Continuing with the need for examples I touched on yesterday, I came up with a good social one in the Reformation, as that took place in Europe around 1500AD, with Luther being the main proponent as events unfolded.
This Reformation had many causes, some being religious, while others were of state craft. Luther was the German monk, Doctor in Theology, who articulated the religious issues and could not be silenced, having the political protection that he did.
The issue throughout Europe that caused much resentment at the time, was the sale of ‘indulgences’, by an army of monks led by Tetzel in Germany. The Dutch name for these indulgence papers was ‘off-load’. You off-loaded your sins or your dead parents’ sins by means of buying such an off-load certificate. You could by a now dead, but sinning uncle into heaven releasing him from the ‘faux fire’ of purgatory, if you paid enough for that particular off-load certificate. The whole thing became a farce when people were able to buy of-loads for future sins! Why was Rome engaging in this process? The Pope needed the money for the half finished Saint Peter Basilica and other fancies.
Why would this be an example for our case reformulation of beliefs and there conflicts? Rome had taught over the ages that you went to heaven through your good works and deeds. This sales campaign of indulgences belied this teaching, while politically the local rulers saw all that local money go south without any benefits to speak of. So, there was much cause for resentment.
Added to this was the new teaching by Luther that forgiveness of sins was a matter of grace on God’s part. ‘Through Grace alone’ was the teaching that Luther preached; works were of the devil and the letter of James was ‘straw epistle’ said Luther. James' letter, needless to say, emphasizes the importance of works!
Now comes the interesting part. The running argument between the Church of Rome and the Churches of the Reformation was one over the true character of their teachings. Were Christian required to belief for his/her salvation that is was through his/her works or through God’s grace?
The geographical lines between these two camps were more or less Rome for the Latin world, while the Northern people of Germanic the culture embraced the Reformation. These lines of are still there today, as well as are some of the contrasts. In the recent European financial crisis we observe that the Mediterranean countries are in need of financial support from the hard working Northern ones.
How does this all relate to our earlier notion of revelation? These take place according to time, place, people and circumstance. The most suited revelation for the southern culture was and is the teachings of works, while the Northern hard working economies are in need of teachings about grace.
The revealed truths, as taught by Rome and the Reformation supplement the people and circumstances at the time. Do we have to fight about who has the true revealed teachings? Not really, we just need to recognise that revelations, insights and discoveries are dependent on the four factors of time, place, people and circumstance and this outcome should be respected as such. Then, talking about mutual accommodation becomes possible, opening up the way to a mutual beneficial exchange.
Two more points for my talk: ethics from the traditions need to guide us in the integration process and diversity can appear threatening as well as attractive to different groups.
This dual aspect of diversity must be taken into account when analysing the various reactions within society when changes appear on the horizon. Too much diversity leads to disorder and that is where danger lurks, whereas a lack of diversity stifles development and adaptation.
<10:46am~
