October 27, 2019
A New Reformation (Outline)
Luke 10.1-12, 17
Sandy Larson The Reforma – Jn Knox, etc. Actually: Reformed and always reforming. Creation is not static, but ever changing. Stagnant is lifeless. Change vitalizes.
Genesis – stories of negative consequences for disobeying God – Adam and Eve, fall of the Tower of Babel, Noah and the flood = New Reforma – the HARD way
10 Commandments, laws, and religious rituals – new reformation Year of the Jubilee = new reformation
Prophets – challenge, hope, and reclaim faith in God = new reformation
JC – power and love of God; healings = up-close samples of God’s offer of new life; hope for the poor and outcast: THE great reformation
Jesus sends 70 to spread his message of God’s power and LOVE
Pentecost – consciousness of the Holy Spirit: empowered all who had faith
Early church – intimate caring faith communities, radical social reform: neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, slave nor free; reaching out to other people beyond their intimate circles – new reformation – persecution
Constantine forced all of Europe to be Xian and Crusades – killed in name of Christ and colonization – conquered lands in the name of Christ – rationalized reforms = abuses
Reformation – rebelled against power abuses of institutional church Luther and Calvin: back to Bible. Calvin: political and social reforms, seminary, education
Since the Reformation: American Revolution – religious freedom – a new reformation Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Church in Germany stood up against Hitler MLK and Civil Rights – New Reformation
Liberation theology started in South America emphasizes social concern for poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples – a new reformation
Process theological movement – God is not static. God responds to changes, much as exemplified in nature – species adapt to changes in environment.
Summary: Reformed and always reforming – History: alt = power abuse. No change = stagnation; embrace change
Pastoral transition – New Reformation Our own lives – change and ongoing spiritual reformation lead to renewed life.