Daydreaming about a pilgrimage to Rome this year.. Martin Luther's trip was not very pleasant, so I'd not set my expectation too high.
Maybe try to relive the glory of Caesar's reign and gloat over its ruins?
Decode Da Vinci's secret messages?
Reenact Luther's reaction when confronted with magnificent Vatican buildings?
Be a gladiator at Colloseum?
What can we learn from Pope John Paul II?
Manifesto of an Apologist
Maybe try to relive the glory of Caesar's reign and gloat over its ruins?
Decode Da Vinci's secret messages?
Reenact Luther's reaction when confronted with magnificent Vatican buildings?
Be a gladiator at Colloseum?
What can we learn from Pope John Paul II?
Manifesto of an Apologist
Comments
Time 10.00pm
DISCOVERY OF GRACE
Since this afternoon I've soaked myself into some online literature about church history, and have found them inspiring, and enlightening. Wish to share it with you too.
Basically I was reading some internet resources abt St Peters Basillica in Rome where I've been last April, and will go again end of this month with my family. While reading on it, I was somehow led to other related links which narrated the struggle of Martin Luther in fighting against power of the Roman Catholic rule which brought oppression on believers by selling pardon of sins and undermining God's grace to all who believe, a message which is proclaimed across the scripture. Pope was deemed as the 'authority' of God and Pope at that time, abused his power by exercising force & political judgment to ensure that his views prevail in the midst of conflicting opinions.
Martin Luther, who began his life as a monk, then moved into the ivory towers after obtaining his bachelor degree, master degree and conferred doctoral degree in theology. During his career as an academician, he immersed himself in Scriptures through in-depth study. He came to realise the Christ’s death for our sins allows reconciliation to take place, where we may be counted righteous before God, not by our own works, but only by Christ's love on the cross which compels believers to live by faith (that results in good works). God's grace is sufficient for all. The people of God should not be subjected to the power of the Pope and the impositions of traditional religious duties to qualify for salvation.
Am so touched by how he has boldly confronted the great powers and the overwhelming threats against him, for pursuit of truth - nothing of monetary gain or profound fame. He, like many great souls in history who have fought beyond what the world may regards as worth fighting for.
Wow.. what a man.. and another thing that impressed me very much is the writings of his theses which transformed history. Come to think of the standard of thesis writings in the undergraduate or postgraduate studies today, I consider our present work as indeed trivial or even oblivious, if compared to his work which expresses his true conviction.
I’m particularly moved by this assertion, where someone wrote to him and asked how to answer the charge that the reformers (Christians) neglected pilgrimages, fasts and other traditional forms of piety.
Luther's replied: "If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign."
Wow.. this is mind-blowing.. what a statement, especially where he exhorted believers to be true to ourselves, in acknowledging our sinful nature, but as we do that; let us be unwavering in the power of Christ that triumphs over sin, death and the world. This message is meant to address the dilemma that binds us when dealing with duties/acts/traditions imposed by religion and our prevailing failure in meeting the standards which brings torment to our conscience, and our restless souls.
But the gospel is never to bring us condemnation but in the hope of God's saving grace and love which triumphs over judgement to those who believe. If the former is true, what 'good news' would that be?
Luther’s 92th and 93th theses give a simple yet profound flavour to the heart of the gospel…
“92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Peace, peace," and there is no peace!
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross!”
It is a pity to read that after Luther passed away, Roman Catholics and Protestants waged bitter and ferocious wars of religion against each other. This, I believe is never what Grace has meant to be.
As I reflect upon these, I’m further challenged to live my faith in practical demonstration, out of true conviction – of dispensing God’s grace and compassion to others, giving thanks to God for the liberty to serve God and to serve others. Let not the yoke of slavery to religious justifications prevail, but joy of freedom in Christ in the midst of this turbulent world.. which gives us hope for eternity.
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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Bible verses from Romans 8:38-39
Anyway, I went for a Luther Trip last year and it "opened" up my eyes to see the ordinariness as well as the extraordinariness surrounding Luther's life and teaching.
Most importantly ... it gave a kind of "concrete"-ness of the story surrounding the Reformation that I find myself often "reading" more into it then I realize!
But may be able to hop into White Horse Inn in UK though :) if time permits...