A few days ago I walked along the wall that divides Berlin and symbolizes the split in the Western world. Luther’s Saxony, heartland of the Reformation, now lies in the lap of Communist overlords.
One of the paradoxes of this generation is that alongside a revival of Luther-research and of Calvin-research, ecclesiastical leaders too seem to be sealing off the modern world from the Protestant Reformation. In fact, some unity-questing churchmen have virtually narrowed the image of the Reformation to an ill-advised division in the ranks of Christendom. The great blessings of the Reformation to its generation and to ours seem all but forgotten. A fresh glimpse of this heritage will surprise many readers.
So vast a benefit has come to the Western world through the Reformation that, at a time when many non-evangelical Christians seem to have forgotten it, the Pope who is now calling so ardently for renewal in the Church would serve both Protestants and Catholics well were he to commend the faith and initiative of the Reformers.
