The Reformation - Episcopal Impact

"Out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate it, the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at Wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Therefore he asks that those who cannot be present and dispute with him orally shall do so in their absence by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."

- Martin Luther, The 95 Theses

So Martin Luther opened his 95 Theses which he sent to members of the church hierarchy in order to start some conversation about issues he saw in the theological and ecclesiastical workings of his day. The Reformation, born 500 years ago, was born in the search for truth.

It was that thirst for truth which inspired the early English Reformers. While much of the English Reformation was more political than strictly religious in nature, there were those who had been reading and following along with the reformation ideas and events happening elsewhere and took the opportunity before them to make some changes in the English church when it split from Rome.

This coming Sunday, at 7:00 pm at First United Methodist Church here in Franklin, the community of Franklin is going to be gathering together to commemorate the search for truth which led to the Reformation. The service will include readings, music, and sermons which honor and commemorate the different ways we seek truth and love God, and the myriad of ways we do so as part of the unity of Christ's body. I hope you will join us for this service.