Reformation is the word that describes the spirit of my Lutheran faith tradition. For me, reformation theology speaks of freedom and equality. I think of Martin Luther and Argula von Grumbach, two reformers who were concerned about the urgent issues of their day. They fought for freedom: freedom of conscience, freedom from injustice, freedom from human-made oppressions and freedom to read the Scriptures anew for new times.
I am inspired by the examples of Luther and other faith fathers and mothers who dared to say “stop, wait a minute,” when they witnessed injustice and human suffering. They critiqued their church’s failure to intervene and their church’s oppressive practices and teachings.
To me the Reformation is an ongoing invitation to engage with the Gospel message and with new questions and partners, while keenly paying attention to what is going on in this world of ours, not being afraid to react and act.
This message by Kirsi Stjerna is an excerpt from a Voices column in the March 2017 issue of Gather magazine.
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