United Methodist News ~ Friday, 1 November 2013
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“Considering Korea’s challenging historical situation, this assembly has exhibited a model (for) breaking barriers, which is essential to the ecumenical movement.” — The Rev. Larry Pickens, a United Methodist member of the World Council of Churches Central Committee.
Do United Methodists believe in saints?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — United Methodists believe in saints, but not in the same manner as the Catholic Church.
We recognize Matthew, Paul, John, Luke and other early followers of Jesus as saints, and countless numbers of United Methodist churches are named after these saints.
We also recognize and celebrate All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and "all the saints who from their labors rest." All Saints' Day is a time to remember Christians of every time and place, honoring those who lived faithfully and shared their faith with us. On All Saints' Day, many churches read the names of their members who died in the past year.
However, our denomination does not have any system whereby people are elected to sainthood. We do not pray to saints, nor do we believe they serve as mediators to God. United Methodist believe "... there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6a).
United Methodists call people "saints" because they exemplified the Christian life. In this sense, every Christian can be considered a saint.
John Wesley believed we have much to learn from the saints, but he did not encourage anyone to worship them. He expressed concern about the Church of England's focus on saints' days and said that "most of the holy days were at present answering no valuable end."
Wesley's focus was entirely on the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
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Colorful banners honor church saints by Barbara Dunlap~Berg
Some churches toll bells as names are read. In other congregations, members light candles to remember the saints who have died during the past year. Often, family members display framed photos of their loved ones.
But at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, Tenn., All Saints Day is one of celebration as the children’s choirs lead a procession of song and colorful banners.
As the congregation and choirs join in “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God,” white-robed children — carrying banners in liturgical colors of purple, red, green and white — process through the sanctuary and into the choir loft.
The purple banner adorned with brightly hued rainbows, hearts and a cross remembers children’s choir member Amanda Young, who died of leukemia at age 6 in 2002. Thinking of her daughter’s banner, Beth Young wipes a tear.
“Amanda was vivacious, angelic and always wanting to do for others,” the proud mother said. “She was very spiritual — 6 going on 26.”
The banners represent the lives of many other cherished “saints” remembered by the church on this special day.
The congregation “continues to embrace our girls,” said Mamie Jeter, whose 19-year-old daughter Katie died in auto accident in 2004.
Katie’s banner features a bookmark from a mission trip to Mexico, an open Bible, cheerleading pom-poms, tiny pink flip-flops and a pink rose to represent her sorority. In her last e-mail to her mom, Katie wrote, “I love my life,” and that phrase, too, appears on her banner.
For Katie, Mamie Jeter said, “it was not all about me.” Worshipers are reminded during the service that they are part of a larger communion of saints.
That’s one of the main lessons of the church’s All Saints service.
As the children recess, adults gather the banners and hang them in the balcony so that when the congregation leaves, they see the host of banners of their saints surrounding them.
“I have heard many say this is the most meaningful service of the entire church year,” said Sarah McGinley, who has directed preschool and kindergarten choirs at the church since 1982.
Relationships strengthen faith community
When the banner tradition began in the mid-1990s, choir children and their parents met on a Sunday afternoon and cut fabric, drew symbols that represented the honoree’s life and assembled simple banners. Later, a mother offered to make double-sided banners with decorative stitching on the edges. She has provided about 20 to 30 a year for the past six or seven years.
Although children and their parents still make some of the banners, other talented people in the church have asked through the years to make a banner for someone they loved. Some families make their own.
On her mother’s banner, McGinley said, “we had the cross and flame in the UMW format, a flower arrangement, sewing things, cooking things and a little clothesline at the bottom with little shirts and dresses from clothes she actually made my children representing her three children and 13 grandchildren.”
Some years, they have opened the banner making to include anyone in a choir member’s family who has died in the past so that every child could carry a banner. They even made some for other “saints” such as St. Francis of Assisi, Charles Wesley and John Wesley.
