The Sixteenth Century Reformation is considered as next to the introduction of Christianity for its impact on the life of the Church and society as a whole. For Reformation in general, and Luther in particular, directly or indirectly provided an immense impulse and a propelling force to every forward movement towards modern world and human civilization. Even five hundred years after, Luther's theological challenges and the spirit of Reformation continue to inspire people to stand against various ills and evils in the Church and society. As the situation of Church and society in our times appear rather more volatile than the situation of Luther's time, perhaps the spirit of Reformation not only appears more impelling, but its challenges and relevance finds new meanings and vibrancy. Therefore, in order to mark the commemoration of 500th Years of Reformation and the challenges beyond, the UELCI and Gurukul comeout with this volume which reads the Sixteenth Century Reformation and its relevance with new eyes and from diverse perspectives by giving strong emphasis on the issues and challenges facing the Indian society at large and the Indian Church in particular. Hope, this book will instil in readers, a vision for transforming reformation.
Rev. Dr. Songram Basumatary, the Editor of the book, is an ordained minister of the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) who hails from Assam, India. Currently he teaches at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute, Chennai and also serves the College as HoD of the Department of Theology & Ethics, Dean of the Post Graduate Studies, and the Head of Luther Studies.
I am so delighted for this great opportunity to write few lines of prologue in this book which is published as part of commemorating the 500 Years of Reformation. Nailing of 95 Theses by Martin Luther five hundred years ago at the door of Castle Church, Wittenberg had revolutionised the western world and led to transformation in various aspects. The Sixteenth Century Reformation inducted by Martin Luther brought immense changes in the life of the church, its theology, worship, music, social action, etc. The impact of reformation does not end there. Even after five long centuries, Luther's theology continues to make many strides and impact the life of the church and individuals.
Therefore, publishing this book "Transforming Reformation: Reformation in Perspectives" is a fitting piece of tribute to Martin Luther who dedicated his whole life in reforming the church and society towards realising the Reign of God on earth. But more than this, the book comes as a ground breaking piece for carrying out the reformation legacy in our times with new eyes and new vigour.
Needless to say, India stands as the oldest Lutheran Church communion outside Europe and Northern America. The contributions of the Lutheran Missionaries of Europe and Northern America played a significant role in establishing Lutheran congregations in India and the Indian Lutheran Church played a major role in the composition of Christianity in India. Today, the one third of the Lutheran Christians in Asia is from India. The composition of Lutheran communion in India is predominantly Dalits and Adivasis (tribals). Each member churches within the communion are from unique cultural backgrounds and from different mission agencies. However, in spite of various diversities, the Lutheran churches in India are unified by the theology and teachings of Luther and Lutheranism.
The Sixteenth Century Reformation is considered by historians as next to the introduction of Christianity. In fact, it was like relaunching of Christianity itself and Luther not only was a reformer, but a Messiah of Christian faith and Christian theology. For Luther with his revolutionary transforming vision brought a Copernicus Revolution like turn around in the Christianity. He brought almost complete paradigm shift in Christian doctrine and theology. The Church was never the same as before, theology was never again static after Luther.
Beside religious realm, the Reformation movement also impacted upon the culture and civilization of western world and beyond. The Reformation in general and Luther in particular, directly or indirectly provided an immense impulse and a propelling force to every forward movement towards modern world and human civilization. Luther, a theologian, a pastor and a preacher managed to excite every sections of people in his time to look for better world. Even five hundred years after, he continues to challenge and inspire, theologians, pastors, preachers, revolutionaries, politicians, social scientists, economists, psychologists, playwrights, musicians, etc.
What made Reformation and Luther such influential and never dying inspiration to people generation after generation? Answer to this question perhaps lies neither in the greatness of reformation nor in the heroic work of Luther. Instead, it is solely on the ecclesiological and societal contexts and situations peoples face. It is the context and situation that demand and recall the spirit of reformation and the revolutionary theology of Luther. For the context and situation of Church and society time and again revolves back to the context and situation of Sixteenth Century. We could see the same context and situation in the Church and society of our times.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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