The Reformation - How sweet it is.

PASTOR BRENT JAMES

By Brent James
Lead Pastor
 
Most people in the United States will dress up in costumes tonight, and walk around the neighborhoods calling for tricks or treats.  Many of them will go through this ritual without ever wondering about the beginnings of such a curious cultural event. The term “Halloween” is a morphing together of the words “All Hallow's Eve.” Tomorrow, November 1st, is All Saints Day, a feast day of the Church to remember and to commemorate the dead in Christ who've gone before us, whom we believe will be raised to life at the Resurrection. The tradition of tricks or treats goes back to children going door to door in order to say prayers for the souls of the dearly departed.

It's sad to me that most people will not take a second to remember an act that changed the course of Western Civilization – the nailing of the 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Door. What Martin Luther undertook as an academic exercise -- questioning the true power of the Bishop of Rome – turned the world upside down. I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest that, without Martin Luther, John Calvin and the Reformation, there would be no United States of America, no Bill of Rights, no Enlightenment, and no democratic process. The seeds of all that we too often take for granted today were sown with the nailing of those theses to that church door.
 
Take a second to inform yourself about one of the fathers of the Reformation and enjoy five graces in your fast today in honor of the five Solae.
 
Sola Deo Gloria! Sola Christo! Sola Fide! Sola Scriptura! Sola Gratia!
OR
By Scripture Alone! By Faith Alone! By Grace Alone! Through Christ Alone! Glory to God Alone!
To learn more about the Solae, find more here.