“We surround the congregation with the banners,” McGinley said. “On some occasions, we come in led by a bell frame that has bells representing all those who have died in the past year. Sometimes candles are lit as each name is read during the service, but we always process in for the call to worship or opening hymn with the banners.”
The banners are returned to family members after the service, and some have even had them framed. “They are so treasured,” McGinley said, “and relationships are built within our community of faith.”
During choir time each week starting in September, McGinley shows banners from the past and talks about All Saints Day. She explains how they are going to remember all those in the congregation who have joined the company of saints in heaven. Even the preschoolers learn all three verses of “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.”
“Many children need little rehearsal because they have sung it every year they have been in choir beginning when they were 3 years old,” McGinley said. They discuss saints such as St. Luke, St. Joan of Arc, St. Margaret and St. Ignatius, and during rehearsals dress up like some of the saints mentioned in the song.
‘So great a cloud of witnesses’
Ann Hill has lost track of the number of banners she has made over the years. She was putting finishing touches on a crimson banner honoring the late Bill Farmer, a close friend’s father. The banner offers a capsule view of his life: a U.S. flag for his World War II military service, wedding rings for his marriage of 60 years, three silhouettes for his three children, and a cross for his commitment to his faith.
“He always wore a ball cap that said USS Texas,” Hill recalled.
Teaching children and the congregation about the “great cloud of witnesses” of which the apostle Paul wrote in Hebrews is important to McGinley.
“When we engage children,” she said, “we provide ways — little glimpses — for them to see this is what the faith is about.
“I love the words (in the song) that say, ‘You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store, in church, by the sea, in the house next door,’” she added.
“It is so important for the children to understand that these saints loved their Lord just like they do and that they too, one day, will join all those in heaven who loved their Lord.”
*Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications.
News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5489 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
First published October 29, 2010. First United Methodist Church in Franklin, Tenn., continues this tradition of honoring those saints who have died during the year.
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Everyday ‘saints’ transform lives, faith by Barbara Dunlap~Berg
On Sunday, Nov. 6, United Methodists will celebrate All Saints Sunday. Whom will you remember on this day and why?
When we posed that question on the United Methodist Church Facebook page, we received more than 160 responses.
Many named specific loved ones and friends, while others listed pillars of their congregation.
When Kelvin Chitowo of Windhoek, Namibia, thinks of All Saints Day, the Rev. Conrad Chigumira comes to mind.
“Rev. Chigumira was a man of charisma,” Chitowo said. “He traveled all over Zimbabwe, preaching the good news to the people. He was loving, Spirit-filled and bold. For him, a ‘yes’ was a ‘yes’ and a ‘no' was a ‘no.’ He contributed very much in planting many United Methodist churches in Zimbabwe. He could go to areas where many pastors fear; he could do it without salary but for the glory of God. I loved him.”
The Rev. Ruth Craver Shannon, now retired, has similar memories of the Rev. Warren Tropf, a retired member of the East Ohio Annual (regional) Conference. “He was, like Enoch, one who ‘walked, and walked with God, and walked no more,’ a great colleague, mentor and friend.”
Ana Marie Carles Agad, who now works in Amman, Jordan, wrote about the grandfather who raised her and shared his love of God.
“He was our mentor,” Agad said. “We used to go to church every Sunday. We never missed (the opportunity) to visit God's home to thank him for all the blessings we had. Now that (my grandfather) is gone, it's very difficult to adjust. I miss him so much.”
‘Taught me what faith was all about’
Iraida Ruiz is a licensed local pastor serving two United Methodist churches in New Jersey — First, Hasbrouck Heights, and Trinity, Paterson. She has fond memories of her grandmother, Cuqui, “who taught me what faith was all about and the importance of the Holy Spirit in my life.”
