Luther and So Much More: A Report on the Study Trip to Germany on 8-23 June 2012

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1 Luther and So Much More: A Report on the Study Trip to Germany on 8-23 June 2012 By Miss HO Gaik Kim STM (31 July 2012) It was a mixed group of Lutherans and non-lutherans that went. Before our departure we received a paper that Professor Craig L. Neesan will be presenting. It gave many of us some idea of what to expect during the lectures. Mission One World is located in a beautiful small town called Neuendettelsau and it was our base during our time in Germany. We are deeply thankful to our host for being so gracious not only to accommodate the non-lutherans among us and our arriving a day earlier, but also arranging for us to spend a day in Nuremburg. Gothic churches, remains of the old city wall, castle and cobbled streets tell us that this city has a long history. Much of it is well preserved. And what a heritage! Rev Thomas Paulsteiner was an excellent guide, bringing to life the history of the place. Explanations about architecture, the art and artifacts in St. Lorenz Church were very enlightening. Theology, tradition and history, before and after the Reformation, were embedded in the church. The visit to Nuremburg was a foretaste of the visits we made later to places associated with Martin Luther. Lectures and Discussions Under the Theme Lutheran Identity : Delving Deeper into Luther and His works These were scheduled for 4 days from June 11 th to 14 th They were drawn up by Mission One World with input from STM. These lectures did not only titillate the mind but were intellectually stimulating, and fed our soul as well. There were many things that were new, like Lutheran Spirituality, while our understanding of some of Luther s works was greatly enhanced. Professor Dr. Walter Sparn s passion in sharing his knowledge was evident even though his German accent became heavier as he got more passionate. His lectures on Lutheran Perspectives on Biblical Hermeneutics, Lutheran Spirituality, Reformation in Erlangen and the Lutheran Teaching of God s Two Regiments, in response to Craig L. Neesan s well-presented and helpful lecture entitled Reappropriating Luther s Two Kingdoms: Toward Christian Political Responsibility, showed the depth and breadth of his knowledge and understanding. And they were practical and relevant as well, things like church and state relationship and how we live in a multi-religious and multi-cultural society, doing hermeneutics as individuals, and prayer for believers. His knowledge extends to Sacred Arts too as we discovered on our visit to the Cathedral of Heilsbronn. Ms. Hauerstein s brief explanation of some of the works in the Cathedral opened our eyes to see and appreciate the beauty of such works and also the message contained in them. We recognized that coming from our context many of us are not so literate STM Germany Study Trip in June 2012 Page 1 of 6

2 about these things. There is a challenge for us here to consider a greater use of such medium to convey the message of the Bible. Dr. Traugott Farnbacher s lecture on Martin Luther and the Thrust for Liberation in the Reformation was thought provoking in light of the fact that two thirds of the people in the world have only limited freedom of religion. Unique to Luther s teaching is that freedom can cover all groups, that direct and unconditional relationship with God can be experienced by all. This liberty flows out of the grace of God and it must overflow to others. We had the privilege of reading and discussing some of Luther s writings in groups, and sharing some of our thoughts. We learned much about the Church in Bavaria, its structure and ministries from Professor Walter Sparn, Dr. Claudia Jahnel and Dr. Vorlander. Being asked to share about our home churches reveals not only the differences but also the similarities. We are able to see the strengths and beauty of other church traditions. We also had opportunities to interact with those who presented the lectures, raise questions and give our response. If some of us discovered that we are actually more Lutheran than we realized it is only because Martin Luther had greatly impacted the Protestant Church s understanding and practice in so many aspects, and not just the doctrine of justification by faith that is often the first thing that comes to mind when we think of him. STM Germany Study Trip in June 2012 Page 2 of 6

3 Luther Sites: Entering into the World of the Great Reformer After 4 days of intensive lectures and discussion we embarked on the Luther Site Trip with a sense of excitement. Many of us have read the life history of Martin Luther and also some of his works, but it was quite another experience to actually be in the places and see the things associated with him, to enter his world, so to speak. The guides in Erfurt, Wittenberg, Wartburg Castle and Eisleben not only provided valuable information but helped to bring him alive. To be in Eisleben, the town of his birth and where he died, to enter the house where he was born in and the church where he received baptism, to walk through the cloister of the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt where he sought refuge, and worship in the Monastery Church, are unforgettable experiences. Even though the guided tour of Wartburg Castle was all too brief for some of us, just seeing the room where Luther translated the New Testament into German while confined there for ten months made the visit worthwhile. It revealed the genius of the man and his deep desire that the people of his land be able to read the Bible in their mother tongue. Wittenberg was kind of special because of Castle Church and the 95 Thesis that Luther was said to have nailed on its door. He is buried here and so is the architect of the Augsburg Confession, Melanchthon, and Elector Frederick the Wise who gave protection to Luther from Rome s wrath. On the walls were portraits of various people, many unknown to us. While Luther was the most prominent figure of the Reformation, we learned that there were many others whose STM Germany Study Trip in June 2012 Page 3 of 6

