On the 31st October 1517 Martin Luther published his Ninety-Five Theses in which he criticised the sale of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. This date is considered the beginning of the Reformation. While the Protestant Reformers are widely praised for the rediscovery of the biblical gospel, they have come under fire regarding their views on mission. There are church historians and missiologists who argue that the Protestant Reformers were not interested in mission and, in fact, ignored the mission mandate which Christ had given to his Church. However, a closer study of Luther, Calvin, Bucer, and Melanchthon, shows that the critics miss both the Reformers’ commitment to practical mission work and their missiological contributions.
The critics seem to overlook the fact that cities, such as Geneva and Wittenberg, in which the Reformers lived, studied and taught, served as hubs of a huge missionary enterprise. Thousands of preachers went out from these centres of the Reformation to spread the gospel all over Europe. Leading Scandinavian theologians, such as Mikael Agricola, Olaus Petri, or Hans Tausen, had all studied under Luther and Melanchthon in Wittenberg before they began their reform work in their home countries.
Furthermore, with their re-discovery of the gospel of justification by faith alone, their emphasis on the personal character of faith in Christ, their radical re-interpretation of the priesthood, their recognition of God’s authorship of mission, their reminder that the witness to the gospel takes place in the midst of a spiritual battle, and their insistence that the Bible has to be available in common languages, the Protestant Reformers laid down important principles for the mission work of the church which are still valid today.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Foreword
- The Charges against the Reformers
- The Critics and their Flaws
- The Reformation Cities: Regional Mission Hubs
- Wittenberg and the Reformation in Scandinavia
- The Reformers and their Mission Theology
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This book aims to refute the common criticism that the Protestant Reformers neglected mission work and did not contribute significantly to mission theology. It argues that this perspective overlooks both the practical missionary activities stemming from Reformation centers and the Reformers' substantial missiological contributions.
- The false accusation of the Reformers' lack of interest in mission.
- Reformation cities as hubs for missionary activity.
- The Reformers' missiological contributions and their lasting impact.
- The significance of the Reformers' rediscovery of the gospel and its implications for mission.
- The role of Wittenberg in the spread of the Reformation in Scandinavia.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Foreword: This foreword sets the stage by highlighting the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017 and introducing the central thesis: that critiques of the Reformers' neglect of mission are inaccurate. It briefly touches upon the common criticism and introduces the book's counter-argument, focusing on the Reformers' practical engagement in mission work and their contributions to mission theology. The foreword also acknowledges the support received for the writing of the book.
The Charges against the Reformers: This chapter likely details the specific accusations leveled against the Protestant Reformers concerning their alleged lack of interest in missionary endeavors. It likely presents the historical context and the arguments of those who criticize the Reformers' missionary engagement or theological contributions to mission. The chapter's main objective is to establish a clear understanding of the criticisms that the book will subsequently address and refute.
The Critics and their Flaws: This chapter directly engages with the critiques outlined in the previous chapter. It is expected to dissect the arguments of the critics, pointing out logical fallacies, historical inaccuracies, or incomplete understandings of the context of the Reformers' actions. The chapter might analyze primary sources to demonstrate the flaws in the critics' reasoning, showcasing the evidence that contradicts their claims.
The Reformation Cities: Regional Mission Hubs: This chapter focuses on demonstrating the practical missionary work emanating from key Reformation cities like Wittenberg and Geneva. It likely provides detailed examples of missionary activities, networks of preachers, and the geographic spread of the Reformation from these urban centers. The chapter’s purpose is to demonstrate that the Reformation was not a purely theological movement but had significant practical missionary dimensions.
Wittenberg and the Reformation in Scandinavia: This chapter likely explores the specific impact of Wittenberg as a center of learning and its influence on the Reformation in Scandinavia. It probably profiles leading Scandinavian theologians who studied under Luther and Melanchthon in Wittenberg and then initiated reform movements in their own countries. The chapter will provide evidence of the direct connection between Wittenberg and the spread of the Reformation beyond Germany.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Mission Theology, Mission Practice, Justification by Faith, Reformation Cities, Wittenberg, Geneva, Scandinavia, Missionary Activity, Missiology, Biblical Gospel.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this book?
This book aims to disprove the common misconception that Protestant Reformers neglected mission work and didn't significantly contribute to mission theology. It argues that this perspective ignores both the practical missionary activities originating from Reformation centers and the Reformers' substantial missiological contributions.
What are the key themes explored in the book?
Key themes include refuting the accusation of Reformers' lack of interest in mission; highlighting Reformation cities as hubs for missionary activity; examining the Reformers' missiological contributions and their lasting impact; exploring the significance of the Reformers' rediscovery of the gospel and its implications for mission; and analyzing the role of Wittenberg in spreading the Reformation in Scandinavia.
What is covered in the "Charges against the Reformers" chapter?
This chapter details the specific accusations against Protestant Reformers regarding their supposed lack of interest in missionary work. It presents the historical context and arguments of those criticizing the Reformers' missionary engagement or theological contributions to mission, setting the stage for the book's counterarguments.
What does the chapter on "The Critics and their Flaws" discuss?
This chapter directly addresses the critiques from the previous chapter, dissecting the critics' arguments, pointing out logical fallacies, historical inaccuracies, or incomplete understandings of the context. It uses primary sources to demonstrate flaws in the critics' reasoning and present contradictory evidence.
What is the focus of "The Reformation Cities: Regional Mission Hubs" chapter?
This chapter demonstrates the practical missionary work stemming from key Reformation cities like Wittenberg and Geneva. It provides examples of missionary activities, networks of preachers, and the geographic spread of the Reformation from these urban centers, showing the Reformation's practical missionary dimensions.
What does the chapter on "Wittenberg and the Reformation in Scandinavia" cover?
This chapter explores Wittenberg's impact as a learning center and its influence on the Reformation in Scandinavia. It profiles Scandinavian theologians who studied in Wittenberg and initiated reform movements in their own countries, demonstrating the direct connection between Wittenberg and the spread of the Reformation beyond Germany.
What are the key chapters in the book?
The book includes chapters on the Foreword, The Charges against the Reformers, The Critics and their Flaws, The Reformation Cities: Regional Mission Hubs, Wittenberg and the Reformation in Scandinavia, and The Reformers and their Mission Theology. The Foreword sets the stage and introduces the central thesis. The remaining chapters elaborate upon the themes and provide supporting evidence.
What are the key words associated with this book?
Keywords include Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Mission Theology, Mission Practice, Justification by Faith, Reformation Cities, Wittenberg, Geneva, Scandinavia, Missionary Activity, Missiology, and Biblical Gospel.
What is the overall goal of the book?
The book aims to present a comprehensive and accurate view of the Protestant Reformers' involvement in mission work and their contributions to mission theology, countering the common criticism of their alleged neglect of mission.
What kind of audience is this book intended for?
While not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the preview suggests the book is intended for an academic audience interested in the history of the Protestant Reformation and its impact on mission theology and practice.
- Citar trabajo
- Dr. Thorsten Prill (Autor), 2017, Luther, Calvin and the Mission of the Church, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/351853
