A Review of Reformation Resources: Some Movies

by Doug Smith 490 years ago this month, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany (October 31, 1517). The purpose of this series of posts is to point you to resources about the Protestant Reformation. We have considered books, music, and websites. This final post mentions a few movies.

Movies

• The recent MGM Film, Luther (2003), is an exciting, fast-paced production. It is well done, but the movie unfortunately omits the key doctrine of justification by faith alone. This could be a helpful resource if used in conjunction with other tools so that the doctrine at the heart of the Reformation is not ignored. Some violent scenes in this PG-13 movie may be inappropriate for young children. 2 hours, 4 minutes.

• Martin Luther (1955) (click here for a deluxe edition, or here for a bargain) is a classic film that explores Luther's doctrinal issues with more depth than the 2003 MGM treatment. It may seem a bit dated, but it is a good treatment of Luther that sets his life in its historical context. 1 hour, 45 minutes.

• Martin Luther (2002) is a PBS Empires documentary with interviews with scholars and some dramatized scenes from Luther's life. 1 hour, 50 minutes.

• In Where Luther Walked, author Roland Bainton gives viewers a historic tour of important sites. 30 minutes.

To order these films, check out www.Christianbook.com or www.amazon.com.

A Review of Reformation Resources: Some Websites

by Doug Smith

490 years ago this month, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany (October 31, 1517). The purpose of this series of posts is to point you to resources about the Protestant Reformation.

We have considered books and music. Today we will look at the resources available on websites. I have deliberately posted the whole URL instead of a link in case someone finds it useful to print this information. An upcoming (and final) post in this series will list movies.

Websites

• Documents of the Protestant Reformation (includes pictures) http://www.mun.ca/rels/hrollman/reform/reform.html
• Graphics:
• Martin Luther: Portraits and Scenes from His Life <http://www.elca.org/archives/luther/lutherimages.html
• The Luther Rose (Martin Luther's seal), including a black and white version perfect for coloring http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2558
• Monergism.com is a veritable clearinghouse of resources. Note particularly:
• The Doctrine of Justification http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Justification/
• The Five Solas of the Reformation http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Five-Solas/
• John Calvin http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Calvin-John/
• Martin Luther http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Luther-Martin/
• Monk and a Mallet (named after the book) includes pictures and other resources http://www.monkandamallet.com/index2.html
• Critiques of the New Perspective on Paul (a compilation of resources by Tim Ashcraft) - resources on a movement that undermines the Reformation's recovery of the biblical Gospel http://www.theosource.com/2007/10/critiques-of-new-perspective-on-paul.html
• Project Wittenberg - Selected Works of Martin Luther (including hymns) http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-luther.html
• Reformation Day celebration resources
• http://www.teacherhelp.org/holidays.htm#reformation
• http://www.reformationsa.org/articles/CelebrateReformation.htm (including a good collection of biographical/historical articles)
• http://www.lovetolearnplace.com/SpecialDays/Reformation/index.html
• http://www.theholidayzone.com/reformation/?gclid=CI-i4NaChY8CFQsaHgoddT1mtw
• a member of Clifton Baptist in Louisville, Kentucky describes what her church does for Reformation Day: http://gret-reads-247.blogspot.com/2007/10/reformation-party.html
• Reformation Day .mp3 sermons
• http://psalm305.blogspot.com/2007/10/reformation-day-mp3-sermons.html
• Reformation Day Symposium at www.challies.com
• 2006: http://www.challies.com/archives/articles/reformation-day-1.php
• 2007: http://www.challies.com/archives/articles/reformed-theology/reformation-day-symposium.php
• Reformer biographies by John Piper from the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors (access to text and free audio .mp3 files - some have video excerpts as well):
• "Always Singing One Note - A Vernacular Bible: Why William Tyndale Lived and Died" (2006) http://www.desiringGod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1840_Always_Singing_One_NoteA_Vernacular_Bible/
• "The Divine Majesty of the Word - John Calvin: the Man and His Preaching" (1997) http://www.desiringGod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1471_The_Divine_Majesty_of_the_Word/
• "Martin Luther: Lessons from His Life and Labor" (1996) http://www.desiringGod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1470_Martin_Luther_Lessons_from_His_Life_and_Labor/
• Seminary lectures
• Dr. David Calhoun - .mp3 lectures and study guides on Reformation History (Covenant Theological Seminary) http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/en/CH320/CH320.asp
• Dr. Gordon Isaac - .mp3 lectures on Martin Luther (free registration required) from BiblicalTraining.org (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) http://www.biblicaltraining.org/class.php?class=CH643

Also, I have created a booklet (print out the Word .doc using the 2 page per sheet option under zoom in the print dialog box; if this doesn't work, email me for a copy of it in the format of a 1 page front/back booklet, and ask for the Reformation booklet). There is a copy of the battle hymn of the Reformation, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," a sheet with Scripture references for the 5 solas, and a coloring page for the Luther rose.