Memories of “Great-Grandmother Nell” Fleming Nantz sustain Jesse Carswell. Her “faith and strength guided her family through difficult circumstances for the majority of her 99-year life,” he said. “She impacted not only her home church — Oak Hill United Methodist, Morganton, N.C. — but (also) three generations of United Methodists. ‘Nanny,’ as she was called by everyone, extended the notion of grace, forgiveness and compassion in her daily life. I thank God for her faith and for her place among the ‘cloud of witnesses’ in the Church Triumphant.”
Similarly, “Aunt Virginia” Harroff — Marge Hess Yetzke’s faith model — lived to be 100. “I attended church and Sunday school with her every week,” recalled Yetzke, a member of Coloma (Mich.) United Methodist Church. “She read me stories of the Bible when I was little, and we shared our faith as I grew. She was the kindest person I ever knew.”
Lisa Taylor Hartmann of Lawrence Chapel United Methodist Church, Central, S.C., remembers her father, Lynn Richard Taylor, who died July 12 this year. “Being able to care for him at home, with the help of hospice, was the best worst time in my life,” she wrote.
While Jacqueline Coldiron’s father was “very important” to her, he also influenced others. He taught the high school boys’ Sunday school class. “They were very special to him,” she said. When her dad became very ill, a former student happened to be in town and stopped to visit him. “He left crying, saying Dad was the only dad he had ever known.” She lives in Cumberland, Ky.
‘The saints are lucky to have her’
Anne Reed of Buffalo, N.Y., admired the courage of her mother who died five years ago. “She raised my sister and me by herself. She was a strong woman!”
Writing from Greensboro, N.C., Crystal VunCannon Nickell said her mom “taught me as much in her dying as she did in her living. I was lucky to have her in my life for 55 years. The saints are lucky to have her. Miss her every day.”
Often on All Saints Sunday, United Methodists light candles to remember friends and family members. Ceil McClellan of Asbury United Methodist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas, will light one for an active member who died this year.
“John Clements … was involved in Emmaus, Celebrate Recovery, Sunday school and anywhere else he was needed. He had a double lung transplant and fought a valiant battle. … I am proud to have called him ‘friend.’”
A young woman who died of brain cancer this year was a saint to Jan Johnson Mobley of Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tenn. She described Jennifer McDonald this way. “Her love for the Lord shined in everything she touched. She was an amazing young woman that I was blessed to know.”
Another saint was Elaine Belham, a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Gulfport, Miss. “She was an inspiration (and) was a driving force behind many charitable organizations,” said Brent Powell, another Trinity member. “She was always helping the less fortunate and the elderly.”
‘I would be a great man if I would live like them’
Bishop Deborah L. Kiesey of the Dakotas Annual Conference, said, “When I think of All Saints Day, I remember the Rev. Merlin Ackerson. I worked as an associate with him early in my ministry, and I often think of the wise counsel he offered – counsel that has guided me well throughout my ministry. In particular, I remember his passion for social justice and his boldness in proclaiming that passion.
“But perhaps the most important thing I learned from him is this: when someone is working against you or seems to be a ‘thorn in your flesh,’ look deeper and find where they are hurting in their lives and recognize that pain is probably the cause of their actions. That advice has helped me try to see beneath hurtful actions, and see the person instead. Good advice from a wise pastor.”
“I have many that I might not call saints,” said John C. Tracey of Spring, Texas. “They are more like heroes of my faith. I … would be a great man if I would live like them.”
Perhaps Laura B. Smith Robinson of St. James United Methodist Church, Danville, Ill., summed it best. “There are many good people who have encouraged and inspired me spiritually along my faith journey. I remember them on All Saints Day and think of them throughout the year. Some were Methodists and some from other faith communities. I owe them much and bless the memories I have of them.”
*Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications.
News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5489 newsdesk@umcom.org.
First published November 4, 2011.
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WCC assembly hopes to break barriers in divided Korea by Gladys Mangiduyos
BUSAN, South Korea (UMNS) — Thousands of people — representing about 560 million Christians in 110 countries — are attending the first assembly of the World Council of Churches to be held in northeast Asia.
