Does the Reformation matter?
It’s a question which is going to become increasingly crucial for evangelical churches in the coming year or so as the 500th anniversary in 2017 of Luther’s nailing his radical ideas to the Wittenberg church door draws ever closer. The church is under terrific pressure both from militant/political Islam and militant/political secularism and forgetting the Reformation, sinking our differences and standing together with anyone who calls themselves a Christian seems a good option to many.
Who are we?
Separatism simply looks seedy to many ordinary Christians. Recently, Sir Ranulph Fiennes was interviewed in Christianity magazine and, with a deft misinterpretation of standard Anglican liturgy, stated: ‘to me there wasn’t any difference between Protestant and Catholic, because the Protestants every Sunday said “I believe in the holy catholic Church” and the “virgin Mary.” You’re either a Christian or you’re not. When we came to England we went to the local church and didn’t mind what it was.’ All very cosy, just the way many church folk like it.
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church members …