• Reformation Celebration Activity Booklet
• Word document http://smithministry.50webs.com/ReformationCelebrationBooklet.doc
• .Pdf file http://smithministry.50webs.com/ReformationDayCelebrationBooklet.pdf

A Review of Reformation Resources: Some Music

by Doug Smith

490 years ago this month, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenburg, Germany (October 31, 1517). The purpose of this series of posts is to point you to resources about the Protestant Reformation.

When it comes to learning about the Reformation and enjoying its history and influence, there are many tools available for a variety of ages. This is a review of some of the more helpful items I have found or have had recommended to me by trusted sources. If you want to build your personal library, or that of your church, school, or college, this list of resources would be a good place to start.

Yesterday, we considered some books. Today, we will look at music. Future posts will cover websites and movies.

“Music is a gift and largesse of God, not a gift of men. It drives away the devil and makes people happy; it induces one to forget all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and all other vices. After theology, I accord to music the highest place and the greatest honor.”

"How strange and wonderful it is that one voice sings a simple unpretentious tune while three, four, or five other voices are also sung; these voices play and sway in joyful exuberance around the tune...He must be a course clod and not worthy of hearing such charming music, who does not delight in this, and is not moved by such a marvel. He should rather listen to the donkey braying of the [Gregorian] chorale, or the barking of dogs and pigs, than to such music."

– Martin Luther

“Luther has done more harm by his songs than by his sermons.”

– Luther’s enemies

• Martin Luther: Hymns, Ballads, Chants, Truth (4 CD set – 39 tracks, 3 hours of music) from Concordia Publishing House <www.cph.org> contains beautiful vocal and instrumental music reflecting the style of Luther’s time. The collection has 39 tracks and is about 3 hours long. Two recordings of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” form bookends to this recording. Both renditions maintain the original syncopated rhythm of Luther’s most famous hymn. The first version is a solo in German, and the second has a choir singing in English. (The other 37 tracks are in English as well.) Other highlights include “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come,” a Christmas carol by Luther; “A New Song Now Shall Be Begun,” Luther’s first hymn which is also a ballad about the first martyrs of the Reformation; “In the Very Midst of Life”; and “Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands.”

These recordings inspired this Baptist to get out his old Lutheran Hymnal (the most likely source if you want to find the music for most of Luther’s hymns) and penny whistle and enjoy these tunes and the meaty doctrine to which they are wed.

• Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott: Musik der Reformation is a 2 CD set of music by Luther, Johann Walter, and Thomas Müntzer. This 32-song collection features beautiful choral music in German.

• Felix Mendelssohn includes the tune for “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” in his 1830 Reformation Symphony (No. 5 in D Minor, op. 107) to commemorate the tercentenary of the Augsburg Confession. (Also, Johann Sebastian Bach used many of Luther’s hymns and other Reformation hymns in his church music.)

• The Cyberhymnal <www.cyberhymnal.org> has a good selection of Luther hymns (you can listen to midi files with the text in front of you).

• Lutheran Hymnals and music for purchase <http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/>

• A checklist of Lutheran hymnals in America <http://www.elca.org/archives/hymnals/hymnals.html>

Some books about Reformation music:

• Douglas Bond, Mr. Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation (Arlington Heights, IL: Christian Liberty Press, 2000), 240pp. This book provides a tour of Reformation sites and song via historical fiction. I read excerpts to 4th-6th graders one year. It is an encouraging read and gives some good insight into the hymns and their writers. When I visited Capitol Hill Baptist last year, they had just finished going through this with the children on Sunday nights (with related activities).
• Paul S. Jones, "Luther and Bar Song: the Truth, Please!", pages 171-178 in Singing and Making Music: Issues in Church Music Today (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2006), 315pp. Jones dispelled the tired, oft-repeated myth that Luther simply baptized tune from the pub for worship music.
• Paul S. Jones, "Hymnody in a Post-Hymnody World," pages 222-256 in Ryken, Thomas, & Duncan, ed., Give Praise to God (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2003), 516pp. This chapter has good thoughts about the need for utilizing and crafting hymns in our day.

A Review of Reformation Resources: Some Books

by Doug Smith

490 years ago this month, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenburg, Germany (October 31, 1517). The purpose of this series of posts is to point you to resources about the Protestant Reformation. When it comes to learning about the Reformation and enjoying its history and influence, there are many tools available for a variety of ages. This is a review of some of the more helpful items I have found or have had recommended to me by trusted sources. If you want to build your personal library, or that of your church, school, or college, this list of resources would be a good place to start. Today, we will look at books. Future posts will cover music, websites, and movies.

