2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. We recently spent two weeks in Germany, France and Switzerland studying Reformation History with Ridley College. We traveled in the footsteps of Martin Luther, John Calvin and other key figures of the reformation. We toured birthplaces, churches, towns, caves and museums to catch a vision of the life, experiences and theology that shaped the Reformation and the world as we know it.
The Reformation was the birth of the Protestant church. It brought the Bible to life in the language of the common people and renewed understanding of God and his salvation. The Reformation reminds us that we can’t strive for, buy or earn our salvation. As the apostle Paul says, ‘It is by Grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God…’ Eph 2:8.
During our trip, we had the pleasure of meeting Father Cyril, Prior of the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt. He reminded us that the church and individuals are always in need of Reformation. May we continue to seek His grace here at St Nicks to renew and re-form our lives to the life of Jesus.
Blessings,
Paul and Carli.