Elder Koh Swee Chay

A Glimpse of Reformation History in Europe (Part 1)

Introduction

By the providential leading of God, the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) organised the first Reformation Pilgrimage for 47 pilgrims from 9 B-P churches covering Germany, France and Switzerland from 14-24 May 2014. I thank God the four of us from Calvary Pandan B-P Church (CPBPC), namely Irene Lim, Lingting, Peck Kee and myself were given this blessed opportunity to be a part of this Reformation Pilgrimage. We experienced the sovereign Hand of God in using faithful and courageous reformers from different places to bring about the 16th Century Protestant Reformation in a progressive and orchestrated manner.

I had been to Germany, France and Switzerland a number of times over the last twenty plus years, either alone for work or with family for vacation. But this time it was for a totally different purpose, which is to visit the reformation sites and to learn about the Reformation history and the lives of the reformers. This subject matter is not new to me as in CPBPC over the years I learned little by little about the 16th Century Reformation from the various messages preached by our Pastors. Every year CPBPC commemorates the Reformation Sunday on the last Lord’s Day of October with special morning and evening Worship Services, and the publication of special booklets featuring the Reformation stories, the lives and work of the reformers, the women in Reformation etc. Therefore I went with excitement and anticipation to visit the historical Reformation sites and to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the issues debated. These included the sacrifices, persecutions and sufferings (some even paid with their lives) of the reformers.

In this article, I am sharing with the readers what I saw, heard, learned and read (during and after the pilgrimage) concerning the great 16th Century Reformation and the works of four of the many reformers, the focus of this particular pilgrimage, namely, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Huss and Ulric Zwingli. I pray that this article will give the readers a glimpse into the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century in breaking away from the erroneous teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic system, in making the Bible available in native languages for common people and in restoring Christianity back to its original form based solely on God’s Word.

Reformation Pilgrimage, 14-24 May 2014

Singapore/Germany, Berlin (Day 1/2)

The group of 47 pilgrims departed from Singapore on 14th May 2014 at 8:20 pm via Etihad Airways. After a 2.5 hrs stop over at Abu Dhabi, we arrived in Berlin on 15th May at 7:00 am local time (7 hrs behind Singapore time). We were warmly received by the German tour guide and driver who would be with the pilgrimage till the end of the trip. We started the city tour of Berlin with a first stop at Charlie Check Point of the Berlin Wall – a wall with colourful painting on both sides, which was partially taken down in a historic movement in 1989 (40 years after it was erected) which led to the reunification of West and East Germany. We then had brief stops at Brandenburg Gate, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Reichstag building etc. Next we had a guided tour of the Pergamom Museum where we saw King Nebuchadnezzar’s throne hall, the gate of Babylon and the Pergamom altar.

Martin Luther (1483-1546) - Wittenberg, Erfurt, Eisenach, Rudesheim and Worms in Germany (Day 3/4/5)

We travelled southwest of Berlin to Wittenberg, Erfurt, Eisenach, Rudesheim and Worms. In these cities we visited the places which traced the footsteps of this great German reformer Martin Luther, the son of a miner, born on 10th November 1483. In 1501 his father sent him to Erfurt University, one of the best Universities in Germany, to study Classics and Theology. In 1502 he obtained his B.A. On 17th Aug 1505, he kept his vow and entered the monastery of the Augustinian Hermits at Erfurt. Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on 31st October 1517 which sparked off the 16th Century Protestant Reformation; wrote the famous hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (it is generally said that it was composed on his long journey from Wittenberg to Worms to appear before the Imperial Diet); and was fondly remembered for his wonderful and spirit-filled reply to the Imperial Diet at Worms "Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or on plain and clear grounds of reason, so that conscience shall bind me to make acknowledgement of error, I cannot and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything contrary to conscience."