The 10th WCC Assembly’s opening prayer Oct.30 included vibrant music from the 500-voice choir and an inspiring message of blessing from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.
He emphasized that the church’s moral preaching “must be an extension of Christ’s example of love and compassion…creating society not entirely without wounds, but with the spiritual tools to heal those wounds.”
Having the Oct. 30-Nov. 8 gathering on the Korean peninsula is a significant part of its mission. “Holding the assembly here in Busan is starting initiatives of diplomacy between two Koreas, it has concretized what role the church should play,” explained the Rev. Larry Pickens, a United Methodist member of the WCC Central Committee.
“Considering Korea’s challenging historical situation, this assembly has exhibited a model (for) breaking barriers, which is essential to the ecumenical movement.”
Korea’s pain and suffering during the 1950-53 Korean conflict has continued on, as was creatively presented in a musical performance for the assembly about Korea’s 5,000-year history and the growth of its churches. With a commitment to peace, the closing vision focused on the reunification of the Korean peninsula.
Witnessing for peace
A couple of days before the assembly started, a “Peace Train” organized by the National Council of Churches in Korea to raise awareness of the continuing division and campaign for reunification pulled into the Busan station.
Exposing young people to the witness of people of faith in Korea and elsewhere is imperative to the ecumenical movement. “It is fulfilling our duty as (the) WCC, which is a strong influence on unification, and it is bringing light to the very foundation where solutions to conflicts stem from,” said Christine Housel, top executive, World Student Christian Federation.
A priest from the Greek Orthodox Church in Lebanon, the Rev. George Dimas, said that converging in Busan in solidarity with the emerging growth of Korea Christians, in the midst of their pain and suffering, is what ecumenical movement is all about.
In her letter to the United Methodist delegation at the assembly, Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, president of the denomination’s Council of Bishops, remarked upon being in solidarity by listening to the voices that never are heard.
“In the near neighborhood of Busan, there is a border that divides a nation,” she wrote. “Families and churches are separated from each other and in one part of Korea people are suffering from hunger and oppression.
“This is one example, of many, where you together with all delegates and participants will hopefully speak up in solidarity with those who are not able to make their voices heard.”
Solidarity as a people of justice and peace can be achieved by “undertaking a personal outreach to others, by regarding fellow human beings, without exception, in the full dignity and holiness of their personhood…,” Karekin II said. “Jesus leads us to a world of many dimensions: a house of many mansions, where many different people, from many different walks of life, can find a true home.”
* Gladys Mangiduyos, a deaconess in the United Methodist Philippines Central Conference, is a UMNS correspondent at the World Council of Churches 10th Assembly in Busan, South Korea. News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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The pumpkin patch gospel by Patrick Scriven with the Reverend Shane Moore and Terri Entze
CLARKSTON, Wash. (UMNS) — “The love of Christ is the most important message we carry
and when our churches are living that love out,
that is a message we must be willing to share.”~-The Rev. Shane Moore
Just after lunch on a beautiful, late October day, the first graders of Highland Elementary School were heading to church to get some pumpkins.
About a half-mile from the school is their destination – Clarkston United Methodist Church (Clarkston, Wash.) and its large garden that produces over 2000 pounds of fresh food each summer for the local food bank. Last May, kindergarten and first grade students were invited to plant pumpkin seeds and now these children were back to see what had grown. Last spring’s first graders were taught a lesson in giving as their pumpkins were to be harvested by a new class of kindergarteners the following day.
Tana Truscott, a member of the Church helped to start this new expansion of its garden ministry, recruiting volunteers from the congregation and the Asotin County Master Gardeners group. The well-organized team helped the first graders rotate through pumpkin picking and cleaning, a couple of fun learning components, and also provided a variety of tasty pumpkin-based snacks.
