Freedom by truth　 the 501st anniversary of the Reformation

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 This is my article about the Reformation that I wrote 2 years ago in a Catholic web magazine AMOR Hidamarinooka.
 

God gave the Bible to humans who are willing to believe in what is passing by to show that what is invisible is eternal truth. About 500 years ago, when the Bible of Luther's translation brought into the hands of everyone, many denominations were born in a blink of an eye. It was a testament to the freedom of truth given to those who believed in Christ. However, gradually, the pursuit of Bible truth has created conflicts. Concerned about the division of the church, Erasmus sought to find the essential, and claimed there are the two types of doctrine, the indispensable or the controversial. It can be said that there was truth in his work as well.


At a catholic school

I belong to a Protestant church, but I have been studying at a Catholic university for a long time. At that time, I always had time to feel sad. It is the time of worship in the Catholic Church, the sacrament in the Mass, that is, the communion. Eucharist is a matter of doctrine and can only be accepted by people in the Catholic Church in principle. I had many opportunities to go to Mass, but the more I liked Catholics, the more I hated the time I was left alone because I’m a Protestant. When I was asked a professor he is Jesuit priest that I wanted to receive the Eucharist, he replied, "Because it is decided by the church, Protestant people other than the Anglican can not receive it." However, by the time I finished graduate school, the professor was very pleased that I would be a Protestant theological student. A few years later, the other day, I had the opportunity to participate in the Mass organized by him. Then, he gave me the Eucharist. At that moment, I felt freedom in the Mass for the first time.


As a Protestant believer

I studied a graduate school of the same university, and wrote a master's thesis in biblical studies, but another problem I encountered was my view of the Bible. My thesis adviser ,an Jesuit priest was liberal, that is, in modern times, trying to free the Bible from the church and interpret it. I was confused because I believe that the Bible is the unmistakable Word of God. Gradually, I thought that the teacher did not believe in the Bible, and I became trapped in the idea that I was right. The professor died before I left graduate school. In the farewell ceremony, I learned that the professor had sincerely hoped for eternal life in the face of death and continued to pray that he could live in God even after he died. He expected much more than I did for the eternal life of the Bible. He was a forgiven sinner before being a liberal Bible scholar. When I realized that, I had freedom.


As a Seeker of Truth

The freedom that God brings has taken me to an unimaginably wide world.

However, the truth also tells me that I only know a grain of sand in the world created by God.

Every Christian seeks Bible truth. Sometimes it produces two conflicting doctrines. Because truth is not the ligalism. Also, from what people think that this is the truth, the truth may disappear and hatred may be born. Human sin is extremely jeopardizing the truth. But the truth is not complicated. The truth is simple. The truth is always in love. Truth is what God brings. John says in his letter. "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." Paul says, " If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. "

 

What captures our hearts

 Truth brings us freedom. Is there freedom in the place where we live, in the modern church? If you are bound by something, it is not the truth, but the lie. According to the Bible, it is sin, not the Lord Jesus Christ, that governs the place where freedom is deprived.

In the history of the Church, when a person discovers an aspect of truth, he gradually begins to worship only one aspect of that truth, forgetting love, and recurring conflicts. Sadly, when the revival took place, the people who built the church in the previous revival persecuted it. The Reformers were persecuted by the Catholic Church, but Luther also persecuted Anabaptism. When one forgets love, he or she leaves the truth. Love has the power to lead people to the truth. This is the reason why love is the highest commandment.

Also , even if the things in this world are only fictional, they look extremely attractive to the human eye. In the name of realism, the desire for the honor of the world causes the things that eventually collapse to obscure the eyes of us, separating love and truth from us. Even though the truth is eternal and above all certain. Even in churches, seminaries, and Christendom, the desire for the honor of the world seeks to prevent God's intervention everywhere. Paul says in the Romans: " The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, " Since God is Almighty, there is no place he cannot rule. Jesus said that he was the truth itself.

 

What is important to Christians

When praying, reading the Bible, worshiping, speaking to someone, telling, thinking, deciding something no matter how small, running an organization, studying, everywhere and whenever we talk, keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, the founder and perfector of faith. Keep our eyes on the truth for every moment. Isn't this what Christians are required in all ages to stay with Christ Himself ? Christianity is a person. It is Christianity that truth, way, and life, regardless of denomination, are all in the name of Jesus Christ. Because Christ is the perfect doctrine and theology. And the church is his bride.

Jesus said to everyone those who believed in himself.

" And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John8:32

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