Reformation Day 500, Tuesday, October 31st, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Kevin Swanson
Commemorating 500 Years of Reformation
Five hundred years ago today, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the Wittenberg Chapel door in Germany, lighting a reformation fire that would impact the whole world. There are 900 million Protestants in the world, making up about 40% of the population of persons who call themselves Christian.
Ray Van Neste, Professor of Biblical Studies at Union University, calls the Reformation the greatest revival since the first Pentecost.
“Typically, in most of our church settings, people know about revival, and that’s a category for us, but church history? Not so much. Reformation? Not so much. But I wanted them to see that — you know, when I go into certain places and mention the reformation, sometimes people think, ‘oh, okay, so now we’re into something technical, dry, and abstract,’ and I wanted them to realize, no, no, no; what’s going on in the reformation: the Gospel is recovered, and it’s preached in new power, leading to people getting saved and the Bible going out to more people, in really unprecedented ways, and therefore people growing in their faith, and a lot of other things going on around then, and there are some negative things that people do, but what is a revival? Well, it’s a renewal of the church, and a great influx of new believers; that’s exactly what happened. And, I think, in the most dramatic way that we’ve seen in history, after Pentecost.”
Praise God for the advancement of His kingdom by these mighty revivals and reformations!
Halloween Celebration in America Bigger Than Ever
The ancient celebration of the Day of the Dead is bigger than ever in America. This year the National Retail Federation is expecting $9.1 billion in sales for decor, costumes, and candy. That’s up almost 10% from the $8.4 billion spent last year.
Even the outside of the White House is covered with bats, large spiders, and cobwebs.
But we are encouraged, “that through death [Christ] might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:15)
Muslim Fulani Herdsmen Murder 48 Christians in Nigeria Last Week
Forty-eight Christians were killed in Central Nigeria by Muslim Fulani herdsmen last week according to Morning Star News. And another 25 civilians were killed in a separate Islamic attack on a hotel in Somalia Saturday night.
Two Pastors in Myanmar Sentenced to Prison on False Charges
Two Baptist pastors in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, from the Shan state were sentenced to several years in prison under false charges.
Human Rights Watch is calling for their immediate release.
Consumer Spending and Household Debt Continue to Climb
Americans are spending more money this year, according to a Reuters report.
Consumer spending is at its highest level since 2009, and the savings rate is the lowest it has been since 2008. But wages are not growing so fast. And the Federal Reserve Bank of New York puts national household debt at $12.84 trillion, just above the last high of $12.70 trillion set just before the 2008 recession.
Plus, credit card delinquencies are on the rise.
Jerry Falwell, Jr. Wants “Fake Republicans” Voted Out
Jerry Falwell, Jr. wants Christians to stop voting for what he calls “fake Republicans” in his interview with Breitbart.
He’s calling for Christian voters to replace liberal Republican senators like John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell in the 2018 election.
Federal Judge Blocks Transgender Military Ban
Men who pretend to be women are still welcome in the military, after a federal judge blocked President Trump’s attempted ban.
Judge Roy Moore Says Obergefell Ruling Was Worse than Dred Scott
Alabama Judge Roy Moore, who is running for the U.S. Senate in a special December election to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is standing by his comments that the Supreme Court’s homosexual decision was worse than the Dred Scott decision of 1857.
Moore told WorldNetDaily.com “It was worse than the pro-slavery ruling because the pro-slavery ruling didn’t mandate acceptance to it – people were free to contest it. In this case, if you don’t perform weddings, if you don’t make cakes, then you can lose your job, lose your business. Therefore, it’s worse because they are taking away religious liberty.”
Actor Kevin Spacey Accused of Homosexual Crimes
More of Hollywood’s elite are caught up in scandals involving sexual sin. Now, actor Kevin Spacey is being accused of homosexual crimes by multiple alleged victims.
Proverbs 23:19-20 says, “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked. For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.”
UK University Student Expelled for Beliefs on Sexuality
A UK university student who was expelled for his perspective on the sin of homosexuality lost his appeal in a high court last week.
Felix Ngole had posted some encouraging words for Kim Davis, the Kentucky Christian clerk who opposed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision which affirmed the sin of homosexuality in 2015.
For his opinion, he was removed from the rolls of the University of Sheffield. The court decision affirmed his right to have an opinion, but condemned his willingness to share his opinion online, and thereby offend somebody.
Closing Line
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, October 31st in the year of our Lord 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldView.com. I’m Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
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Paul Manafort Pleads Not Guilty of Conspiracy and Money Laundering
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and another associate Rick Gates have pled not guilty on Monday after being indicted on 12 counts of conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money and other charges by a federal grand jury.
The indictment specified that Manafort had laundered $18 million to buy property, goods, and services in the U.S., according to a Fox News report.