In the spring of 2012 the Church’s outreach community began to explore how it could partner effectively with the local elementary school. As the idea of planting pumpkins surfaced, they worked intentionally with the school to see how the project could complement the work of teachers in the classroom. Science classes are using the event as an opportunity to talk about seeds, germination and how something like the pumpkin is produced in a variety of ways into things we can use and eat.
The Rev. Shane Moore, Clarkston UMC’s pastor, expressed what he loves about this project of the church: “What’s great about this ministry is that it runs without micromanaging from the pastor. The idea, planning, and implementation are laity driven. They are excited about using the garden to reach local children.”
Like a proud parent, he was also eager to share with people what Clarkston UMC is up to. With the laity on top of the details and implementation of the pumpkin patch, Moore turned his attention to helping the church communicate the good work it is engaged in with the surrounding community.
“I spent time intentionally working to spread the word about the pumpkin patch,” shares Moore. “Too often we are afraid to share our stories because we worry that it will come across as bragging. But what we must remember is that we have a message that needs to be shared.”
Moore reached out to an employee of a local non-profit to get help in writing a press release that the church then distributed to the local newspaper, television station, and school district. Their partnership with the Master Gardeners group also led to a member of that group willing to produce a short video of the project.
Still, some might question why a church would spend time reaching out to the local press or in sharing about an event on the Internet. But for Moore, the answer is clear: “The love of Christ is the most important message we carry and when our churches are living that love out, that is a message we must be willing to share.”
For more information on Clarkston UMC, visit clarkstonumchurch.com or
visit its Facebook page at bit.ly/clarkston-umc-church.
Patrick Scriven serves as the director of communications for the PNWUMC.
DOWNLOAD CHANNELS 67 HERE.
Des Moines UMC feeds in Body, Mind and Spirit • #givingtuesdsay • WJC Stepping Out Event • Make It Happen at Assembly 2014 • Clarkston UMC and Highland Elementary School Pumpkin Patch • Dr. Monica Coleman speaks at The Well • Rethinking Our Camps in the Midst of Change • Listen, Listen, Love, Love: Working with At-Risk Youth • On the Shelf: Advent Resources • Journeys: Certified Lay Minister Training • Musings: The State of the Modern Church • Bishop: Testing our Assumptions • To subscribe to Channels, e-mail channels@pnwumc.org.
Des Moines UMC feeds in Body, Mind and Spirit • #givingtuesdsay • WJC Stepping Out Event • Make It Happen at Assembly 2014 • Clarkston UMC and Highland Elementary School Pumpkin Patch • Dr. Monica Coleman speaks at The Well • Rethinking Our Camps in the Midst of Change • Listen, Listen, Love, Love: Working with At-Risk Youth • On the Shelf: Advent Resources • Journeys: Certified Lay Minister Training • Musings: The State of the Modern Church • Bishop: Testing our Assumptions • To subscribe to Channels, e-mail channels@pnwumc.org.
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Local church racial/ethnic ministries grants available
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – Applications for grants up to $10,000 to help local United Methodist churches build ministries that strengthen and support racial and ethnic church concerns are due on Jan. 15.
Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns
Note: Please be sure to open this file in Adobe Reader, not just through your browser window. It is a writeable pdf.
GBOD 2013-2016 RELCC Grant Criteria
The ministry/project must be a project of a local United Methodist church or of the United Methodist connectional system.
The ministry/project must contribute directly to the mission and ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ and must be consistent with the doctrine and social principles of the United Methodist 2012 Book of Discipline.
The ministry/project must focus on developing and strengthening the racial ethnic local church for witness and mission.
The ministry/project must be related to one or more of the essential services provided by the General Board of Discipleship’s ministry areas.
Accountable Discipleship
Christian Education
Curriculum Resources
Evangelism
Family & Life-Span Ministries
Lay Ministries
Leadership Development
Spiritual Formation
Stewardship
Worship
The ministry/project must involve racial ethnic church members in the planning, leadership, and decision-making.
