Hell has frozen over: Lutheran leader invites Pope to participate in anniversary of the Reformation

Why should I miss out on all the fun?

Luther is rolling in his grave and the end of the world is at hand. How else can you explain this weird event? The year 2017 will mark the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation and the Lutheran World Federation has invited Pope Benedict to help plan the festivities. Yes, you heard that right. The pope will help celebrate the beginning of the Reformation. Perhaps the pope or the Lutheran World Federation has gone mad? Or maybe the pope doesn't want to miss out on a good party. After all, the party is going to be in Germany and we all know how well they party.

Actually it isn't too shocking, since Lutherans and Catholics have made great ecumenical strides in the past decades. In 1999, an historic document was signed pertaining to the doctrine of justification by faith. Both Catholics and Lutherans, "share the conviction that the message of justification directs us in a special way towards the heart of the New Testament witness to God’s saving action in Christ: it tells us that as sinners our new life is solely due to the forgiving and renewing mercy that God imparts as a gift and we receive in faith, and never can merit in any way."

For those of you who attend, I will be insanely jealous. Just think of me when you play a riveting game of pin the thesis on the church door and eat some delicious heretic potato pancakes!



Lutheran leader invites Pope to participate in anniversary of the Reformation | Christian News on Christian Today