Remembering the life and work of Martin Luther
Mokokchung, November 2 (MExN): The 500 Year Anniversary of Reformation was celebrated by the Clark Theological College (CTC) on October 31, 2017.
The day long commemoration started with the Thanksgiving Service where visiting professor of Systematic Theology, Dr. Dennis Oh from South Korea spoke, reflecting on the life and work of Martin Luther. The speaker observed that during Luther’s time, the unrighteousness of the Church was very high and against which Luther stood his ground and for which he was labeled by the Church as heretic. Dr Dennis concluded his message by saying, “Luther was condemned by the Church and for which we are here today”.
In the afternoon session, a Symposium was organized where Dr. L. Imsutoshi Jamir, Associate professor of Communication and Cultural Studies, CTC presented a paper on the topic, ‘”Political Economy of Luther’s “Read the Bible for yourself’” and it’s message for the Contemporary North East India Churches”. In his paper, Dr. Imsutoshi argued that, ‘”Political Economy of Luther’s “Read the Bible for You’” was an attempt to de-construct Church monopoly of theology.
Dr Imsutoshi observed that Church during Luther’s time was working ceaselessness to accumulate wealth and Power. Thus, theology and church practices were centered on commotification and monetization with a sole aim to maximize revenues by offering cheap means of salvation- salvation through member’s contributions.
Against this constructed theology and practice, against this false-consciousness, and against this manufacturing consent, Luther boldly and with convection said that the Word of God over rule all this constructed theology and practice, Dr. Imsutoshi said. Dr. Imsutoshi concluded his paper by saying that, at the time when North East Christianity is challenged from principalities, traditions, legality and when our own church theology and practices are directed towards commodification and monetization, Luther’s ‘”Political economy of “Read the Bible for Yourself’” is a conscious reminder that the Word of God and its teaching “over rule” all our human constructed theology, traditions, beliefs and practices.
The daylong celebration culminated in the evening with a musical celebration and competition in honoured memory of Martin Luther, Musician and Father of Reformation.
Dr. Eyingbeni Humtsoe, Faculty of Systematic Theologian and Gender Studies at CTC while honouring and remembering Martin Luther as Musician said, “Martin Luther was not only a theologian, a monk, philosopher, law expert but he was a Church Music Reformer…Renewing the Church Music was in his Heart”. For Dr. Eying also observed that Luther gave birth to Congregational Hymn singing in German Language. She also observed, “For Luther next to the Word of God was Music”.
Congregational singing was forbidden by law during Luther’s time and therefore, music, song- congregational singing fired the Reformation, Eying said. This was followed by class wise competition on Indigenous version of Martin Luther’s famous composition A Mighty Fortress is Our God.
A press release received here stated that the Clark community was captivated by the Kumlong Baptist Church Children’s Choir special presentation led by Moanaro, Director, Children Ministry.
It is worth noting that the inaugural programme for the celebration of 500 year anniversary of Reformation was held at CTC Chapel Hall on Friday, July 28, 2017 with prayer. On this day the Principal of the College Rev. Dr. Marnungsang posted the first thesis from the Luther’s 95 theses and declared to the Clark Community that the celebration will be marked by 95 days of remembering Luther’s 95 theses by way of putting up one thesis every day, on the wall of the College’s main building till all 95 theses are put up. He also said that the events will revolve around Luther’s most foundational theology: “Saved by Grace”.
