Martin Luther, Nelson Mandela taught us to dream the impossible dream
THE Calvyn Protestant Church of South Africa, in celebrating its 67th year of existence during the month of October, hereby wishes to share its sentiments around the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the practical implications it holds for today.
October 2017 marks a celebration of history like no other. A moment that, indeed, shaped the discourse about religion and the world.
In October 1517, a Catholic monk, priest and scholar by the name of Martin Luther confronted, questioned and challenged the established thought paradigms around tradition, justice, forgiveness and church life. Luther’s initial protest was nailing his 95 theses against the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, in protest against the heresy teaching and the exploitation of the laity.
In a time when obedience to church and state was the order of the day, Luther inspired a revolution, stood up for the ordinary citizen and was prepared to die for his convictions.
He said: “I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”
In the same way, Nelson Mandela said: “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
It is of paramount importance that, as a society today, we heed the lessons of history.
History should not capture us; it should inform us. History, therefore, should not define us but rather we should be shaped because of history.
Similarly, the Reformation of Luther and the reformers should not capture us, should not define us, but rather it should inspire us, transform us and shape our discourse to that which is relevant today.
The 1517 Reformation is, therefore, alive and calls us to duty. Today, the Reformation is a call to think anew, to be still in our minds, to ponder afresh upon that which influences our society, both negatively and positively.
Today, the Reformation is a call for prophetic faithfulness in and amid traditions, governments and civil society where justice does not reign supreme.
Today, the Reformation is a call for bravery, a call for duty-bound faith, a call for men and women of courageous convictions to stand up for what is right and just. The burning of religious buildings and educational resources, the slaughter of innocent children is not right in any language, in any creed, in any movement. The Reformation calls for a radical engagement, selfless sacrifice, and the need to urgently defend goodness, justice and the safety of our communities against the tyranny of power, pride, evil and short-sightedness.
In a movie released in the year 2000, called The Beach, the following quote was coined: “Young people have nothing to believe in and therefore nothing to fight for.”
The reformers believed and fought for the freedom of religion, the freedom of thought, the freedom to believe. Men and women in the Reformation were prepared to die for their convictions; their consciousness was guided by Scripture.
Unfortunately, the consciousness of our nation is under threat: the need for deep introspection, prayerful thought and engaged reasoning is much needed today.
It is time for ordinary men and women to realise that our humanity is at stake. It is time for the ordinary citizen to be inspired. It is time for an African reformation where we learn from one another, depend on one another, embrace one another.
It is time for an African reformation where religious customs are remembered in order to build up and plant; where accountability and respect in community is nurtured and protected; where equality and justice are cornerstones of our very existence.
Five hundred years ago, the 95 revolutionary opinions of Martin Luther changed a destiny of a people and created a reformation of note, a launch pad of possibilities.
Let us in 2017 dream the impossible dream, let us challenge and influence the popular thought patterns of our country, let us engage in questioning and debating. Let our convictions and our beliefs be our voice! Let us continue the Reformation!
Bam writes on behalf of the Moderature of the Calvyn Protestant Church of South Africa.