This past Sunday, we attended church and continued our search for the right congregation. We have been to several places. Some of them we liked. Some of them we did not like. Others we found to be middling. In the process, we have seen old friends and met some new people. I know we will find the right church.
I grew up in a Southern Baptist congregation and was not exposed to other denominations. As a result, it has been interesting to notice the differences among the places we have been. It has made me think about how the Christian belief has divided itself into varied pieces. They all believe in the life, death a resurrection of Jesus, but, from there, the things go in all kinds of directions.
During a recent sermon, my mind began to wander toward those differences and the time when many of them began – the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the church. It was a world-changing moment that kickstarted the Protestant Reformation.
Do not worry. I am not going into the history of religion. Instead, I am going into my childish brain. I have not taught World Civilization in a few years, but, when I did, I always showed a documentary about Martin Luther. I figure the experts on the screen can explain his life and importance better than me.
Anyway, the documentary is divided into sections, and one is entitled “Diet of Worms.” I know the correct pronunciation of that event, but my brain always registers it with the southern United States pronunciation. That is when my childish brain starts working, and I cannot hold back a smile.
Did they punish Martin Luther by making him eat bait?
Was that the menu at the cafeteria? If yes, then it is no wonder that they were uptight.
Did they order out and some servant come back with the wrong thing? I can hear him trying to explain how the drive-thru window got it wrong.
I know that the Diet of Worms was another important event in history. Martin Luther’s life was on the line, and he stood firm with his criticisms of the Catholic Church. This, along with help from some powerful leaders, brought about the Protestant Reformation. Of course, that means the churches we have been visiting owe their existence to the people and events during that time.
I wonder how many Protestants know that. I also wonder how many Protestants would be as childish as me if they heard about the Diet of Worms.
By the way, ask some people about Martin Luther and see how many talk about his “I Have a Dream” speech. It will probably be more than you think.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 