The Problem With Works-Based Salvation, in Simple Terms

I think today's Calvin and Hobbes cartoon illustrates a great deal of what Martin Luther was trying to say in his Heidelberg Disputation, but says it in a lot simpler terms.

If you want the longer version, I highly recommend two books.  The first is the classic by Gerhard Forde, On Being a Theologian of the Cross.  The second is Alistair McGrath's look at the same material, Luther's Theology of the Cross.

I'm planning to re-read Forde's book, as it is one that can't be absorbed fully on the first (or likely the second or third) reading.

I'm working on McGrath's book now.  Good stuff.  But Calvin (the kid, not the theologian) says it pretty well above.

Courage

This man had courage.  Major, big-time courage.

Two Views of October 31- One Thoughtful, One Fun

Today is both Reformation Day and Halloween.  In honor of the former, and in retrospect of the latter, here are two YouTube videos.

John Piper on Halloween.

Piper is introspective and balanced...well worth hearing in you have radicals on either side of the issue screaming at you.


Manic Monday Luther.

This one is just fun, but it is very much historically accurate.

HT: Dan Phillips, DG Blog

I Love the 1590s

Other than missing the date by about 70 years, this was pretty funny.  Probably even funnier if you are a Lutheran or a German (I'm neither).  But to anyone in the reformed tradition, it's worth a watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJewiD6YaSk&feature=related

Today is Reformation Day!

Today may be Halloween to many, but to me it is Reformation Day.  Those of us who celebrate it commemorate the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the church door at Wittenburg in 1517.  While the events of the start of the protestant reformation are many and diverse, most accept this event as the impetus that started it all.

Here is the best concise explanation of the ramifications of that event on our culture and the church today (from Ligonier Ministries, of course).