| Copyright 2005-2008 Dr. Jad Khalaf, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved |
| "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15 |
| ONE OF THE MOST DECISIVE MOVEMENTS IN HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY BY DR. JAD JAMAL KHALAF It is very hard for just one single event to be characterized as being “the most decisive event/movement/development in history of Christianity.” Since this was not easy to do, this student choose Martin Luther’s posting of the ninety-five thesis as the most decisive movement in History of Christianity from Reformation to Modern. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his ninety-five thesis on the north door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The main reason that Luther posted these thesis was the perversions of indulgences. It is interesting to note how one unknown monk from an unknown university could post these thesis and basically stir up Europe. This act by Luther is considered to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation (Gonzalez 1984, 22). Basically, the end of the Medieval Church period brought into play most of the factors that would help make way for the Reformation to take place. One example would be the papal’s autocracy control over the people. Although the papal was in some type of control, event after event would soon began to undermine them and eventually to disrupt the papal’s autocracy control. Luther would not recant what he had already done. In fact, Luther was trying to cleanse Christianity from everything that contradicted what the Bible said (Gonzalez 1984, 53). This was the foundation for what would take place later on. Germany was the beginning of the Reformation. Yet, Reformations would soon began to spread to other parts of the world. The Reformation in the Scandinavian countries was brought about by earnest preachers, though the political realm helped shaped this reformation. Soon, Reformation would spread to Switzerland. Before long, Reformation began to take place in all of the following areas: France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, England, and in Scotland. One can see that Luther’s nailing of his thesis caused a tremendous impact. Luther probably never dreamed that his actions would be felt world wide. Even Catholicism went through a period of Reformation (Gonzalez 1994, 110). So many lives were touched and changed. Undoubtedly some lives were changed for the better while some lives were changed for the worse. This was a time when people had to make a decision of which way to go. The following men were just a handle who lead or participated in some type of Reformation: Philip Melanchthon, Martin Bucer, Huldreich Zwingli, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, Thomas Cranmer, and John Bunyan. The Bible was a key issue for Luther and other Reformers. God’s Word was definitely His Word, but in what sense or way? Different view points and opinions would arise and try to answer this question. Some men would answer quickly while some men would take time to give an in depth answer. Very soon, the invention of printing would play a key part in making one’s opinion heard throughout the world. In fact, the Luther Bible was translated by Luther into the German language. Thereafter, the Bible began to be translated into the following different languages: French, English, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, and even the Danish. There is no doubt that history has been affected by one man, named Luther, who posted his thesis on a door. In fact, the class offered at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is titled “History of Christianity II: Reformation-Modern.” This goes to show that even a seminary class was named and affected by Luther’s Reformation. People all over the world, either directly or indirectly, have been affected by the Reformation. It is interesting for one to stop, take a look at history, and then see how their life has somehow been touched by something that has happened hundreds of years ago. Luther’s actions goes to show that one man can make a difference in the world in which they live. People throughout history can be affected by the actions of just one person or by many people. Luther would write a hymn titled “A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Gonzalez 1984, 122).” This song has been and will continued to be sung by people all over the world. “The sixteenth century was one of the most convulsed periods in the entire history of Christianity,” says Gonzalez, “But in the midst of what could have appeared as chaos, these reformers stood firm on their faith in the power of the Word of God” (Gonzalez 1984, 122-123). |
| Dr. Jad Khalaf |