The church, which is perfectly united in the Body of Christ is, outwardly, divided.

We are aware of the schism that the Reformation brought about, but there was also an earlier Great Schism, that we should all be familiar with. That is the division that occurred between the Latin Church and the Greek Church in 1054 AD. As a result of it, and the Protestant Reformation, the present census of Christians is as follows. 

Of the world's 2.42 billion Christians there are approximately 1.2 billion Catholics, 900 million Protestants (which includes Lutherans of many stripes), 85 milliion Anglicans, and roughly 356 million Eastern Orthodox. 

The above history should remind us that not only is a working knowledge of Christian doctrine and practice required of the baptized. But the knowledge of church history as well. In order to obtain it a Christian must submit to teaching, as well as preaching. 

But such knoweldge is not easily gained. Not because it's unavailable. But because there is so much of it! No person, even devoting his entire life to the study of things Christian (as did the Venerable Bede in the 7th century), can know it all, or learn it all. The treasury is too vast.

But that must not stop us from devouring this beautiful knowledge. Whatever other areas of interest or profession you might have, none can take the place of this, or give what this gives. Wisdom, perspective, understanding, a broad base, stability, the long view (v. the ever troubling short view), and an understanding of how God works within history. 

The 500th Anniversary of the Reformation has once again awakened the love of history in Christians of all denominations; and I can think of no better way to honor our inheritance than to let it launch our interests into the deep waters. To paraphrase  Moses: Would that all the Lord's people were historians. (Numbers 11:29)

This is not to suggest that we should jump off the ship into the Mariana Trench which is deeper than Mt. Everest is highl. But that we should go swimming every day beginning at the shore, and moving ever deeper from there.

This rare opportunity exists for you each Sunday at 9:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church. Tomorrow, October 29th, we will dedicate the hour to the history and theology of the Reformation. You need to know that. Beginning the following week, and going into the Spring of 2018, we will study the history, theology and practice of Christian worship. There is nothing more important than that! Why? Because that will be our occupation for eternity in heaven: the worship of the Father. It begins now, continues there, and never ends. 

Life is good!