NOTE
Priority will be given to new programs. Grants funded in the previous quadrennium of 2009-2012 will not be given priority for funding in 2013-2016. Our emphasis is to fund new entities for the 2013-2016 quadrennium.
Maximum grant is $10,000.00.
Funds are not provided for personnel and equipment. Applicants are encouraged to consult with General Board of Discipleship staff for guidance in preparing the application.
Contact for Information: Cheryl LaTanya Walker
clwalker@gbod.org
(877) 899-2780 ext. 7167 [toll free]
clwalker@gbod.org
(877) 899-2780 ext. 7167 [toll free]
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Perkins seeks nominees for laity award
DALLAS (UMNS) — Perkins School of Theology at United Methodist-related Southern Methodist University is accepting nominations for the 2014 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award. The Seals Award is presented annually to laypersons in the United States who embody the Christian faith and commitment of service to Christ in the church, community and world. The deadline is Dec. 2. Nominations must be submitted in writing either by U.S. Mail to the Office of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations, Perkins School of Theology, P.O. Box 750133, Dallas, TX 75275-0133 or by email to Rev. Connie L. Nelson, clnelson@smu.edu.
Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award
Nominations and Criteria
The Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award is presented annually to a layperson embodying the Christian faith and commitment of service to Christ as exemplified by Judge Seals, a distinguished layperson whose interest and energy were instrumental in establishing the Perkins Theological School for the Laity.
Nominations for the 2014 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award will be accepted through December 2, 2013.
Selection is based upon the nominee’s Christian stewardship, witness, and service in the following three areas: Church, Community and World.
Nominations must include:
• A one- to four-page document including a biographical narrative and examples of nominee’s activities showing commitment to Christian service within the three areas of Church, Community, and World
• A minimum of three and maximum of twelve letters of recommendation from clergy and lay leadership of nominee’s congregation and/or denomination, as well as supplemental letters of support from other church or community organizations and officials
• Contact information for primary sponsor who will serve as the contact for Perkins School of Theology
The person submitting the nomination should compile all materials and mail as one package to:
Office of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations
Perkins School of Theology
PO Box 750133
Dallas, TX 75275-0133
Perkins School of Theology
PO Box 750133
Dallas, TX 75275-0133
Alternatively, letters and other supporting documentation may be sent together as attachments via e-mail to:
Rev. Connie L. Nelson, clnelson@smu.edu
Director of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations
Director of Public Affairs and Alumni/ae Relations
Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award Recipients
The Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award is presented annually to a layperson embodying the Christian faith and commitment of service to Christ as exemplified by Judge Seals, a distinguished layperson whose interest and energy were instrumental in establishing the Perkins Theological School for the Laity.
2012: William E. "Bill" Turner
2011: Jackie A. Strange
2010: Donna Dean Hutcherson
2009: Larry D. Warren
2008: Arlene Andrews
2007: Barbara Wendland
2006: Dan David Franck
2005: Lonnie D. Brooks
2004: Vivian Oliver
2003: Norm & Lynda Peters
2002: Stanley C. Sager
2001: Carrol Key
2000: Dr. Solomon Christian
1999: Kathryn and Richard Seymour
1998: Harold E. Batiste, Jr.
Floyd E. Dixon, Sr.
Iweeta B. McIntosh
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Newkirk
Charles and Mary Ward
Floyd E. Dixon, Sr.
