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Today marks one day shy of 495 years since Martin Luther first initiated what would become known as the Protestant Reformation, by nailing his ninety-five theses—protests against the Catholic Church—to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenburg, Germany. Many Protestants around the world celebrate or publicly acknowledge today, October 30th, as Reformation Day. I have witnessed many evangelical Protestants elevate today as a joyous day in Church history, claiming that Martin Luther was led by God in his disputes. But what did Martin Luther stand for, exactly? Indeed, most Catholics and Protestants alike associate him with his “five solas”...

Today is Reformation Day, and I wanted to pass along a quote that I have found to embody a valuable perspective about the imperative to always be seeking reform of one’s own life and manners, without needing to tarry for broader social or political change. The quote appears in the newly-published translation of a work by the Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck, The Christian Family, which originally appeared in 1908. The point of departure is his exploration of the institution of the family and its social significance, but Bavinck’s words apply equally as well to efforts for improving other spheres...

On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 Theses at the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. These theses were never debated following their posting, so they never gained much influence. Many have a basic understanding of Luther's theology and the 95 Theses. The theology and history of the Reformation is beneficial in order to understand that this was not a rebellion or de-formation of the church catholic, but a purifying of doctrine to conform it to scripture. In fact, tomorrow is known as Reformation Sunday, when attention is drawn to the great changes in the church that occurred after 1517....

Last weekend many protestent churches celebrated the Reformation of the Catholic Church. But I believe people of all faiths should stop and pause, because Martin Luther’s actions have a much larger, ripple affect – extending far beyond church doctrine. In Europe during the 16th Century, several key events inspired Martin Luther’s revolutionary action: Pope Leo X wanted to reconstruct Saint Peter’s Basilica – the crown jewel of the Vatican. But there was one small problem: The Church was broke.When the Pope approached Venetian bankers to finance his vision, they balked at the Church’s credit.The Papacy devised a plan to satisfy...

The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity said in an interview that the Vatican would entertain a hypothetical proposal by Lutherans to establish ecclesial structures modeled on the ordinariates developed for Anglican communities that wish to enter into full communion with the Holy See. “Anglicanorum coetibus was not an initiative of Rome, but came from the Anglican church,” said Cardinal Kurt Koch, referring to the 2009 papal document that established the ordinariates. “The Holy Father then sought a solution and, in my opinion, found a very broad solution, in which the Anglicans’ ecclesial and liturgical traditions were...

When I was growing up, there was one event we looked forward to every fall, right at the end of October. For us, it was an annual tradition, an evening of mischief and treats, a celebration to share with our friends. Of course, I’m talking about Oct. 31 — Reformation Day. I realize this might require some explanation for those of you who didn’t hang out with the cool crowd, so bear with me. For Protestant Christians, especially members of the Lutheran and Reformed churches, Oct. 31, or the closest Sunday to it, is celebrated as Reformation Day each year...

There will be 2 days of darkness soon for often it is in the times of darkness your true hope is revealed ! So "WATCH CAREFULLY" for "I AM about to Reveal The Truth in ALL Things that have been hidden in the Darkness ! " For My Light Of Truth is about to Cleanse, Reveal and Bring ALL that is of ME into balance and place . And My Lampstand shall be found in this TRUTH . Hebrews 4:12-16 12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to...

Archbishop of Canterbury Contender Criticizes Banks The frontrunner to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury has accused banks of having “no socially useful purpose” and being “exponents of anarchy” in a speech warning that the battered financial services industry cannot be repaired. Bishop Welby is a former oil executive who has been a prominent critic of corporate excesses By Graham Ruddick 7 Oct 2012 The Rt Rev Justin Welby, Bishop of Durham, says the sector must be rebuilt “from the ruins” of the financial crisis to become something that “helps people rather than being there for people to help it”....

(Reuters) - A secretive group choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans, is under pressure to break a deadlock in their talks and reach a decision, nearly a month after an announcement was expected. The choice of the next head of the worldwide Anglican Communion comes at critical time for a church threatened by a rise in secularism and long-running divisions over senior women clergy and homosexuality. The 105th Archbishop of Canterbury will have to contend with the risk of a schism over sex and sexuality. Liberal church leaders in the United States...

The new Customary of Our Lady of Walsingham has been published, and a fine book it looks, too. It contains the office for the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the psalms in the Coverdale translation, and the office arranged according to the calendar for the Ordinariate. I'm rather hoping to have choral evensong at Blackfen during the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. There are more photos of the new book at the Ordinariate's Flickr set and there is a report by Mgr Andrew Burnham at the Ordinariate website. You can buy a copy from Amazon.

