Reformation Heritage

From My Perspective - - -

While the culture is enthralled and involved with Halloween Costumes and Parties, October 31^st has a significant and important meaning for people all over the world. It was on this date in 1517 AD that Martin Luther made known his 95 Theses (Contentions-Protests) by nailing them to the door of All-Saints Church in Wittenberg, Saxony (in present day Germany). These were points of/for debate that criticized the Church and the Pope. The most controversial points centering on the practice of selling Indulgences, the Church’s policy on Purgatory, and the requirements for Penance. It also pointed out the high degree of corruption within the Church that reached to the highest levels of leadership.

As important as that date and posting of the 95 Theses was, there was other preliminary work that had been done earlier by other men of faith and conviction. Some of them were - - -

JOHN WYCLIFFE (1320-1384) was a theologian and early proponent of reform in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century. The first hand-written English language Bible manuscripts were produced in 1380's AD by Wycliffe, an Oxford professor, scholar, and theologian. He was well-known throughout Europe for his opposition to the teaching of the organized Church, which he believed to be contrary to the Bible. With the help of his followers, called THE LOLLARDS, and his assistant Purvey, and many other faithful scribes, Wycliffe produced dozens of English language manuscript copies of the Scriptures.

JOHN HUS (1369-1415) was one of Wycliffe’s followers…He actively promoted Wycliffe’s ideas that people should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language, and they should oppose the tyranny of the Roman church that threatened anyone possessing a non-Latin Bible with execution. Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, with Wycliffe’s manuscript Bibles used as kindling for the fire. The last words of John Hus were that, “in 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed.”

MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546) was a Christian theologian and Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation. Almost exactly 100 years after Hus’ death and prophecy - in 1517 - Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses of Contention onto the church door at Wittenberg.

WILLIAM TYNDALE - (1494-1536) a Biblical translator who overlapped Martin Luther, He was viewed as “the Captain of the Army of Reformers”, and was their spiritual leader. He holds the distinction of being the first man to ever print the New Testament in the English language. He was so fluent in eight languages that it was said one would think any one of them to be his native tongue. He is frequently referred to as the “Architect of the English Language”, as so many of the phrases he coined are still in our language today.

THE GENEVA BIBLE - printed in England in 1575 was a Protestant translation of the Bible into English. It was read by William Shakespeare, John Knox, and John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress. It was one of the Bibles taken to America on the Mayflower, It was used by many English Dissenters, and by Oliver Cromwell's soldiers at the time of the English Civil War.

KING JAMES VERSION – 1611 is an English translation of the Bible begun in 1604 and first published in 1611 by the Church of England.

Consider these things with me - - - and remember that we are to perpetuate this heritage as well. Take heart from the words of Isaiah 54:16-17 and heed them as well: “See - it is I – the Lord - who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Be filled with hope and courage as you implement this heritage from the Lord!