Spiritual
Send us the name of your organization, location, email address, description, and website. Send to hbitten@reverendluther.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/500Anniversary
Resources on the Reformation (for individuals, groups, schools, and churches)
SAVE THE DATE: REFORMATION 500 ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR AT PRINCETON UNIV. - "The Reformation: A Time for Revolutionary Changes?"
Saturday Morning, October 22, 2016 (9:15 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.) Register at 500anniversaryseminar.brownpapertickets.com
Featuring Dr. Christopher Belitto (Kean University), Dr. Christopher Boyd Brown (Boston University School of Theology), Rev. Dr. David Lose (President of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia)
Program is available through the Brown Paper Tickets website link above and by request (hbitten@reverendluther.org) and 908 233-8111.
SAVE THE DATE: REFORMATION 500 ANNIVERSARY (1517-2017) FESTIVAL CELEBRATION with HYMNS - NJ District-LCMS
Sunday Afternoon, October 30, 2016 - Princeton University Chapel 3:45 - 5:15 P.M.
Featuring the Princeton Theological Seminary Choir, NJ Lutheran Regional Choir, Mountain Lakes Handbell Choir, Luther's Hymns and Deutsche Liturgy, Commemorative gift
Call 908 233-8111 for information. Plan now for your family or congregation to attend this spectacular "Kickoff" celebration.
Churches Around the World Video - A 5 minute inspirational video of the world's famous and inspiring churches!
Reformation 500th Anniversary Concert - The Songs of All God's People - October 24, 2015
Concert Video (Time: 1:17) The Select Chapel School Choir from Bronxville, NY, Christ Assembly Lutheran Choir from Staten Island, NY, Kantorei Choir of Westminster Choir College, Daniela DiPasquale
Organ Prelude Video (Time: 28 minutes) Scott Sadlo (Christ the King Lutheran Church, Ringwood, NJ)
Reformation 500th Anniversary Concert - The Songs of God's Word - October 18, 2014
Concert Video (Time: 1:37) Martin Luther HS Choir, Concordia-NY College Choir, The Bach Vespers Choir, Daniela DiPasquale
Organ Prelude Video - (Time: 28 minutes) Scott Sadlo, Donald Meineke
Reformation History Seminar - October 24, 2015
"The Timely Message of the Reformation for 21st Century Christians!"
Seminar Video (Time 1:10)
Dr. Gerhard Bode, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO
"Knowing How to Live and Die: Luther and the Teaching of the Christian Faith"
Dr. Paul Rorem, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ
"Luther's Preaching on the Incarnation as Historical Event and Pattern for Today"
Reformation History Seminar - November 11, 2014
"Perspectives on The Protestant Reformation Today!"
Seminar Video (Time 1:21)
Dr. Mary Jane Haemig, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
"Reformation and Luther Studies Today: Describing Context and Considering Results"
Dr. Erik Herrmann, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO
"A Pre-Modern Luther for the Post-Modern Church"
The information on this page is for personal reflection through inspirational quotes, information about different faiths, "quizzes" for you to explore your understanding of religious information, and information about future events relating to the coming of the 500th anniversary celebration in 2017!
In the Footsteps of Martin Luther
An outline of 50 events in the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther from 1510-1530.
Faith Matters! (Inspirational Quotes from Luther!)
The Protestant Worship Service (Lutheran, Methodist, Reformed churches)
Luther Sites in Germany
This is a link to the Luther 2017 information in Germany.
Luther's Ninety-five Theses (11 minute video)
Table Talks - The words of Martin Luther from the notes of the pastors he mentored from 1531-1546.
Practice Quizzes! (Good Luck)
Spiritual Knowledge Quiz - Level 1 (10 multiple choice questions)
Take the challenge and answer our questions as an individual or as a team. Answers are anonymous.
Spiritual Knowledge Quiz - Level 2 (10 multiple choice questions)
Take the challenge (this quiz is a liitle more difficult) as an individual or a team. Answers are anonymous.
The Renaissance Knowledge Quiz - Level 1 (10 multiple choice questions)
The Reformation Knowledge Quiz - Level 1 (10 multiple choice questions)
Take the challenge to see what you remember from high school or college. Visit our page on Historical Documents for historical information.
What Have Christians Believed Since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the First Century?
The Ten Commandments: The Ten Commandments are the laws and principles of worship for Jews and Christians given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai after the Jews left Egypt. They are found in the Holy Bible in Exodus 20: 1-17 and in Deuteronomy 5: 4-21. The date of the Ten Commandments is approximately 1400-1500 B.C.E. (Copied from Luther's Small Catechism. 1986. Concordia Publishing House. www.cph.org)
1. You shall have no other gods.
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
3. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shall not murder.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Matthew 22:36-40: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied, "Love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the seocnd is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments." (New International Version)
The Apostles' Creed: The statement of faith professed by Christians around the world affirms their belief in the Trinity. The Trinity states that there is ONE God who is revealed to all of us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Nicene Creed was written in 325 (A.D) and defines the relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in more detail than The Apostles Creed.
"I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."
The Nicene Creed:
"We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
The Lord's Prayer: God wants us to have daily conversations and Jesus taught us this prayer as an example of how to pray. Prayer with God is important to all faiths.
"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen."
Commentary: As people we are concerned about our physical health, make financial plans, and value education. Unfortunately, some are unaware of the importance of spiritual growth and this part of human life. Although we read books and know people who believe in God, it is difficult for some to talk about spiritual matters, ask questions, or visit a Christian church.
The 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017 is a major event of celebration because it marks the printing of God's Word in our own language, is one of the reasons for the colonization of the Americas, and taught that God loves all people and that faith in God is all that is required for eternal life. The people of the 16th century talked about God on a daily basis and this is what the 500th anniversary should mean for people in the 21st century.
Write to us at reformationessay@reverendluther.org if you would like information or to talk with a Lutheran pastor.