Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Reformation Day - Knox 500, and Luther (nearly) 500

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While turnips are being snedded and pumpkins are being carved to mark Hallowe'en, today is also Reformation Day. Today in 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to Wittenberg castle door and began the re-awakening of the liberty of the Biblical Gospel. 

There is no greater spiritual burden to lay on someone, than to tell them that their eternal destiny depends upon their own behaviour. There is no greater release than to hear 'Jesus paid it all' , that Christ fulfilled the Law completely, forever, on our behalf.

The Biblical message of faith in Christ, not the Church's message of reliance on supposed 'good works', made Luther right with God. Christ's perfect righteousness, not his own imperfect self-righteousness. The Gospel, not the Law.

Knox 500 has been a relatively low-key project in Scotland this year, marking the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Knox, the leader of the Scottish Reformation. Their conference in Edinburgh starts tomorrow and runs until Wednesday. I am pleased to be assisting in the early stages of a Luther 500 project here at home. All to be revealed in due course.

Alex Salmond was spectacularly wrong on Radio Ulster a few weeks ago. He said this:

“It’s not for us to decide who goes up and who goes down – that lies in other hands… people are judged on the legacy and impact of what they did, and on that basis Ian will be on pretty firm foundations as he meets his Maker.”

Theology fail. As the Getty modern hymn states, "In Christ alone my hope is found."

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2 v 8-9

(Image from Davy Morgan Photography)

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