Happy Reformation Day?

Posted by Alan Knox on Oct 31, 2012 in blog links | 2 comments

So, while alot of my friends are enjoying Halloween today, others are celebrating “Reformation Day.” Two bloggers in particular have written about the historical and present significance of “Reformation Day.”

Arthur at “The Voice of One Crying Out in Suburbia” wrote a post called “Happy ‘What Could Have Been’ Day.” While he recognizes some of the positive changes that happened among believers during the “Reformation,” he also recognizes that the changes stopped short of what it could have been.

He writes:

Now I look back with regret at this time, regret over what might have been. In those days when the shackles of Rome were first cast off there was a very real chance to reform the church in practice as well as in doctrine. Instead institutional inertia won the day. The doctrine got better (at least some of it) but the practice stayed the same.

I think that’s a great way to look at any period of history, including church history. We can learn from both their victories and their failures. (Of course, during that same time period, some believers did “reform the church in practice as well as in doctrine”…)

Meanwhile, Eric at “A Pilgrim’s Progress” writes about the historical Reformation Day and how it corresponds to a personal “Reformation Day” of his own in a post called “Keep Reforming.” After explaining his own personal reformation, Eric ends his post with this:

The Christian life should be one of consistent reformation. As we walk daily with Christ, we have the privileges of getting to know Him better, becoming more like Him, and helping others do the same. This was Paul’s goal. In this sense, reformation never ends.

Again, I think this is a great way to think about this day. Let’s keep reforming – personally and corporately – as we walk daily in Christ together.