each other and can both be true. Those alternatives?

1. Every generation and every movement has both wheat and tares, both sheep and goats.
2.  Every movement will start strong in the faith but will drift from the truth and will eventually need reformation, with the reformer and the reformation being resisted by the status quo.

We have several strong leaders to be thankful for, who stood for the Word of God in spite of opposition. Most would think of Martin Luther, John Calvin, William Tyndale, and Ulrich Zwingli, and many would include forerunners like Jon Wycliffe and Jan Hus or successors like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and the Wesleys. Too often, we forget Luther's teammate Philip Melanchthon, who composed the Augsburg  Confession realizing his life was in the balance while writing it or underestimate the role of hymn writer Isaac Watts. And many would hesitate to include Jacob Arminius, who was studying under Theodore Beza when his village declared itself Protestant and its residents - including his family - were raped and murdered by Catholic mercenaries, dealing with the question of whether those atrocities were predestined by God or done by the free will of wicked men. Agree with him or not, Arminius took a stand based on his conscience not unlike Luther's.

Do we need a Reformation today? Glance back at the second of the two alternatives for the answer. Evangelicals may not give the Church ultimate loyalty as was the case in the 1500s, but do we have such trust in the government (or, more accurately, the political party we associate with)? Are we attempting to live our lives by Sola Scriptura, or are we trusting science, psychology, the media, etc. and adjusting our view of Scripture to fit our worldview?

To be honest, I believe there is an attempted Reformation going on, but this reformation is a departure from truth instead of a return to it. So called Progressive Christianity is an example. Our woke culture is another. A Libertarian friend of mine, Jared Hall, wrote, "Compromises rely on multiple parties coming together to workshop. If a compromise is one sided, it’s not really a compromise." There are theological and political winds that some want a one-sided compromise.

Some who hold to Critical Race Theory believe that to be white or to be Christian or to be male is to be an oppressor. The reality is to be human is to be a potential oppressor. There have been instances when the oppressed gain power and they at best match the level of oppressiveness as those they overthrew - at worst, they become worse. 

Don't forget the massacre of Jacob Arminius' hometown of Oudewater. Realize that Tyndale was burned at the stake with a chain around his neck. Remember that many wanted to execute Luther and that Zwingli was killed in battle. And then, commit to memory the often quoted (not) Scripture, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12)

Finally, recall the five solas of the Reformation. Most importantly, are we living them? Do we believe we're saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone? Is our source of spiritual authority solely Scripture? And of the utmost importance, are we living only for the glory of God?

 I know. I said "Finally" a paragraph above. This time, I mean it as I add two more thoughts: 

1. We need to pray for God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth (meaning in you) as it is in heaven. This is asking for a reformation, and declaring a revolution against the god of this age. And there's a cost to that prayer.
2. We need to ask if God has called you to be a Luther nailing thesis on the door, a Melanchthon writing a statement knowing it could be exhibit A in a capital case against him, a Tyndale willing to die so others have God's Word where they can understand it.

What's your role in the next reformation?

HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!!!