Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/63

Contributor - Gerard Van Dyk

Title - October 31 had its day?

Topic - Reformation

Let's hope so It seems that it would do us more harm than good if we go on to emphasize the Reformation as we have done. What I mean is, we only succeed in scaring away and confusing more people if we continue to celebrate the Reformation with our slogans.

But let me first explain, because I am told that even our young people are quite unaware of the historic importance of October 31. Those who might have forgotten, or maybe never even heard what October 31 is all about, are reminded that on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the castle-church in Wittenberg, Germany. That date is usually agreed upon as the beginning of the Reformation. For further clarification I add that we used to celebrate that fact by announcing to the world, on or around October 31, that we, the people of the Reformation, believe in grace; fists clenched and tongues sharpened. The scare and the confusion, of course, were in the fists and the tongues. It was in the way in which we used grace as a fighting slogan that was most successful in chasing people away, especially the shy and the timid souls. They were so impressed with our undoubted, masculin faith, that they just would not dare to come close to us with the problems of their weak and doubting lives. Our attitude also cut in another direction. It also hardened the conviction of those who were of another opinion.

To sum it all up, all too often our celebration of the Reformation has amounted to cutting the channels of communication between grace and sin, between God and the sinner. Instead of making it possible for grace and sin to come together, so that grace may forgive the sinner, we have anxiously been trying to keep them apart.

Grace and the Reformation

The Reformation meant many things to be sure. But underlying the variety of insights it brought was the rediscovery of grace, the biblical revelation of God. Because the Reformation was a return to the Bible, it rediscovered that God is merciful, that in Him we actually live and move and have our being. Indeed, the Reformation rediscovered that life is only possible at all by the grace of the God who will not let us go, however sinful we and the world may be. Contrary to outward appearances and inward experiences, the Reformation insists that the God of grace is the ruler yet, and that "He will reign for ever and ever." Here, by the way, we have the biblical meaning of predestination; another way of saying that contrary to the accusations of the world and my own conscience, that God of grace is on my side. Not to believe this is sin. Unbelief in the God of mercy and grace is the source of all sin; it is sin itself.

If this is to be taken seriously, it would mean the end of all our fear and misplaced concern, because it would mean that there is nothing for us to safeguard and defend, save the fact that God defends and protects us. Above all, it would unfold our clenched fists and make them speak a benediction. It would take the sharpness off our tongues and make them utter the assurance of pardon. It also may draw the world to us, especially the shy and timid souls. It may even set to wonder those who are of another conviction.

To sum all this up, the Reformation meant the rediscovery of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ For Him living by grace meant climbing a hill called Calvary' And there they crucified Him, sinner to the world, but saint and son to the Father. Through faith He held on to the goodness of God, contrary to outward appearances and inward experiences. And as the world killed Him, He blessed it.

The Church and the Reformation.

Because of the rediscovery Of grace, the Reformation had something very definite to say about the Church. For one thing, the Reformation was very much against making a monastery of the church where people live their own and isolated lives with a group of like-minded Christians, enjoying the grace of God undisturbed. As a matter of fact, monasteries came under attack by the Reformation because they tended to give up the world as lost, whereas God claims the whole world as His own, simply because He made it and the people in it. So, the Christian is his brother's keeper. The God who will not let us go, will not let our brother go either, however sinful that brother is, as the story of Cain tells us. And it we have difficulty in knowing who our brother is, we should read the parable of the good Samaritan.

In the light of the Reformation, the task of the Church is really quite simple. In word and deed, it is to believe in the grace of God for sinners. But the Church must do this in the midst of a world that virtually and persistently demonstrates the impossibility of grace. And here, of course, is the clincher. If the Church does just that, no more and no less, it will inevitably have a cross to bear.

The world demands proof, and the only proof of God's grace is in the cross. When the grace of God comes into contact with in, as it should, it inevitably takes the form of a cross, But then, we have the assurance of Jesus who said, "For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it." Our Calvinistic forefathers really made the same point when they said that Christians should be willing to be damned for the glory of God. True Chris tian faith always has meant and still means having confidence in the God of grace regardless of pro fit or loss.

To sum this up, in the Church "it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are "children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

October 31 had its day ? If it means mere lip-service to a courageous but non-relevant story that happened long ago, let's hope so. If it means that we too are willing to cheerfully bear the burden of God's grace in the midst of a sinful world, then by all means, let the Church celebrate October 31. If we too are willing to bless the world and to love our enemy, October 31 must not be forgotten. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."

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