Luther 500

As 2017, the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the Ninety-Five Theses to that infamous door, looms, we can expect a deluge of Luther materials.  It is going to be the nearest thing to church history heaven on earth for those of us who love the Doc.

Almost first out of the blocks, it seems, is an excellent webpage and accompnaying materials co-sponsored by the Imperial Grand Black Chapter and the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland: Luther 500.  The project is the brainchild of my friend, Robert Campbell, and consists of a series of great booklets -- attractive in hardcopy and free for download.  I was invited to write the biographical essay in the booklet on Luther as Theologian of the Cross.

I have to say -- of all parachurch organizations, I never expected to be writing for the Lodge.  To be working for First Things and the Grand Black Chapter is pretty -- ahem -- ecumenical.   Yet the younger leaders, like Robert Campbell, are focused not on politics but on articulating the evangelical faith to a new generation.  And the result is really extremely helpful and I recommend the series to anybody who wants to introduce Luther to Christians who may not be aware of him, or indeed for the purposes of evangelism.  And I'll back anything that promotes further knowledge and appreciation of the Doc.