Happy Halloween...Luther Style

There are many, many reasons which contributed to my decision to study in Germany for this year. Perhaps the first inspiration was sitting through a year of Christian Thought lectures, and hearing the history of the formation of the church from it's earliest stages until today. I developed the desire to see these places that I had been learning about. I am captivated by the institution of the Church, its divisions, its reconciling abilities, its place in our neighborhoods, states, and world. We have a colorful history in the church, and I am doing my best to understand it so that I can better understand who and what we are as a church today. It is more than exciting when there are opportunities to visit the very sights that have had profound impacts on our history in the church.



My Halloween was celebrated Reformation Style traveling to Wittenberg, home of the Wittenberg door, which is where Luther allegedly posted his 99 Thesis on this day, 1517. In honor of this day, the town of Wittenberg hosts a Reformation Fest, which is the best Renaissance festival I have ever been to! Unfortunately due to train complications we missed the worship service and the lectures of interest. We, however, did not miss out on getting to spend the day with 20,000 other Luther enthusiasts.



Luther's Oak- planted on the sight where Luther burned the Papal Bull of Excommunication.

Luther's House turned museum. This was both our first and last stop of the day. I was incredibly impressed at how well done the museum was and certainly didn't have enough time to enjoy all its treasures. It was here that I discovered that if you want to run in to everyone that you know in Germany, go to the Luther Fest in Wittenberg and you'll be bound to find them. My fellow travelers (also exchange students) ran into people they knew 3 times during the day and I even ran into someone I had met earlier in Stuttgart. Crazy!

Looking out over the Reformation Fest, complete with Renaissance rides for the kids. Their were booths for shopping everywhere and surprisingly they were the real deal and not just the cheap stuff that often turns up at such fests.

The infamous Wittenberg door. Of course, it's quite controversial as to whether Luther actually posted the 99 Theses on the door or not. Nevertheless it has become quite the symbol of the Reformation. The original wooden door burned down in a fire and in its place is now a bronze door with the 99 theses inscribed in Latin.

St. Marien Kirche- the city church in which Luther preached.

Herr Martin Luther

Perhaps the best part of the end of the day is knowing that tomorrow I will have a lecture, given by a Catholic on his perspectives of the reformation. Such fun!