The exhibition Martin Luther – The Reformer visualizes the fascinating and very human life of Martin Luther, learned theologian, powerfully eloquent preacher, teacher, and considerate family man. On display in our parish hallare more than one hundred books, manuscripts, illustrations, paintings, and documents. For security reasons the exhibition consists exclusively of high-quality facsimiles and copies. Among them are the first Bible printed by Gutenberg, the prayer book of Frederick the Wise illustrated by Albrecht Dürer, prints by Lukas Cranach, manuscripts by Luther, and a letter by his wife. Also included are paintings of the Reformer’s parents, a replica of his goblet, and paintings of his closest comrades-in-arms.
Special guests from Germany, Switzerland, and the United Sates will gather at Christ the King Lutheran Church in the parish hall on December 5 at 3:00 p.m. for the official opening of the exhibit. Dr. Stefan Rhein, Director of the Foundation for Luther Memorial Sites (Wittenberg, Germany), will be the guest speaker. The Ferrara Ensemble of Basel, Switzerland will provide period music. Consuls General Heiner Model (Germany) and Armin Meile (Switzerland) will be present. Welcoming the exhibit will be Bishop Paul Blom of the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (ELCA), and Pastor Donald Black, Vice-President of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
In 2000 Life Magazine ranked Martin Luther as number three among the 100 most influential people in the past millennium. Born in Eisleben in 1483, where he died in 1546, he attained world fame as the leading Reformer of the Christian Church while serving as a Professor at Wittenberg University. As a Reformer he helped renew Western Christianity. As an author he reached an audience far larger than anyone had before him. As a poet, writer, and translator he “reformed” the German language in ways that still can be felt today so that he can be considered the father of the modern German language. His life is inseparably connected with the Reformation, first in Germany, then across Europe, and ultimately on to America, Africa, and even Asia. It is rare that one individual gains such an influence on own his epoch, and even rarer that such effect can still be felt today.
Sunday Morning (December 5) will bring added highlights to the day. Professor Eric Gritsch will be our guest preacher. Dr. Gritsch is Professor Emeritus for Church History at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. The title of his sermon is Reborn Free. Professor Jonathan Zophy will teach the Adult Forum at 9:45 a.m. Dr. Zophy is professor of history at the University of Houston – Clear Lake. He is the author of nine books including A Short History of the Reformation, and with L. P. Buck The Social History of the Reformation.