Wittenberg – The highlights are: 1) Lutherstadt Wittenberg, where Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses stating the evils of indulgences to the door of Schlosskirche (Castle Church) on 31st October 1517 which sparked off the Protestant Reformation. During Luther’s time this was the University Chapel and the doors were used as a bulletin board. Luther often preached here and in the City Church of St. Mary. 2) "Lutherhalle" – This building is now a museum. Luther lived here when he came to Wittenberg in 1508. Later Luther lived here with his wife Katharina von Bora and their six children. Some of Luther’s personal library, priesthood garment, rare manuscripts, early Bibles and some of the pamphlets that Luther had printed that stoked the fires of the Reformation were exhibited. Luther was the lecturer in the University of Wittenberg where he lectured first in scholastic philosophy which was not what he wanted, later on he was asked to lecture in theology which enabled him to start on his chosen subject, Scriptures Exposition. In addition to teaching University students, he preached with the power of the Holy Spirit to the public at an old wooden church.

Erfurt - The highlights are: 1) Augustinian Monastery – Luther entered the monastery of the Augustinian Hermits on 17th August 1505 and remained there for almost three years. In this place he experienced many hardships, required to wake up daily very early in morning to do the most menial tasks with a strict regimental routine schedule. He humbly devoted himself to the monastic life. We viewed Luther’s cell, a small cubical with mattress and pillow made of a kind of sack cloths on the floor, an indication of the harsh living conditions in the monastery. At this part of his life, he was very concerned about the salvation of his soul. He was taught by the older monks that if he wants to be accepted by God and get to heaven, he must do a lot of "good works" including literally tortured and to mortify his own body. He proved himself mistaken, for in spite of all the "good works" including diligently and obediently keeping all the church traditions, practices, ceremonies and rituals, he found himself still under the bondage of sin and without peace. It was during this trying time that the Lord sent two men to lead him to salvation, namely: John Staupitz (Vicar-General of the Augustinian Order) who said to him "It is not in vain that God exercises you in so many conflicts. You will see that He will employ you as His servant for great purposes. Let the study of the Scriptures be your favourite occupation". The second was an old monk who repeated to him when he was very seriously ill the words of the Apostle’s Creed, "I believe in the forgiveness of sins". These words blessed his soul and convicted his heart to believe that his sins had been forgiven by the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary. He learned that it was by faith alone that he could be saved and not by his own good works (Eph 2:8-9) and "the just shall live by faith" (Hab 2:4, Heb 10:38). These became the fundamental truth of the Reformation. 2) St Mary’s Cathedral – In May 1507 Luther was ordained in this cathedral as a priest, at the age of 24. This is a typical magnificent and grand cathedral filled with images, idols, "holy articles" and relics. This was supposed to be the "house of God"! This is a testimony of the man’s imagination, man’s way of worshipping God and the riches of the Church, which are not of God. The Bible teaches us that "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…… Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: ….." (Exo 20:4-5) and that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

Eisenach –Here we visited the Wartburg Castle, a large castle made up of multiple interconnecting buildings on a small hill. In 1521, Luther was invited to appear before the Imperial Diet at Worms to defend his case. He was asked repeatedly to recant from his "errors", but he refused. With the Pope’s excommunication and the imperial Edict of arrest, how could he survive such immense forces? The Lord was on his side and prepared a safe escape for him. For as he passed through the black forest on the journey back from Worms to Wittenberg, he was suddenly seized by armed horse-men, in fact sent by his friends, and mysteriously rushed away to Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. This castle became his safe hiding place for almost a year from May 1521 to March 1522. This was the Lord’s way of protecting and preserving Luther from the Papacy and the Emperor who were determined to exterminate him by all means. In this castle, he rested from the strains of the previous years and completed the translation of the New Testament from Greek into German, in a mere 11 weeks. The Lord’s hand was seen and felt in the Reformation. None can stop God’s work if it is done according to His will. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"; "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:28, 31).

Worms – This is one of the imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire. More than 100 Imperial Diets were held here, including the famous Diet of Worms of April 1521 to which Luther was summoned. He stood before church leaders, king and emperor, princes and nobles to defend his teaching and writing and challenge the entire Roman Catholic establishment. He refused persistently to recant the great doctrines of Protestantism and ended his speech with "Here I stand. I have no choice. God help me Amen". We visited the site of the Imperial Diet of Worms, commemorated by a plaque which reads "HEIR STAND VOR KAISER UND REICH MARTIN LUTHER 1521".

