Reformation DNA
Johann Alexander Dubendorffer was born in 1701/02
in Schriesheim, Pfalz, Switzerland. As
far as we know, his family would live in the Palatinate area of German before emigrating
to Pennsylvania. He was a staunch member
of the Reformed Church. His son,
Gottfried Diefenderfer married his bride in 1753 at the Great Swamp Church. The last name changed in spelling until it
became the “Diefendieffer” I recognize.
The church where the wedding was solemnized is now Trinity Great Swamp
United Church of Christ in Spinnerstown, Pennsylvania. My family roots trace back to the period of
the Protestant Reformation. This year,
2016, we begin the 500th Anniversary year of that turning point in
church history.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five
Theses on the door of the Wittenburg castle-church. That public event was action that dates and
defines what we know as the Protestant Reformation. Although it is nice to have a calendar date,
the event itself was a culmination of many years of prayer and thought. It was also the beginning of a larger
discussion about what it means to be a church.
How does a church conduct its worship?
How is scripture understood? What
is the nature of faith?
We find ourselves asking the same questions in 2016. The “landscape” of the church is
changing. Some churches are losing
members and members are losing interest.
Other churches are flourishing and filling major stadium sized spaces. Other churches are just beginning and are
meeting in bars and restaurants and homes with no intention to build their own
building. Perhaps the 500th
anniversary year of the Reformation might be a time for reflection.
Martin Luther as well as Ulrich Zwingli, the person most
connected with the Reformed Church, were concerned that the Church in Europe in
the 16th Century had gotten off track – had misplaced her
priorities. There are those who offer
the same criticisms today. It is a topic
worthy of conversation.
However, this is a blog entry and not a format for the
“pros and cons” of the 21st century church. It is also a blog where I have said I wanted
to name those touch points where scripture meets the seasons of our lives. This week that season is the Reformation and
Renewal of the Church. I offer some
scripture passages that are my personal touch points as a person of faith
grounded in the Reformed Church tradition.
I invite you to think about your own touch points.
Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we are justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we
have obtained access to the grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope
of sharing the glory of God.
1 Peter 4:10 – Like good stewards of the manifold
grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself
to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly
explaining the word of truth.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 – But as for you, continue in
what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it,
and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that were able to
instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
To these passages I would also add the words of a
17th Century pastor out of the English Reformation and also out of
my personal family history and “Reformation DNA”. Pastor John Robinson, when speaking to those
Pilgrims leaving Leiden, Amsterdam on a voyage that would take them to
Massachusetts, said:
“I am verily persuaded the Lord hath more truth yet to
break forth out of His Holy Word.”
As we enter the 500th Anniversary year of the
Protestant Reformation I believe the words of Pastor Robinson are both a promise
kept and a hope to be revealed.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Clara
No comments:
Post a Comment