Noted British historian, Diarmaid MacCulloch, in his book of essays to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, All Things Made New, wrote:

“Christianity has a huge capacity to mutate, like all successful major world faiths. Christians do not like being reminded of this, particularly those who are in charge of the various religious institutions which call themselves Churches, but that is the reality, and has been from the beginning. It will be better for the mental health of the followers of the great religions if they come to recognize this diversity as a virtue and not a vice, an opportunity and not a threat.” (Pg 16).

As we remember the Reformation at this time of the year, with the commemoration of Luther, Calvin, Jan Huss, and John Whclyff, we should remember that the reforms these men and the others, both men and women, brought not only to the religion of Europe, and subsequently to the world, but also the society as a whole, then and now.

Reformation, as MacCulloch has stated, is an ever-present activity as Christians attempt to communicate to the current and future generations the meaning and blessings of life within the living presence of Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

DJL