Luther Decade 2008 – 2017
The Luther Decade describes the last 10 years to the Reformation Jubilee 2017. From 2008 to 2017 the facets of the Reformation will be described in various theme years.
2008 | Opening of the Luther Decade
2009 | Reformation and Confession
It was clear from the beginning: the Luther-Decade is also a Reformation-Decade. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, the Swiss Protestant reformer, the first annual theme focused attention on the Reformed churches of the Protestant community. The 75th anniversary of the ‘Barmen declaration’ was also commemorated in the context of the annual theme, ‘Reformation and confession’.
2010 | Reformation and Education
Philipp Melanchthon provided the focus of 2010. As a memorial year, it commemorates the 450th anniversary of his death. Luther’s collaborator excelled above all as a professor and educational reformer. His honorific title, ‘Praeceptor Germaniae’ (teacher of Germany), refers to his great importance for the German school system.
During the Melanchthon-year, we are therefore invited to examine the educational impulses initiated by the Reformation. The democratisation of education, the unity of faith and education, and the foundations of ‘Allgemeinbildung’ (holistic education) were the key ideas of his time. Melanchthon, a Humanist always interested in theological clarity and in dialogue, gave the Evangelical Church its Augsburg Confession. This text of 1530 and his ‘Loci communes’, a work of dogmatic theology, are considered an important part of Protestantism’s theological foundation.
2011 | Reformation and Freedom
Freedom – this word of desire has shaped Protestant Christianity from its very beginning. Reformation and Freedom are inextricably linked in word and Faith, in action and attitude. This becomes programmatic in Martin Luther’s essay “On the Freedom of a Christian”, written in 1520. In this core treatise of the Reformation, Luther defines the character of this freedom: “A Christian is the most free Lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one”
The righteous path under the guidance of God’s Word together with the solidarity and concern for fellow men are the two poles of freedom in the Reformation.
2012 | Reformation and Music
Music is a gift of the Holy Spirit, it dispels the devil and makes the people joyful. This is how Martin Luther describes the meaning of music for faith and soul. The “Nightingale of Wittenberg”, as Luther was called because of the many songs he had written, highly estimated the singing of the congregation as a “musical proclamation” of the Gospel and the new teachings.
The theme year “Reformation and Music” shall not only be a musical tribute to the eloquent poet and reformer Luther, but also a reminder of the rich treasure of Protestant church music.
2013 | Reformation and Tolerance
According to the opinion of the Reformers, faith and conscience are fundamentally free. However, Luther’s demand for non-violent arguments was not always fulfilled. And his own tolerance also had its limitations, which were far more narrow than those later established by the human rights and the constitution. The modern concepts of freedom of conscience and tolerance are nevertheless essentially attributable to the Reformation. The Luther Decade’s theme year of 2013 is therefore dedicated to the history, the present, and the future of Reformation and Tolerance.
Very consciously, the perspective will not be limited to history. Like many other religions and philosophies, the Christian faith is fundamentally neither tolerant or intolerant, but is in the process of being lived and shaped. In a pluralistic society, the Reformation’s story of learning continues until today – and will go on to develop into the future.
2014 | Reformation and Politics
From its very beginning, the Reformation has engaged in an active interplay with politics. State power and God’s reign, authority and maturity, obedience and freedom of conscience – both church and society continue to strive for the right balance of these standards and values. A glance at the past reveals countless facets of this balancing act, without offering final conclusions. The discussion continues, also – and especially – on the occasion of the Reformation anniversary.
2015 | Reformation – Visual Arts(Pictures) and Bible
On the occasion of the 500-year anniversary of the younger Cranach the art during the Reformation time will be focused in the Luther Decade. Which pictures represent religion today and how is it communicated by media, picture and language?
Was the Reformation, 500 years ago, a cross-media event? Was Luther really the first one to speak a “word of command”? Are images still as powerful as they used to be in the 16th century? You want to know all this? Then you have come to the right place!
During the theme year “Reformation – Image and Bible” your questions will be answered – as long as you visit museums, go to city festivals, participate in conferences, meet researchers, listen to experts, satiate your hunger for knowledge.
2016 | Reformation and One World
The Reformation spread from Wittenberg to the rest of the world. More than 400 million Protestants worldwide have spiritual links in their religious life with the events of the Reformation. On the eve of the Reformation’s anniversary our attention will be on the global power of its influence.
2017 | Reformation Jubilee
The anniversary year “500 Years of Reformation” will be celebrated worldwide with church and cultural events, conferences and large exhibitions: the climax of the Luther Decade, but not the end of our encounters with Luther’s life and works.
Martin Luther (1483 – 1546)
Martin Luther, the second son oft the miner Hans Luder, was born in Eisleben on 10 November 1483. He attended school in Mansfeld between 1488 and 1496, in Magdeburg in 1497 and St. George’s School in Eisenach from 1498 to 1501. He initially studied philosophy at Erfurt University between 1501 and 1505 and graduated as Magister atrium.
He then took up the law but broke off his studies when a close encounter with a thunderstorm prompted him to request admission to the monastery of the Augustinian hermits. Martin Luther was ordained as priest in Erfurt Cathedral on 4 April 1507 and began studying theology. After spending some time in Wittenberg during 1508, Luther answered his calling to the monastery of the Augustinian hermits in 1511 and remained in Wittenberg until the end of his life. In 1512 he received a doctorate of theology and became professor of Bible studies at Wittenberg University. On 31 October 1517 Luther published his 95 theses against the abuse of indulgences.
Martin Luther died on 18 February 1546 during a visit to Eisleben and was buried on 22 February 1546 in the Castle Church at Wittenberg.
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