Reformation Day or Halloween? [Protestant Caucus]

The Shopper Online ^ | October 30, 2013 | Arlo Kallemeyn

[Alex Murphy]

It just so happens that Reformation Day is on the same day as Halloween. Reformation Day is a day that is celebrated by most of the Protestant churches in this country. Back in 1517 Martin Luther nailed 95 statements onto a church door in Wittenberg Germany. These statements were the catalyst of The Reformation. While it made a large impact on the political, economic, social, and artistic aspects of life in those days, the Reformation was at its heart a religious movement. The Reformation was the great rediscovery of the good news of salvation by grace through faith for Christ’s sake.

As we learned Sunday during Pastor Tom’s message at Thorn Creek Reformed Church, ‘Post tenebras lux’ is a Latin phrase. It is translated as ‘Light After Darkness’. The phrase came to be adopted by John Calvin, and was subsequently adopted as the motto of the entire Protestant Reformation. It is used by John Calvin’s adopted city of Geneva, Switzerland on their coins. As a mark of its role in the Calvinist movement, the motto is engraved on the Reformation Wall, in Geneva, and the Huguenot Monument, in Franschhoek, South Africa.

Since Halloween and Reformation Day happened on the same day, it was even more unlikely that little Dutch kids would be going trick or treating on October 31.

[Dutchboy88]

"As we learned Sunday during Pastor Tom’s message at Thorn Creek Reformed Church, ‘Post tenebras lux’ is a Latin phrase. It is translated as ‘Light After Darkness’. The phrase came to be adopted by John Calvin, and was subsequently adopted as the motto of the entire Protestant Reformation."

At the risk of sounding picky, the real reformation is simply a return to the light delivered by Paul regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Perhaps, "Return to light after a time of darkness" would have been a more apt slogan. It seems we "reformed" are routinely accused (around FR) of commencing with a message from the 16th cent. onward, when in fact we were simply denouncing a departure commencing circa 150AD.

[redleghunter]

I’m sorry. The “real” meaning? The letters are important, of course, but I cannot place Paul above Jesus. Thanks.

Again this is not your caucus. However, if your contention is Evangelicals do not obey the Words of Christ, you can post such a thread and I am sure many of us would respond. Because you would be in error for saying so. The Gospels and the Words of Christ must be taken in the full context. Meaning in light of the Cross and Empty Tomb. Not doing so, leads us to interpret the Gospels as "Sinai II" the Law more perfectly delivered.

[IronJack]

It’s All HALLOWS Eve.

[Dutchboy88]

Are you placing Jesus above the Father? Why not obey what is in Chronicles? Why not do what Isaiah is saying from the Father? Because you intuitively know that these are written to the Jews...so are the Gospels.

Matt. 15:24
Matt. 7:12

We could go on.

[Dutchboy88]

Here is the litmus test, my FRiend....

Do you actually believe the Gospel is “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”? Further, do you believe that you are complying? These are Jesus’ demands...Matt. 5:48 Are you there yet?

[Alex Murphy]

Here is the litmus test, my FRiend....

Dutchboy88, this is a Caucus thread. Please stop pinging non-Caucus members, and please stop discussing non-Caucus groups.

[redleghunter]

The important point is this:

1. We have the Ministry of Jesus Christ

3. We have the Gospel as preached by the apostles (most info we have is from Paul)

What is missing is the most important pieces (why I did not put #2 above).

If we stop at #1 the conclusion we come to is Jesus came to preach “Sinai II” the Law more perfectly delivered and practiced by One Person—Jesus Christ.

If we just look to #3 and compare it to #1, we grapple with what is perceived as contradictions or the apostles departing from Christ’s Words. In effect, Paul at the least would have to be declared a heretic.

HOWEVER...I failed to insert #2 above. Which is:

2) Death (shed Blood), burial and Resurrection (Life Everlasting) of Jesus Christ.

#1 and #3 now are seen within proper and very important context in light of #2.

So without the Cross and Empty Tomb, we are led back to Mt Sinai (Law). With the Cross and Empty Tomb we have deliverance from Mt Zion (Grace).

[Dutchboy88]

Sorry.

[Dutchboy88]

Message received.

[ravenwolf]

What does that mean? Is Paul more important than the Gospels themselves?

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I tend to agree although i have always considered myself a protestant.

Many people credit Paul with the Gospel just because we have more letters from him than the other apostles, what were the other apostles doing? could it be they were preaching the Gospel by mouth?

If we read acts we can plainly see that the Gentiles were getting the Gospel on account of the death of Steven even before Paul starting preaching.

Those people did not have the Gospel of Christ so in many cases the only thing any one knew was from peter or one of the other Apostles or the disciples including Paul.

We now have the Gospel of Jesus and although i do not see any contradictions where Paul speaks of the Gospel is concerned my only faith is in Jesus Christ.