I know it's Halloween. Everyone is excited about costumes, candy, and parties. But there is something far greater to celebrate than the sugar rushes and belly aches just waiting to be unleashed.
On this day in 1517 (almost 500 years ago), Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. While his desire was not to start an official movement or even split from the church, this sparked the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
In addition to preaching justification by faith, the Protestant Reformation also sought to transform worship. For those of us who enjoy congregational singing (hopefully all of us), we have the 16th century to thank. Men like Martin Luther and John Calvin begin putting psalms to music and writing hymns. Through these, important doctrines could be heard, understood, and spread throughout the church. Luther described music as "the handmaiden to theology." It was complementary to the gospel preaching of the Word each and every Sunday.
In the spirit of Reformation Day, I figure it would be fitting to include a hymn from that time period. I could have gone with Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." It is a fantastic hymn. Instead, I have chosen a potentially unfamiliar hymn with a very familiar tune. It is from the Genevan Psalter, which John Calvin implemented in the church in Geneva. It is entitled "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" which carries to the tune of the doxology.
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell,
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God in deed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His flock, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise,
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless His name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom heaven and earth adore,
From earth and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore
Happy Reformation Day!
On this day in 1517 (almost 500 years ago), Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. While his desire was not to start an official movement or even split from the church, this sparked the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
In addition to preaching justification by faith, the Protestant Reformation also sought to transform worship. For those of us who enjoy congregational singing (hopefully all of us), we have the 16th century to thank. Men like Martin Luther and John Calvin begin putting psalms to music and writing hymns. Through these, important doctrines could be heard, understood, and spread throughout the church. Luther described music as "the handmaiden to theology." It was complementary to the gospel preaching of the Word each and every Sunday.
In the spirit of Reformation Day, I figure it would be fitting to include a hymn from that time period. I could have gone with Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." It is a fantastic hymn. Instead, I have chosen a potentially unfamiliar hymn with a very familiar tune. It is from the Genevan Psalter, which John Calvin implemented in the church in Geneva. It is entitled "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" which carries to the tune of the doxology.
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell,
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God in deed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His flock, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise,
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless His name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good,
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom heaven and earth adore,
From earth and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore
Happy Reformation Day!
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