Today’s guest post is by Dr. Jim West. Dr. West is adjunct professor of biblical studies at the Quartz Hill School of Theology and pastor of Petros Baptist Church in Petros, Tennessee. He has written a number of books and articles, and he serves as language editor for the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament and language revision editor for the Copenhagen International Seminar series.
“The Reformation” is a misnomer if ever there were one, for in fact there was no one Reformation any more than there was just one Reformer. “The Reformation,” when used by students and the general public, usually refers to the Reformation of Martin Luther, which commenced at the end of October in the year of our Lord, 1517.
Even then, though, Luther’s intent wasn’t as earth-shattering as later ages took it to be. For Luther, the placement of a series of theses in Latin on the church door at Wittenberg Castle was nothing more than an invitation to debate. In other words, Luther didn’t see his act as the commencement of a revolution; he saw it as an academic exercise.
“The Reformation” is, then, little more than a label derived from historical hindsight focusing on a series of events over a period of time across a wide geographical landscape. Each Reformer had roots sunk in fertile ground, and their work was simply the coming to fruition of generations of shift in the Roman Catholic Church.
Hence, it would be more appropriate to speak of “Reformations” in the same way that we now speak of “Judaisms” and “Christianities.” The Reformation was no monolith.
Who, then, were the Reformers who gave birth to the Reformations most closely associated with them? They were Huldrych Zwingli, Martin Luther, and John Calvin, in just that order.
Each of these Reformers was the father of his own Reformation. Each was, originally, independent of the others, and in many ways they tried very hard to retain that independence even when their common foe, the Church of Rome, was the target. Each contributed to the Reformation in his own unique way.
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The Reformation Day Sale
In preparation for Reformation Day, we’ve discounted several Reformation resources. Get Luther’s influential 95 Theses free, and save up to 40% on other Reformation titles, from now until 11:59 p.m. (PDT) October 31, 2012. Learn more about the principles and people of the Reformation by picking up these discounted titles:
Retail: $4.95 Regularly: $0.95
FREE with coupon code REFDAY
Nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Church in October 1517 to provoke discussion, this is one of the most significant documents in Christian history. Many believe this particular document to be the spark that gave birth to the Protestant Reformation. The Logos edition provides the 95 Theses in parallel English and Latin translations.
Regularly: $259.00
Only $229.00 with coupon code REFDAY1
This massive collection contains Luther’s exposition and commentary on Scripture, as well as his sermons, theological writings, and other materials. The final volume in the set contains an index of quotations, proper names,
Regularly: $139.95
Only $89.95 with coupon code REFDAY2
Not only did History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin become a bestselling and widely praised account of the Reformation—it remains one of the most compelling and influential Reformation histories more than a century after its original publication.
Retail: $220 Regularly: $99.95
Only $59.95 with coupon code REFDAY3
The collection opens with an explanation of Bullinger’s works. Bullinger then covers the Four General Synods, or Councils, and explains the historical significance of the various creeds that came from these councils. His sermons follow—messages that spurred and shaped the Reformation and that still impact today’s church.
Retail: $249.95 Regularly: $99.95
Only $84.95 with coupon code REFDAY4
This is the standard edition of Knox’s texts. Knox, a Scottish clergyman and a leader of the Protestant Reformation, was a pivotal figure in the creation and organization of the National Reformed Church in Scotland.
All these discounts end at 11:59 p.m. (PDT) on Wednesday, October 31, so pick up yours now!
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Today’s post is from Morris Proctor, certified and authorized trainer for Logos Bible Software. Morris, who has trained thousands of Logos users at his two-day Camp Logos seminars, provides many training materials.
Pastor Appreciation Month Roundup: Oct. 13
To celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month, we’re revealing a new sale item every weekday through October 26. If you’ve been watching the Pastor Appreciation Month page, you’ve seen the deals released so far. But if you’ve missed them, here are the live specials for the second week:
Retail:
$365.87Regularly:$249.95Only $179.95 with coupon code PAM06
The 15-volume A. T. Robertson Collection contains the grammars, commentaries, lectures, and sermons of one of America’s foremost Baptist scholars. A founding member of the Baptist World Alliance, a Greek scholar, and prolific preacher, A. T. Robertson devoted his entire career to equipping others for ministry.
Retail:
$123.00Regularly:$99.95Only $74.95 with coupon code PAM07
The Tyndale Theological Studies Collection brings together five diverse works from Tyndale Seminary Press. From collected essays on dispensationalism to a discussion of important pastoral topics, these resources are informative, highly practical, and theologically rich.
Retail:
$150.00Only $100.00 with coupon code PAM08
Logos Bible Software 4 is packed with dynamic and innovative tools for Bible study. Morris Proctor’s Deluxe Printed Training Bundle will help you get the most out of your software. In this bundle you’ll get volumes one and two of the Logos 4 Bible Software Training Manuals, plus Inductive Bible Study with Logos Bible Software, the I-BEAM of Message Building Training Manual, the Logos QuickCard Set, and the Logos 4 Keyboard Shortcuts Mousepad.
Retail:
$201.65Regularly:$69.95Only $54.95 with coupon code PAM09
Zwingli preached against ecclesial corruption, fasting, the requirement of celibacy for the clergy, the veneration of saints, excommunication, and more, setting the stage for the Swiss Reformation. The Works of Zwingli (7 vols.), which assembles some of Zwingli’s most important works translated into English and includes historical works about his life and legacy.
Retail:
$284.80Regularly:$119.95Only $79.95 with coupon code PAM10
The Contemporary Theology Collection brings the eternal truth of God to bear upon the contemporary considerations of the modern intellectual condition. In six volumes, the collection examines the ontology of God, the Trinitarian nature of atonement, forgiveness and truth in the modern world, and much more. Each volume is marked by rigorous academic inquiry and timely appraisal of the issues.
Keep watching the Pastor Appreciation Month sale page for new deals. All coupon codes expire October 31!