Iweeta B. McIntosh
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Newkirk
Charles and Mary Ward
1997: Ruth A. Daugherty
Paul R. Ervin
Elizabeth Espersen
Ike Griffin
Margaret Fox Tarr
Paul R. Ervin
Elizabeth Espersen
Ike Griffin
Margaret Fox Tarr
1996: Mike Fenton
Debi Partridge
Debi Partridge
1995: Tom Brian
Doris Fair
Marvin and Marilynn Loyd
Doris Fair
Marvin and Marilynn Loyd
1994: Earl R. and Martha Lee Lyles Wilson
Elizabeth Johannaber
Elizabeth Johannaber
1993: Betty Anderson
Isabelle Collora
Roger Guissinger
Bill and Joan Hataway
Joe and Loise Westendorff
Isabelle Collora
Roger Guissinger
Bill and Joan Hataway
Joe and Loise Westendorff
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Nailed it! (A word for Reformation Day)
HOUSTON (UMNS) — Martin Luther “did that which only a handful of people have ever done, changing the course of human history,” writes the Rev. C. Chappell Temple, pastor of Lakewood United Methodist Church. He shares why United Methodists can find much to celebrate each Oct. 31.
He did that which only a handful of people have ever done, changing the course of human history. For the world which Martin Luther left behind when he died in 1546 was strongly different than the one into which he was born some fifty-seven years earlier.
Luther’s story is well known, or at least it used to be. For it is said that more books have been written about this son of a copper miner than about any other figure in history, save that of Jesus Christ himself. Long ago Erik Erikson, the coiner of the term “identity crisis,” even penned a post-mortem “psychoanalysis” of Luther in which he tried to explain the German monk’s behavior looking back half a millennia later.
In the end, however, the lasting legacy of Martin Luther can perhaps be summed up in just three simple phrases: sola scriptura, sola gratia, sola fidei.
The first, sola scriptura, means that there is an external source of authority for us all, no matter how clever or self-reliant we deceive ourselves in thinking that we might be. For when it comes to understanding both who God is, and who He desires for us to be, we must always look not to the cues of the culture but to the witness of the Word—the Logos which became flesh and dwelt among us, but also that which was entrusted to the prophets and saints of old. Or as our Methodist founder John Wesley put it, we must be a people of “one book,” and that is the scriptures.
Sola Gratia, however, means that it is by grace alone that any of us can ever come close to getting it right. For without God’s grace, all of our efforts to reform ourselves (much less reform others) will come to naught. And if we are indeed wholly dependent upon God’s grace for ourselves, would it not be only right that we learn how to extend that same kind of grace to all those around us, even the ones with whom we most may disagree?
Then sola fidei simply reminds us that it is by faith alone that we can stand before God, not on the basis of any of our good works or even good intentions. For when Luther discovered for himself that it is not just penance, but genuine repentance, that God desires, everything changed for him.
Confronted by a church hierarchy more interested in building great cathedrals than in saving individual souls, the lawyer turned professor thus turned to the pen to express his theological convictions, writing out 95 propositions for debate. His theses dealt principally with the question of selling indulgences, a practice of the church at the time (and still the most effective fund-raising scheme ever) which promised “time off for good behavior” in purgatory in exchange for helping to renovate St. Peter’s in Rome.
And then—as was the custom– to open the conversation, Luther posted his points on the cathedral doors at Wittenberg where he taught. And the firestorm which Luther’s propositions set off led not only to the formation of the entire Protestant movement, but to a genuine reformation in the thinking of all Christians, both Catholic and Protestant alike.
Or, in short, we could suggest that when Martin Luther tacked up his theses 496 years ago today, that he quite literally “nailed it” when it came to arguing for the genuine power of the gospel over the coerced control of the church in people’s lives. And for that, he is indeed a genuine hero of the faith worth remembering, even on a day like Halloween.
So do you suppose that anyone will think to dress up today in the kind of Augustinian alb that a German monk of old might have worn rather than just another Batman or Captain America muscle costume?
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Make sure to change your clocks Nov. 3
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — In most of the United States, daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. That means, you’ll likely have to turn back the clock an hour to make sure you don’t arrive for Sunday worship an hour early. For churches and homeowners, it’s also a good time to check the batteries on fire and security alarms.
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United Methodist News Service
United Methodist Communications
810 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203 United States
Phone: (615)742~5400
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