10-26-20<\/p>\n
\u201cMay you live in interesting times\u201d supposedly is an ancient Chinese curse. Actually, it seems that it is neither ancient nor Chinese, but has been used to euphemistically describe uncertainty and instability; imminent danger.<\/p>\n
For the simple dictionary definition of \u201cinteresting,\u201d I say Bring it on, most of the time. We should like change, challenges, and opportunities. But this is all theoretical anyway. Days turns to nights, people marry and are given in marriage, and as per Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun.<\/p>\n
However, anyone with pulse knows that within those rubrics, there are pendulum-swings that bring more trouble or less confusion; more worry, various causes of anxiety.<\/p>\n
In those<\/em> regards, these time are more than interesting; these very times.<\/p>\n In the next couple of weeks, we will have a consequential presidential election, perhaps the most important in generations. Many people feel that violence and anarchy will reassert themselves if one candidate prevails. We face, collaterally, control of the Congress. A contentious nomination process for a new Justice just has concluded. We still smell the smoke, literally and metaphorically, from widespread rioting and looting. The world still is in the throes of a plague, with peoples\u2019 health and peoples\u2019 businesses suffering.<\/p>\n As the calendar turns, for someone like me, sharing thoughts and comments, these very days also present an opportunity to recognize Reformation Day. This I will do\u2026 not because I see it as a way to visit a calm spiritual subject; but because I think the Revolution wrought by Dr Martin Luther was one of the most \u201cinteresting days,\u201d so to speak, in the sweep of Western Civilization.<\/p>\n I think the act<\/em> of nailing 95 complaints to the church door in Wittenberg 500 years ago changed the course of Western Civilization, not only Christianity. I think the forces that nurtured his revolution \u2013 political liberty, literacy, individualism, economic freedom \u2013 affected the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, and democracy. I think that people today would more firmly reject anarchy, socialism, and relativism if they only would study Luther\u2019s works and acts.<\/p>\n All this despite the fact that Luther himself did not intend to leave the Roman Catholic Church nor launch new denominations. He sought reform \u2013 hence Reformation. He even rejected the label of modernism; if anything, he considered himself the last of the Medievalists. He even believed that Reason was the Enemy of Faith (so do I).<\/p>\n The brilliant iconoclast was excommunicated because he intended to translate the Bible into the people\u2019s language (instead of Latin, reserved for priests only). He went on trial because he disturbed public order when he asserted that priests who sold papers assuring people that relatives would be rescued from hell \u2013 and such heresies \u2013 were in fact blasphemies. He was threatened with death (as other reformers were being martyred at the time) for believing Ephesians Chapter 2, that we are saved to eternal life by grace through faith: not by works that we do.<\/p>\n So in one of the most important moments in human history, the prisoner Dr Luther was hauled before a council (a \u201cDiet\u201d) of regional princes and the power of the Holy Roman Empire, indeed the Vatican itself, all playing out in the small city of Worms, Germany. In the small, rude setting, the world virtually watched \u2013 history was watching.<\/p>\n Luther, a brilliant theologian and prolific writer, was required, under penalty of sure death, which he expected, to recant (deny, disown) all his works.<\/p>\n Of course life would have gone on, if he cowardly had surrendered. Other reformers like Jan Hus and John Wycliffe were put to death, and had much changed? Was Luther tempted to give in? Words, after all, are merely words. History is littered, with both heroes and martyrs. And time rolls on.<\/p>\n But here was the fulcrum of history. Words do<\/em> mean something. We<\/em> mean something \u2013 even we are also in out-of-way places, confronted by massive forces that despise us.<\/p>\n One person, with God, constitute a majority, as Frederick Douglass said\u2026 a mighty army. What do we do we stand for? Why are we here? What is the point of a troubled conscience, if we are not spurred to action? Luther did not know, and actually did not care, that his<\/em> protest of conscience would change the world. He did not look into the future; his testimony was for his own self, his own challenges\u2026 his duties as a Christian. As a person of God, whose ideas and ideals mattered.<\/p>\n What might this have to do with us, these days, this year?<\/p>\n A lot. I believe we are at a turning point, not only in politics with an election; not merely in society as forces of anarchy and secularism attack us; not only a crisis of this month or this year but \u2013 as with the Reformation \u2013 consequences for generations to come.<\/p>\n That\u2019s pretty heavy. But\u2026 it\u2019s not the first time, friends. As Ecclesiastes said, \u201cTime and chance happen to all.\u201d<\/p>\n So, with some history as a guide be encouraged.<\/p>\n * Be brave about what you believe. Be armed with knowledge first, then be bold in truth.<\/p>\n * Don\u2019t be intimidated by misinformed family members, kids, teachers, neighbors. Do not compromise with error.<\/p>\n * Discern the truth and avoid media that lie to you. Live without certain TV, movies, news media, papers and magazines. Seek those that speak truth; and redeem the culture.<\/p>\n * In these matters, and voting, consider whether the \u201clesser of two evils\u201d is something you act upon if you engage or participate. Are you still enabling evil?<\/p>\n * Pray; have fellowship; pray; speak out; pray; let your conscience be not only your guide, but your best friend and constant companion.<\/p>\n * And pray.<\/p>\n And be inspired by words from Luther\u2019s hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God:<\/em>
\nLet goods and kindred go, This mortal life also;
\nThe body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still;
\nHis kingdom is forever!<\/em><\/p>\n