Reformation Day Symposium - 2008 Edition

Today is Reformation Day--the 491st anniversary of the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg's Schlosskirke. That small act triggered a series of events that forever changed the world. It stands as one of the most important events in all of history--though an event that has been largely forgotten. Today we remember that day and express our gratitude to God for raising up men such as Martin Luther.

I have invited other bloggers to post their own reflections on this day and I am collecting them here in this symposium. If you would like to add your own, simply send me an email or add a comment and I'll add your contribution to the list.

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3:00 PM (and Final) Update

This is the last batch I'll be posting. Feel free to keep adding new ones in the comments section.

Dave Bish reflects on the book of Genesis.

Church Ethos wishes Happy Halloween to Martin Luther.

Per Caliginem writes about sola scriptura and the Reformed confessions.

Renewing Minds covers Luther's theology of the cross.

Monergism Books announces the release of a new five solas sweatshirt.

Nick Bogardus says, "If one wanted an image of what obedience in Christianity looked like, we might simply say, 'A hammer and nails.'"

Ray Van Neste writes about two chapel messages delivered this week at Union University.

Word Pictures discusses "Reformation and Election . . . but not the kind you're thinking."

Stephen Lay uses that great Reformation phrase "After darkness light."

Barry Wallace writes about reformation with a little r.

The Spyglass offers "Ecclesia reformata semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei "

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12:00 PM Update

Th'eternal Promise offers a three-part article on Christianity vs Calvinism.

Ron Man in his worship notes (PDF) says that Reformation Sunday is not just for Lutherans.

Gairney Bridge writes about the audacity of the pope.

Justin Pearson says that the Reformation continues, even in 2008.

James Grant looks at "The Beginnings of the Reformed Tradition: Calvin, Bucer, Vermigli, & Bullinger."

Dispatches from the Valley of the Shadow of Death shares his Reformation Day address.

Ray Rhodes writes about Luther and prayer.

Stay, Stay at Home My Heart shares her idea for a Reformation Day party.

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10:18 AM Update

Martin Downes offers a Reformation Day challenge.

Then Face to Face images a world without Luther.

Jared Wilson offers five solas for evangelicalism today.

Strengthened by Grace celebrates with a look at solus christus.

Boaly asks for ideas for celebrating Reformation Day.

Listening to the Wind reflects on what God has done for us.

Relentless Grace writes about a love for reformational theology.

The Merrie Theologian takes a light-hearted look at a few of Luther's lesser-known resolutions.

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Daniel Hames writes about "the dangerous thing about faith."

Stephen Macasil gives "Analysis of John Knox's Argument That the RC Mass is Idolatry Before the Bishop of Durham (1550)."

Rebecca Stark says that the Reformation was all about the gospel.

A Second Reformation writes, "Here in Québec city we are celebrating the 20th bay of the Église réformée du Québec (The Reformed Church of Québec)this year and tomorrow my little local church is hosting a big party for the entire province."

SynerJACK writes about Roger Williams, the American Reformer and looks at one of the many social extensions of the Reformation.

Gospel Centered Musings compares Rob Bell to the Wild Boar.

D.J. Williams warns against the temptation to take our Bibles for granted.

Darryl Dash follows Luther in saying "the whole life of believers should be repentance."

Doug Smith looks at the implications of sola scriptura in planning worship services.

Detours and Devotions thanks God for continued reformation.

Nephos takes a brief look at the story of James Guthrie, a Reformation martyr.

Boston Bible Geeks looks at the Reformation's impact on the Bible.

Ligonier Ministries looks to some of the Reformation heroes.

Crossway Life has written a whole series on the Reformation solas.

168 Hours offers a profile of the Huguenot Marie Durand.

Writings of a Woman offers a few of her thoughts on Reformation Day.

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I thought today would be a good day to make you aware of a new book designed to help you celebrate the Reformation Season. From Ray Rhodes and Solid Ground Christian Books comes Family Worship for the Reformation Season. It offers daily Scriptures, reflections and activities that can be done in the days leading up to Reformation Day (or any other time).

Ligon Duncan says, "Imagine, leading your family in daily worship in the home, reading the Scriptures, singing and praying, but simultaneously introducing them to the history, leading figures and theology of the great sixteenth-century Reformation - all this in a fresh and interesting way, in just about a quarter of an hour each day. 'That would be great,' you say, 'but it would take me hours and days to put that together. I could never do it.' Well, Ray Rhodes has done it for you in Family Worship for the Reformation Season. Use this book with joy. It will inspire, inform and instruct you and your family. The studies are simple but meaty. The Scriptures passages are helpfully chosen. And most of the lessons can be completed in fifteen minutes. Employ and be edified!"

Comments (37)

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Anonymous's picture

Thanks for making this list Tim - some great reformation posts.

if anyone has ideas (humorous or serious) on celebrating reformation day please share - http://garyboalnireland.blogspot.com/2008/10/reformation-day.html

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Anonymous's picture

Hi Tim,

I have posted my musings on the Reformation here. http://crcpastorchad.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/what-god-has-done-for-us/

thanks for hosting this.

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Anonymous's picture

Some pretty good stuff as always, I'm actually pals with Stephen Macasill and I think you'll definitely be hearing more from him as he finishes his book on Stratiotology (yeah I didn't know what that was until he told me, the doctrine of the Christian as a Soldier for Christ). Happy Reformation Day Everyone. I might add, A few of us started a new network of young (but open to anyone) Reformed people. Check us out and feel free to join atNewreformation.ning.com

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Anonymous's picture

Thanks for doing this. Here are my thoughts celebrating the essence of the reformation. http://relentlessgrace.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/celebrating-reformation-day/

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Anonymous's picture

Tim, I send you an e-mail yesterday. Did you received?

