What is the legacy of the Reformation for Europe in the 21st century? For Raafat Kamal, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division, his answer is simple: it is a legacy that must not end.
Together with mainly Lutheran theologians, pastors, MEPs (Members of the European Parliament), and church historians, Kamal was invited to present at the European Parliament Celebratory event on Tuesday, October 17, at the Parliament building in Brussels, Belgium.
Organized by MEP Hannu Takkula, Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Freedom of Religion and Belief, the aim of the day was to explore lessons from the Reformation that can positively shape a future Europe.
From the start, there was a strong emphasis on “grace,” a concept that, according to Bishop Simo Peura of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland, “opens the prophetical role of the community.” He noted Luther’s example in Wittenberg of a “common purse for the poor,” and his strong work ethic which was for the well-being of the whole community.
Dutch MEP Peter van Dalen equally focused on the importance of grace, noting that it was closely linked to “doing justice” (Psalm 37). He stated that it is “essential for us as politicians to seek justice and prevent injustice.” He emphasized that “good government will seek the well-being of our neighbor,” adding, “Gracious politics is directed to ‘the other,’ the neighbor, the environment.”
The translation of the Bible into national languages was seen as significant by several speakers. The key, according to Hungarian Theologian and Historian, Dezsö Buzogάny, was that it put the Bible on the table of every family. It also helped establish the language and so, equally, led to national identity. The emphasis on reading Scripture led to education – even for girls! This transformed Europe. He strongly stated that school, social service, and mission are still the key for today.
Speakers noted that many reformation issues were still highly significant today. “Tolerance is still a big issue” said MEP Arne Lietz. Orthodox priest, Father Heikki Huttunen observed, that different Christian traditions can come together on “the relevant, not the routine.” By this he meant that different approaches from a variety of backgrounds can lead to better understanding in areas of witness, justice and hospitality. “Migration is an issue, not just for those coming into Europe, but also those moving internally,” he explained. He stressed the need for safe entry into Europe to reduce human trafficking and criminal exploitation. “The church needs to bring this discussion to the table,” he stated.
Kamal was one of the last speakers who led the attentive audience back to the concept of grace, expounding on the Old Testament principle in Micah 6:8, to “do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Martin Luther, with his transformed conscience, held fast to this concept, which has since inspired generations of believers and non-religious people alike. During Luther’s speech at his trial at the Diet of Worms he reinforced a message for today: ‘Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason, my conscience is captive to the Word of God.’”
“To embrace religious freedom is to champion and integrate the dignity of human beings in our laws, culture and way of life,” Kamal said. “It is to adopt a personal attitude of tolerance, whereby tolerance is an expression of solidarity with every member of the human family. It translates into respect for every human being, after all, we are created in God’s image and this can only be genuine when other peoples’ rights are respected.”
However, for Kamal, this goes hand-in-hand with mission. Before highlighting some of the mission aspects of the church he leads, he emphasized, “Most people know that Jesus came to bring forgiveness and grace – these are hallmarks of the Reformation. Less well known is the biblical teaching that a true experience of the grace of Jesus Christ inevitably motivates persons, communities and nations to see and apply biblical justice and mercy in this world.”
Martin Luther might have been surprised if he had found himself sitting in the parliament building. Two speakers, both from a Catholic background, spoke highly of his contribution to the development of Europe. Mairead McGuinnes, First Vice-President of the European Parliament has developed a great deal of understanding and tolerance for those who think in different ways to the way she was brought up. “Even my mother,” she confessed, “thought she could talk straight to Jesus and didn’t need to go through an intermediary.” She then reiterated the same point Kamal had been stressing, “The church must keep reforming.” Even though Christianity is not as influential as it used to be in secular Europe, she emphasized that the Church plays in important part in our society.
Perhaps not a surprise in the seat of European legislation, the final speaker was a lawyer — and also a theologian. Katrin Hatzinger acknowledged Luther’s mistakes in his treatment of the Anabaptists and Sabbatarians (among others), yet through those mistakes she saw the basis of learning for current dialogue. She sees the church as a “critical counterpart” in legislative dialogue and also a great provider of expertise in, for instance, areas such as handling asylum seekers and refugees. On a religious liberty note she stated that, “We want differences of churches to be recognized by the EU.”
Looking back at the day, Kamal reflected that, “the unending reformation, the implication for today, based on the Word of God; I saw this today, in the presentations that were shared.”
WATCH a short video clip of President Kamal’s address to European Parliament:
Or, read his full speech here.
This article was written by tedNEWs editor Victor Hulbert, and was originally published on the Trans-European Division News Network website.
Image Credit: www.ted.adventist.org
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