Savannakhet (Agenzia Fides) - Some loatian civilian officials of the province of Savannakhet threaten to destroy the homes of Christians in the village of Seekaew if they refuse to perform animist religious rituals. According to information received from local sources of Fides Agency, the local authorities of the province in any way wish to discourage Christian citizens from professing their faith and practicing their religion freely. As reported to Fides by the NGO "Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom" (HRWLRF), more than 50 Christians (of 13 families) of the village of Seekaew were strongly recommended by the village elders...

The outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is trying to persuade members of the Church of England’s upcoming General Synod to back the ordination of women as Anglican bishops, putting further strain on the theologically divided Anglican Communion. In an article published in the Anglican newspaper The Church Times, Archbishop Williams said the church legislation “will shape the future of the Church of England for generations.” He contended that a vote against the proposal “risks committing us to a period of continued and perhaps intensified internal conflict with no clearly guaranteed outcome.” The archbishop is trying to push through the...

So, I’m taking a quick flip through my Facebook timeline and I see that Patrick Madrid has posted this image.It stopped me in my tracks.The stamp had blipped through my awareness earlier this week when both Kathy Schiffer and our human news aggregator, Deacon Greg had mentioned it, but this morning the simple silhouettes against the fiery sky, and the inviting brilliance of the Light, just seemed to pull me in, and it brought on a renewed bout of astonished appreciation for the workings of the Holy Spirit, who often uses the most confounding means and methods — this time...

"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD" (Pro. 16:33). "God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions" (Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.11). If Creation was a unique exercise of divine energy causing the world to be, providence is a continued exercise of that same energy whereby the Creator, according to his own will, (a) keeps all creatures in being, (b) involves himself in all events, and (c) directs all things to their appointed end. The model is of purposive personal...

A 71-year-old retired priest has admitted six indecent assaults on two youths dating back to the 1990s.Father John Haley Dossor, of Kirton, near Felixstowe, denied a further eight indecent assaults – including one on a third male, and another charge of sexual assault by touching.Three of the assaults Dossor pleaded guilty to were on a victim aged between 13 and 15.

This year, I’ve found a new way to celebrate October 31st – popularly known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween. I’m heading to Germany to celebrate Reformation Day, Martin Luther, and my Christian heritage. Martin Luther, who was a law student turned Augustinian monk, committed an act on October 31, 1517 that forever changed the church and western civilization. [SNIP] I will be in what is now called Lutherstadt Wittenberg for its Reformation Day Festival. And I’ll be doing a tour of towns and cities that were a part of Martin’s life. More to come in my column about that...

ELCA presiding bishop says church is 'always being made new' 12-66-MRC CHICAGO (ELCA) -- As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2013 under the theme "Always being made new," ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said the theme embodies far more than the anniversary in his report to the ELCA Conference of Bishops, which met here Oct. 4-9. The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body of this church that includes 65 synod bishops, the presiding bishop and secretary. The Rev. Jessica R. Crist, bishop of the ELCA Montana Synod, chairs...

On Monday, October 15, 2012, Bishop Mark J. Lawrence, the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina was notified by the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, that on September 18, 2012 the Disciplinary Board for Bishops had certified his abandonment of The Episcopal Church. This action by The Episcopal Church triggered two pre-existing corporate resolutions of the Diocese, which simultaneously disaffiliated the Diocese from The Episcopal Church and called a Special Convention. That Convention will be held at St. Philip’s Church, Charleston, on Saturday, November 17, 2012. Read it all . Other Documents: Certificate of...

Jewish groups pulled out of an upcoming meeting with Protestant colleagues over a letter from Christian leaders to congressmen calling for a possible suspension of U.S. aid to Israel. “While we remain committed to continuing our dialogue and our collaboration on the many issues of common concern, the letter represents an escalation in activity that the Jewish participants feel precludes a business-as-usual approach,” stated a letter sent by seven Jewish groups to their Christian counterparts in canceling their participation in the Oct. 22 -23 meeting in New York. The event, an annual gathering, is known as the Christian-Jewish Roundtable and...

The retired presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Rt. Rev. Herbert Chilstrom, has delivered a stinging, public critique of his former Roman Catholic counterpart in Minnesota for aggressively campaigning for an anti-same sex marriage amendment on the November ballot. “I recognize your authority in formulating positions for your own flock in Minnesota: That is one thing,” Chilstrom said in a letter to Roman Catholic Archbishop John Nienstedt, published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “But for you and others to campaign for an amendment that imposes your stance on all citizens in Minnesota — including other Christians,...