John Calvin (1509-1564) – Strasbourg in France (Day 6)/Geneva in Switzerland (Day 10)

From Worms we travelled southward to Strasbourg, where we visited the French Reformed Church founded by Calvin. This church is situated away from the main road in a quiet court yard to avoid attention. Four days later we arrived at Geneva, known as Protestant Rome, a stronghold of the 16th Century Reformation. This Swiss city attracted Protestant refugees from all over Europe. Here in Geneva we visited: 1) St. Peter’s Church where Calvin was a Pastor as well as teacher of God’s Word for many years. 2) The site of Calvin’s house in Geneva. A street sign nearby which is named after Calvin reads: "Rue Jean-CAVIN (1509-1564, Theologien et reformateur de Geneve)". 3) International Reformation Monument also known as the Reformation Wall which honours many of the main individuals, events and documents of the Protestant Monument. At the centre of the monument wall is four 5-metre statues of four Reformation leaders, namely William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and John Knox. 4) International Museum of the Reformation - artefacts from the Reformation providing a chronicle of the Reformation from its origins to the present are displayed.

Calvin, the French Protestant Theologian, was born at Noyon in France in July 1509, about 25 years after Luther and Zwingli. His father worked for the local Roman Catholic bishop managing the business affairs of the cathedral. Calvin gave up his career as a lawyer and turned to the study of Scriptures after his father passed away in 1531. Being endowed with an exceptionally clear and keen mind, and a receptive heart, his expositions of Biblical truth are penned down in the famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, the first edition being published in 1536 when he was a mere 27 years old. This "Institutes" has become the foundation doctrines of the reformed faith and has since gone through many revisions and translated into many languages. Calvin is known as the theologian of the Reformation.

In 1532 he came to preach in Geneva. In 1536 shortly after the publication of his "Institutes", he stopped by Italy, then to settle his family business and family estate at Noyon, and then left his homeland for Strasbourg, where he planned to spend his time in quiet isolation to study and write. However, he was forced to change his route because of war and so turned to enter Switzerland. He had intended to stay at Geneva for just one night. There, he met William Farel, a French reformer in exile, 20 years his senior. Farel urged Calvin with great vehemence to stay and help him in the Gospel work. Calvin declined Farel’s vigorous persuasions as he felt unqualified for the job because of his young age and lack of practical experience. Out of frustration, Farel uttered words of imprecation to Calvin: "It might please God to curse your rest and tranquillity for study you are seeking, if in so great a necessary you were to withdraw and refuse to give me help and assistance". Calvin was terrified by this, and so agreed to stay. Like Jonah, there is no running away from the will of God. While in Geneva, he drew up the articles of religion in the form of 21 Articles for the Protestant Church. This resulted in disputes and conflict between the ministers of the Reformed Faith and the City Councillors of Geneva, and finally led to Calvin and Farel being ordered to leave Geneva in 1538. At the request of the Reformation leader Martin Bucer in France, Calvin went to Strasbourg to pastor the French Church, ministering to a congregation of French refugees from 1538 to 1541. While in Strasbourg he married Idelette de Bure whom Calvin referred to as "my excellent life-companion, the ever-faithful assistant of my ministry and a rare-woman". Their marriage did not last long as after a long illness she died in 1549. In 1539 he published his "Commentary on Romans" and a small volume of Psalms in French verse together with music for singing in the Protestant services. He spent the rest of his life from 1541 – 1564 in Geneva focusing on writing, preaching and lecturing. By the grace of God, he made great contributions to the Protestant Reformation movement in France and Switzerland. His most significant contributions are his books on systematic theology and commentaries on most of the books of the Bible, the results of many lectures and sermons he gave at Strasbourg and Geneva.

His health was poor for much of his life, yet he never spared himself for the sake of the Gospel. He died in 1564 at the comparatively early age of 54 years old.

References:

1. Booklet published by FEBC for the Reformation Pilgrimage - Germany, France and Switzerland from 14-24 May 2014.

2. The Reformers MARTIN LUTHER by JOHN BROOME, Gospel Standard Trust Publications 1994

3. The Reformers WYCLIFFE & HUSS by JOHN BROOME, Gospel Standard Trust Publications 1994

4. The Reformers ZWINGLI & CALVIN by JOHN BROOME, Gospel Standard Trust Publications 1994