July 13, 2017
Devotions: Timeline of the Reformation: Geneva Bible 1560

The Geneva Bible was the “Bible of the Protestant Reformation”, and it was the first Bible taken to America, brought over on the Mayflower. It is said that the Geneva Bible is the Bible upon which America was founded – it was preferred by Anglicans fleeing religious oppression and who did not want anything to do with the King James Bible of the Anglican Church.

Textually, the Geneva Bible offered a number of radical never-before-seen changes: It was the first Bible in English to add numbered verses to each chapter of scripture. Also, the Geneva was the first Bible to introduce easier-to-read “Roman Style Typeface” rather than the “Gothic Blackletter Style Typeface” which had been used exclusively in earlier Bibles. Another curious innovation; the Geneva was the first “Study Bible ” with extensive commentary notes in the margins.

The Geneva Bible is the version quoted from hundreds of times by William Shakespeare in his plays. Also called the “Breeches Bible”, the Geneva Bible is the only Bible ever able to outsell and exceed the popularity of the King James Bible, as it did in the early 1600’s until its printing ceased in 1644. Many Protestants have never even heard of the Geneva Bible – the early best known bible of the Americas. It was produced by John Calvin, John Knox, Myles Coverdale, John Foxe, & other English refugees in ever-neutral Geneva, Switzerland… fleeing the persecution of Roman Catholic Church. Another interesting comment in the Geneva Bible proclaims the Pope an “antichrist” in its commentary notes. (adapted from “geneva-bible.com, The History of the Geneva Bible”)

The beauty of living in 21st century America is that we have many, many, many different translations and study bibles to choose from for our own bible study. One thing you should know is that it is OK to write in your bible – to underline, to highlight, and to make notes. It helps when you want to cross-reference a text or a person.

Pastor Dave

Please collect bottles of shampoo and packages of deodorant for Trinity’s Table.

July 12, 2017
Devotions: Timeline of the Reformation: Peace of Augsburg 1555

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The wars and infighting had continued for many years – following events such as Luther’s excommunication in 1521 following the Diet of Worms and the Peasant’s War in 1525 – the tensions had been growing between the Protestants and the Catholics, and the Reformer’s were fracturing as well. Finally, in 1555, Charles V established a ruling called the Peace of Augsburg allowing each Prince of their state province to select either Lutheranism or Catholicism as the religion of their domain and permitted free emigration of residents who dissented. This legislation officially ended the conflict between the Lutherans and the Catholics – but it made no provision for other Protestant denominations. Charles V had initially established the Augsburg Interim in 1548 because of the religious strife – but the interim was overthrown by Maurice, the Elector of Saxony. The title of Elector carried great prestige and was considered to be second only to that of the King or Emperor. (wikipedia) Therefore, the support of an Elector such as Maurice was important. In negotiations that followed, the Peace of Passau was signed in 1552, and both the Catholics and the Lutherans were calling for a lasting peace. The Diet of Augsburg opened on February 5, 1555. Although the assembly was proclaimed by Charles V, he did not wish to take part. Instead, he empowered his brother Ferdinand to settle all questions. The Diet determined that no prince in the empire should make war against another on religious grounds and that this peace should remain operative until the churches were peacefully reunited. Only two churches were recognized, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutherans—and only one church was to be recognized in each territory. Although the religion of the prince’s choice was thus made obligatory, those who adhered to the other church could sell their property and migrate to a territory where that denomination was recognized. (Adapted from “britannica.com, Peace of Augsburg”)

Notice that only one church was to be recognized in each Prince’s territory – one Catholic and one Lutheran. Imagine if we only had one Lutheran church to attend in each county – or in each town – or in each township. In years past, where there was one Lutheran church, when someone or a group of someone’s became disgruntled, they simply migrated down the street and built another Lutheran, or Methodist, or Presbyterian church. We have hurt our unity by our inability to work out our differences. So we need to work even harder to be united as Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians when it comes to our denominational and interdenominational unity. All things are possible through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave

Please collect bottles of shampoo and packages of deodorant for Trinity’s Table.