Rafael

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Anonymous's picture

My thoughts fo reformation day are athttp://peteincyberspace.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/reformation-day-scripture-alone/andhttp://peteincyberspace.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/reformation-day-cheap-grace/Happy reformation day everyone! And semper reformanda and all that.

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Anonymous's picture

My husband's Refromation Sunday school address is at: http://possumbane.livejournal.com/429815.html

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Anonymous's picture

Read my comments on Luther and Prayer at www.nitw.blogspot.com

Thanks for mentioning my book, "Family Worship for the Reformation Season" endorsed by Ligon Duncan, Tom Ascol, Don Whitney, David Bailey and Jerry Marcellino. The book is not dated so it can still be ordered and one could start it next week, work through November and then use my "Family Worship for the Christmas Season." You can order either book by contacting me at ray@nourishedintheword.org

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Anonymous's picture

Hi Tim!

Here's a link to a (somewhat non-traditional) Reformation Party we had a couple years ago. It was a multi-generational party with a William Tyndale theme.

http://stayathomemyheart.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/reformation-day-party-ideas/

This year we are attempting another Reformation Party. This theme is Pilgrim's Progress!

Blessings to you, and thanks for posting all these links.

Deborah

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Anonymous's picture

Hi Tim,Greetings from Mongolia! I posted my submission for the symposium here:

http://www.nickbogardus.com

Thank you for doing this. It's a great idea.

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Anonymous's picture

I hadn't known you were doing this until Jared mentioned it today, but here's my contribution, on what it means to be "reformed and always being reformed"--and what some Presbyterians wrongly think it means.

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Anonymous's picture

I have given brief comment and links to some good Reformation related chapel addresses at Union here:http://rvanneste.blogspot.com/2008/10/reformation-day-2008.html

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Anonymous's picture

Tim,

We have just added a brief Reformation post over at Passion for Preaching: http://www.passionforpreaching.net/

Keep up the great work!

Thanks,David

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Anonymous's picture

My Reformation Day post here:

After darkness, light

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Anonymous's picture

Tim,Thanks for this Symposium. I just posted a brief thought here, and will link back from it to this page. Again, thanks.

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Anonymous's picture

Don't forget the 95 Theses for Today's Church at Thinklings today:http://thinklings.org/posts/95-theses-for-the-evangelical-church

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Anonymous's picture

Here is my hockey fan's view of Luther's epiphany titled, The Exegetical Hockey Fight: When Luther Dropped the Gloves with Paul.http://cowboyology.blogspot.com/2008/10/exegetical-hockey-fight-when-luther.html

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Anonymous's picture

I put a post about the reformation on my blog.

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Anonymous's picture

I put a post with the 95 Thesis on the Reformation of the Evangelical Church. http://thecore.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/95-thesis-on-the-reformation-of-the-evangelical-church/

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Anonymous's picture

I have commented briefly on Luther as Father at http://childrenshourbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/luther-as-father.html

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Anonymous's picture

Some reformation day thoughts:http://hereiblog.com/2008/10/31/reformation-day-2008-protestant-courage/

Thanks, Tim.

Mark

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Anonymous's picture

Dude, we should make this a movement. Well....I guess it kinda already is.....

I'm curious, how do people celebrate Reformation Day? I'm a Protestant, but I've never done it before.

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Anonymous's picture

Andrew Randazzo: The 95 theses you posted at your blog is a reprint of the 95 I wrote at both Gospel-Driven Church and Thinklings.org.I hope you did not mean to pass off my material as your own original work.I would appreciate if you would add a credit line or a link to whichever site you got it from. Thanks.

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Anonymous's picture

Jared Wilson: I wasn't trying to pass it off as my own work. I actually was trying to get in a quick post before Greek class. I usually give credit, but in my hurry, I forgot. I've republished the post with a link over to you. Thanks for the check.

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Anonymous's picture

Andrew, no worries! Thanks.

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Anonymous's picture

Here's my post entitled We Need Another Reformation.

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Anonymous's picture

View this 3 minute video that humorously presents the history:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU0f_qJLkLg

Read a line-by-line explanation of the video:http://thekingdomcome.com/explaining_refpolka

Listen to a 30 minute podcast with the singer of the song:http://thekingdomcome.com/ref_and_ren

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Anonymous's picture

Tim:

My good friend Victoria Gaines posted the following:

http://windowstomysoul.blogspot.com/2008/10/reformation-day-here-i-stand.html

Do you need to hear from her to add this link?

God bless!

David

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Anonymous's picture

A brief greeting to you all and remembrance of the grace of our Lord as emphasized in the Reformation:http://strangebaptistfire.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/happy-reformation-day/

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Anonymous's picture

It is the morning of November 1st and I just discovered this site. Earlier this month I watched a lecture series online entitled "Rekindling the Reformation." I was blessed, humbled and blown away by the presentations. Wanted to share the link:http://amazingdiscoveries.org/AD-Media-RtR-Video.htmlGod Blessfrank in montana

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Anonymous's picture

Greetings! Like Frank above, I discovered your site just this morning via a link from The Corner at National Review to a video, "95 Theses Rap". Not a rap fan, I nonetheless found it wonderful in bringing to life the amazing passion of Luther. Now, I've spent much of the morning reading all your posts. Glad to meet you all, and I'll be visiting again. Sola Christus!

http://www.95thesesrap.com/

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Anonymous's picture

I posted as well on Reformation Day: http://wannabepuritan.blogspot.com/2008/10/wittenbergs-cathedral-door.html

The Princeton Regional Conference on Reformed Theology was excellent. Thanks to Drs. Carson and Mohler for their excellent work in teaching, preaching, and leading seminars!