I was hoping we could have a thread to post useful websites, writings, videos, etc. to build one another up as Reformed Christians of all denominations. (I was briefly looking into Orthodoxy but suffice it to say, it is not for me).
In my effort to understand the core teachings of the Bible better, I am reading the original Reformers, starting mainly with Martin Luther. Luther came before Calvin and was a contemporary of Zwingli, although those two disagreed about specific points. As the Protestants among us believe, the overall point of the Reformation was to recover the original meaning of Scripture which had been lost under the traditions of man, hypocrisy, and self-serving deception of the Pope and most of the priest/monastic class, which came to a head because of the sale of indulgences ("As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs" was a favorite priestly slogan). I believe the way the Reformers risked their reputation, comfort, and lives to stand up boldly to the evil that had obscured God's word, shows the Reformers were praiseworthy and brave men. I believe they had God and His truth on their side, even though as men they were fallible and didn't agree about everything.
Below is something that I found useful -- Luther's "Little Instruction Book" which gives a simple Christian way a father should present basic Bible teachings to his household. This kind of simple, useful teaching is what I need as a relatively new Christian, and probably even many years from now to review the basics. It is immediately clear on reading it why Luther became such a huge influence in the Holy Roman Empire and gained such great authority as a spiritual leader, even in spite of his official Catholic status as an excommunicated heretic, and an outlaw in some regions.
The overall website contains many of Martin Luther's works including a Large Catechism which expands on the Little Instruction Book, a great introduction to the Book of Romans, which Luther regarded as the key to the whole Bible, and many other good resources I've found useful in the last few weeks.
In my effort to understand the core teachings of the Bible better, I am reading the original Reformers, starting mainly with Martin Luther. Luther came before Calvin and was a contemporary of Zwingli, although those two disagreed about specific points. As the Protestants among us believe, the overall point of the Reformation was to recover the original meaning of Scripture which had been lost under the traditions of man, hypocrisy, and self-serving deception of the Pope and most of the priest/monastic class, which came to a head because of the sale of indulgences ("As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs" was a favorite priestly slogan). I believe the way the Reformers risked their reputation, comfort, and lives to stand up boldly to the evil that had obscured God's word, shows the Reformers were praiseworthy and brave men. I believe they had God and His truth on their side, even though as men they were fallible and didn't agree about everything.
Below is something that I found useful -- Luther's "Little Instruction Book" which gives a simple Christian way a father should present basic Bible teachings to his household. This kind of simple, useful teaching is what I need as a relatively new Christian, and probably even many years from now to review the basics. It is immediately clear on reading it why Luther became such a huge influence in the Holy Roman Empire and gained such great authority as a spiritual leader, even in spite of his official Catholic status as an excommunicated heretic, and an outlaw in some regions.
The overall website contains many of Martin Luther's works including a Large Catechism which expands on the Little Instruction Book, a great introduction to the Book of Romans, which Luther regarded as the key to the whole Bible, and many other good resources I've found useful in the last few weeks.
