The Reformation & Methodism

Today is Reformation Day (Oct. 31.)  On the Eve of All Saints, Day, October 31, 1517, Augustinian Father Doctor Martin Luther, professor of Scripture at the University of Wittenberg, Germany posted an invitation to debate on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. The invitation to debate contained ninety-five points, or theses, concerning the sale of indulgences. Luther chose this date for posting his theses because the coming holy day would bring many of the community to services, ensuring that his statements would receive wide exposure.

Throughout my pastoral ministry, I have always included a reference to Reformation Day on the last Sunday of October to remind us of this significant part of the history of the church.  We always sing the hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and I try to include a reference to the Reformation in my sermon.  Yesterday, I had a quote from the great Lutheran pastor/theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

United Methodists have an interesting relationship with the Reformation.  The Reformation in which Protestantism led to the beginning of new church denominations took place during the 1500's.  The Anglican Church was influenced by the Protestant Reformation and sought to continue their Roman Catholic heritage.  King Henry VIII didn't want to be under the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope.

John Wesley who was a Priest in the Church of England which was a mixture of Roman Catholic and Protestant influences has sought to embrace both of these significant influences in the history of the church.  Even though we are a Protestant denomination, we need to remember that Roman Catholicism has a significant part in our Methodist heritage.

When Methodism spread to America and became it's own denomination, separating itself from the Anglican Church, we increasingly gravitated more toward our Protestant roots because of the democratic spirit that led to the birth of a new country.  However, our official Book of Worship includes liturgy that comes from our Roman Catholic heritage through the Anglican Church.

So, while it's important to celebrate Reformation Day as United Methodists, let's not use this as an opportunity to widen the chasm between Protestants and Catholics and mistakenly separate ourselves from our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ.   The Protestant Reformation reminds us that the church needs to continually be reformed and shaped by the Holy Spirit and Roman Catholicism reminds us of the long standing history of the church and the rich liturgy of our faith.

While the United Methodist Church doesn't have an official "Reformation Day" prayer, I think this prayer for the church out of our Anglican/Episcopal prayer book, is very appropriate for the spirit of this day.  Happy Reformation Day!

Prayer for the Church:
Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
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