500th Anniversary of Protestant Reformation

Multiple events planned in Andrews community

Throughout the next few weeks, there will be numerous opportunities for the Andrews University community to experience the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Opening Wednesday, October 11

The Center for Adventist Research, located on the first floor of the James White Library, opens a new exhibit, “Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation: A Brief Review,” on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Five hundred years ago, in 1517, Martin Luther brought about much needed change within the established church. The Protestant Reformation fundamentally changed Christianity as well as other aspects of daily life. Learn about the precursors to the Reformation, what the Church and State were like in medieval times, who Martin Luther really was, and the legacy and outcomes of the Reformation. For further information, contact the Center at 269-471-3209 or car@andrews.edu.

Thursday–Saturday, October 12–14

The symposium opens with welcoming remarks on Thursday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Seminary Chapel. One of two keynote speakers, Timothy J. Wengert, emeritus Ministerium of Pennyslvania professor of churchhistory at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, will present “Martin Luther’s Theology in the Light of the 95 Theses” at 6:50 p.m.

Roland Ziegler, born in Germany and currently the Robert D. Preus associate professor of systematic theology and confessional Lutheran studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, will speak on “Luther’s View of Reason” from 8–9 p.m.

On Friday, Oct. 13, they will be joined by Nikolaus Satelmajer, well-known author and editor, who will present “Islam in the Writings of Luther and Adventism” as well as “Luther and Bible Translation: Impact on Reformation and Mission.” A total of 24 presentations are scheduled throughout the next two days.

Also featured will be an emphasis on music and the visual arts in the reformation with a concert by the Redbud Consort Renaissance and Reformation instrumental group, a reformation hymn sing with David Williams on the pipe organ, and Charles Reid, tenor, leading the singing, and a presentation on “Art as Artillery” by Giselle Hasel. The symposium is also the occasion for the release of the new book, “Here We Stand: Luther, the Reformation and Seventh-day Adventism,” published by Pacific Press. Michael W. Campbell and Nikolaus Satelmajer edited the volume, which includes 27 chapters by an international group of authors, many of whom will be presenting at the symposium.

For additional information, visit http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/luther/or call the Department of Church History at 269-471-3541.

Saturday, October 21

For more information regarding the honors church service contact L Monique Pittman, director, at honors@andrews.eduor call 269-471-3297.

Friday & Saturday, October 27–28

The Village Seventh-day Adventist Church will host a weekend commemoration, “Reviving the Reformation,” beginning Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. with Samuel Thomas Jr. presenting “This…We Know.”  For first and second Sabbath morning worship services Michael Hasel will share Part 1 and Part 2 of “The Catholic Counter-Reformation Today.” After a fellowship lunch, workshops will be presented on various Reformers by Andrew von Maur, Denis Kaiser, Erhard Gallos, Glenn Russell, John Markovic, Steve Toscano, Michael Hasel, Michael Younker, Kathy Demsky, and Wes Peppers.  At 5:30 p.m. the program concludes with Ronald Knott presenting "Josiah, Martin, and Me."

Tuesday, October 31

The Village Adventist Church is located at 635 St. Joseph Avenue in Berrien Springs, Michigan. All events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday–Friday, November 1–3

The program committee welcomed scholarly proposals from all disciplines, time periods and locales—with the common thread relating to Martin Luther, Protestantism and/or the Reformation. Stephanie Carpenter, chair of the Department of History & Political Science and one of the conference organizers, hopes that the conference will “Bring greater awareness not just to Martin Luther but to those scholars who actively engage in research on Protestantism and its relevance to current issues in the world.”

The conference will include plenary presentations of the various submitted articles and roundtable discussion topics that foster audience involvement. Featured speakers include Charles P. Arand from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri; Eric Carlson from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota; David Onnekink, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Nick Miller, professor of church history at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary; Peter Marshall, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK; and David Trim, Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland. Peter Marshall will be the final keynote presenter. The title of his talk is “Belief and Identity in England’s Reformation.”

All attendees must register here. Attendance is free for current Andrews University faculty, staff and students. Plenary speakers and regular attendees pay $100, and non-Andrews University student attendees pay $60. Paying attendees receive a meal package for the length of the conference.

Email lutherconference@andrews.edufor additional information and a schedule for this conference.