4 contribution helped the cause of the Reformation. Here too was the University where he taught, the monastery that was converted to become a home for him and his wife, Katharina von Bora, and now a museum, and the majestic Town Church where he preached. There are reminders of him everywhere in the old city, and rightly so. It is to the detriment of the church if we forget what he stood and fought for. The stained glass windows, elaborate altars and pulpits, the pipe organs, the works of art, the pews in the churches all remind us of an era gone by, but they are also a past that has impacted our present. We also saw lots of things carefully preserved and buildings restored for posterity. The efforts to restore and preserve history, even though it is costly, are certainly to be lauded and emulated. We would not have seen or learnt so much without such efforts. We in Malaysia still have a long way to go when it comes to conservation efforts. The Church in Germany is preparing for the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 with the Reformation Decade. Each year there is a theme and this year the focus is on music. In preparation for 2017, a lot of renovation and restoration work is going on. During our visit to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Centre in Wittenberg, located in Wittenberg College, it can be clearly seen how an old building has been beautifully restored, a testament to how such buildings can still serve present day needs. We were given a briefing about the work of LWF by Pastor Hans W. Kasch, and also the creation of Luther Garden to mark the grand occasion to come. Trees were planted by different churches from around the world. During our visit, we participated in a Tree Planting Service. Bishop Terry Kee of the Lutheran Church in Singapore planted a tree on behalf of his church. Rev Thomas Paul Steiner suggested that Seminari Theoloji Malaysia may want to consider planting a tree in the garden, which is a good idea. STM Germany Study Trip in June 2012 Page 4 of 6

5 Buchenwald Nazi Concentration Camp and Modlareuth: Legacies of Humanity Gone Askew Visiting these two places was indeed sobering. They reveal the depths of human depravity and the evils that humans can perpetrate against their fellows. The high fence with barbed wires, the tiny dark cells and the execution chamber bear testimony to the atrocities committed at the concentration camp. Seeing the crematorium was especially chilling. The thought that tens of thousands were executed or died from torture, hard labour or medical experiments, can make one sick to the stomach. Human beings seem to have the ingenuity in devising tools of brutality and violence. Modlareuth is a tiny village that one day found itself divided into two because of the Cold War. A wall and a fence were erected separating families, friends and neighbours. It is especially pertinent for Christians, seeing the wall, to be reminded that Christ has destroyed the dividing wall of hostility between us. It is understandable if such legacies are destroyed and something beautiful built in its place, but such a tragic past cannot simply be erased by razing down the physical buildings. There is wisdom in leaving them as memorials to sensitize the human conscience lest we forget and repeat the ugly history. While the two places may not be a priority or even in the itinerary of many visitors, we are thankful that our host entertained our suggestion. These places prove to be powerful avenues of learning about humanity, and are objects for much thought and reflection. Diaconia and Mission Work: Faith in Practice We were introduced to two men who lived in Neuendettelsau, whose life and service had a great and far-reaching impact even though they lived in the 19 th century. Wilhelm Lohe and Friedrich Bauer were co-workers. Lohe founded Diaconia Work, which has since his time spawned a host of ministries. Today there are schools, hospitals, homes for seniors, training centres and a host of other services. We were privileged to be taken to see a work centre for the physically and mentally challenged. The work of Diaconia is truly impressive and something we can take a leaf from, even though we may not get the kind of government funding that they do. Lohe and Friedrich Bauer gave impetus to mission work with the latter establishing a mission seminary and training many to serve as missionaries. The conducted tour of Exhibition Einblik by STM Germany Study Trip in June 2012 Page 5 of 6

6 Rev Thomas Paulsteiner allowed us a glimpse into what Mission One World is doing in various parts of the world and the challenges faced. One of the things that stand out is the ethos that mission work is holistic. While we cannot replicate their work we can learn much about mission from their long history of involvement in it. We also had the opportunity to visit Augustana Divinity School, located on a beautiful and secluded part of the town. It is small but the library is impressive. If we think that our theological training is long and difficult, theirs is certainly more rigorous. We learned from Paulsteiner that it takes 6-7 years to complete one s theological training and it is 9 to 10 years before one can become a pastor. Granted that the context is different but it something to ponder about. Neuendettelsau is a small town but it is certainly not small when it comes to mission outreach, both at home and abroad. The history of mission and diaconia here reminds us how individuals, with love for God and people, can accomplish much in His hands. It is so encouraging to see how the precious seeds planted over a century ago continue to grow and bear fruit through the service of dedicated servants of God today. We definitely brought home more than chocolates or the things that we bought. We have a greater appreciation of Martin Luther and His contribution to the church at large. Then there is the challenge of the use of sacred arts in transmitting theology, and the lessons that can be learnt about diaconia and mission work. Last but not least, the friendship and the generous hospitality of our host. STM Germany Study Trip in June 2012 Page 6 of 6