Books

For children

• Paul L. Maier, Martin Luther: a Man Who Changed the World (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2004), 32pp.

Greg Copeland's beautiful art accompanies a fascinating account of Luther's life and work. Thankfully, the Gospel is central to this book, evidenced by the focus on Luther's discovery in the Bible of justification by faith alone. The author wants us to understand that a right standing with God comes only through trusting Jesus Christ, who has done all the work necessary for our justification. The book explains that the righteousness of God is a gift to those who believe in the Savior who died and rose again for them. I have found children captivated by this story as I have read it to them. The book is directed toward upper elementary children, but teachers and parents may find ways to adapt their reading of it to younger ages. For teenagers

• Jean Henri Merle d'Aubigné, The Triumph of Truth: a Life of Martin Luther (Greenville, SC: Bob Jones University Press, 1996), 427pp.

Mark Sidwell produced this abridgement of Merle d'Aubigné's five volumes of The History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century. This single volume detailing the life of Luther is intended for ages 15 and up. Short chapters, vivid writing, and helpful analysis make this a good book to work through.

For ladies, gentlemen, and scholars

• Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: a Life of Martin Luther (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1950), 336pp.

Generally regarded as the standard biography of Luther for English readers, this classic work contains a helpful chronology of Luther's life and many interesting woodcut illustrations from the 16^th century. It is a delightful and sympathetic treatment of Luther.

• Christopher Catherwood, Five Leading Reformers: Lives at a Watershed of History (Christian Focus, 2000), 208pp.

This is a brief overview of the lives of Martin Luther, Thomas Cranmer, John Calvin, John Knox, and Huldrych Zwingli. My wife found this to be an easy read and a good beginning introduction.

• David Daniell, William Tyndale: a Biography (New Haven, CT: Yale, 1994), 458pp.

A thorough biography of the 16th century English theologian and Bible translator, this book is a bit tedious in its attempt to recreate the possible historical backdrop, but is an indispensable resource for studying this important servant of God.

• John Dillenberger, ed., Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings (Garden City, NY: Anchor Books, 1961), 526pp.

In this collection, you can read for yourself portions of Luther's books, commentaries, articles, and sermons, including his prefaces to different New Testament books, The Bondage of the Will, and The Ninety-Five Theses.

• Timothy George, Theology of the Reformers (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1988), 337pp.

In this scholarly work, Timothy George examines the theology of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, and Menno Simons in the historical context of the Reformation. The book contains a chapter on the abiding validity of reformation theology and a helpful glossary.

• Harold J. Grimm, The Reformation Era: 1500-1650 (New York: Macmillan, 1954), 675pp.

Grimm provides a full-length treatment of Protestantism and Roman Catholicism in the Reformation era, including social and political effects of the conflicts.

• Steven Lawson, The Expository Genius of John Calvin (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2007), 142pp.

Lawson analyzes the philosophy and practice of the preaching ministry of John Calvin, issuing a call for more ministers who are diligent in their studies and proclamation, beginning with applying the truth to their own lives. (I have reviewed this book here.)

• Timothy Lull, ed., Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2005), 755pp.

Dr. Robert Plummer, who teaches hermeneutics at Southern Seminary, pointed out this resource. It would be good to acquire because of its inclusion of Luther's hermeneutical method based on Psalm 119: oratio, meditation, and tentatio. In other words, the Holy Spirit uses prayer, meditation, and trials to help believers understand the Word of God and grow in conformity to the Son of God.

• Stephen J. Nichols, Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2002), 240pp.

This may be the best short introduction to Martin Luther. Each chapter contains a helpful bibliography for deeper study of particular areas of Luther's life and thought.

• Stephen J. Nichols, The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2007), 160 pp.

Some have found this to be a helpful introduction to the Reformation.

• T. H. L. Parker, John Calvin: a Biography (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2007), 224 pp.

According to Dr. Albert Mohler, this is the best biography on Calvin. It was out of print when he mentioned it on his April radio program, but it looks like it's back.

• John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2000), 160pp. (Click here to read or download it for free.)

This book is part of a series compiling biographical messages given at the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors. Piper models well the discipline of reading biography for the purpose of growth in godliness.

• Dietrich Steinwede, Reformation: a Picture Story of Martin Luther (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1983), 56pp.

This book tells Luther's story using reproductions of woodcuts, paintings, and documents of the Reformation.

• Roland H. Bainton, The Reformation of the Sixteenth Century (Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1956), 278pp.

This book gives an overview of the thought and impact of various wings of the Reformation.

Find these books at www.wtsbooks.com, www.christianbook.com, www.cvbbs.com , and www.addall.com.