2017: The Quincentennial Celebration of the Reformation in an Age of Secularization and Religious Pluralism

In the last days of October 1517 Martin Luther finished a series of theological theses in which he argued that selling indulgences was theologically wrong; in fact, untenable. Protestants consider Luther's initiative the beginning of the Reformation. But how should we celebrate the memory of these events that took place 500 years ago? What is the lasting value of Luther's message in our time, in an age of secularization and religious pluralism?     

学者精神永存——忆《费希特全集》编纂者劳特

德国慕尼黑大学赖因哈德·劳特教授(1919～2007)是当代著名的费希特著作编纂家和研究家.文革结束以前,我虽然从<德国哲学研究>杂志上看过他宣告要编辑<费希特全集>,但对他从事的这项工程的重要性并没有什么认识.文革结束以后,我才看到从1962年开始出版的这套全集的前十卷.     

Indulgences in the Catholic Reformation

Abstract

Ever since Luther’s ‘Ninety-five Theses’ (1517), indulgences have been synonymous with corruption in the Catholic Church, although their proper use was to be reaffirmed at the Council of Trent. This article comprises firstly, an exploration of the theory, nature, uses, and evolution of indulgences after Luther up to about 1700; secondly, an examination of indulgences as a product of ecclesiastical jurisdiction of popes and bishops; and thirdly, an exploration of the individual acquisition of pardons and the progression of different devotions over time. The focus will be on France as a case study. It will be shown how indulgences in Catholicism survived Luther, were reinvented and emerged as a powerful tool of personal and institutional reform. They provide a lens through which to explore the history of the institutional Church, in particular relationships between centre and periphery during the Catholic Counter-Reformation centuries.     

Cantus Planus in the Reformation

Abstract

This essay explores the reform of cantus planus (the medieval practice of plainchant) which lies at the core of the liturgical and musical Reformation though has not yet received due attention. The Renaissance humanists’ critique of cantus planus is based on their conception of ancient ecclesiastical chant built upon the union of music and speech, viz., the ‘modulated recitation‘. The syllabic declamation and the quantitative metres of ancient Greek music were of essential importance to the humanists’ reforming programme of cantus planus. This centred on the matter of the intelligibility of the text in liturgical music. The essay illustrates the humanist characteristic of the Reformation chants, examining ways in which the classical paradigm of music was reconfigured in the new chant compositions.     

毛泽东与纪念活动的政治功能表达

纪念活动是一种政治仪式,也是一种政治象征,有其独特的政治功能.民主革命时期,毛泽东通过多种途径和方式,使纪念活动的政治功能得以充分表达和释放.具体表现为:借助纪念活动诠释马克思主义基本原理与中国化马克思主义,纪念活动成为理论诠释的重要载体;借助纪念活动提出自己的政治主张,表达自己的政治诉求,纪念活动成为政治动员的重要契机;借助纪念活动协调国共关系、整合各派力量、凝聚各方人心,纪念活动成为政治整合的重要途径;借助纪念活动给予共产国际、苏联和世界其他国家以配合和支持,纪念活动成为协调国际关系的重要媒介.     

爱国爱教玄门钦——纪念闵智亭大师仙逝五周年

听着窗外呼啸肆虐的狂风,心中顿生一丝寒意,我怅然若失,无心案头工作.随手翻看会议记录,一纸<道藏>养生类编意见映入眼帘:收编的内容,我认为很好.我同意……想起这是前几天同事转给我的前中国道教协会会长闵智亭道长的生前手稿.端详着手稿,一个慈祥、倔强、朴素、智慧的老人形象油然而生,渐觉暖意融融.我不由得想起五年前一个风雪交加之夜,受远方友人之托.去医院看望病重住院的闵智亭大师,并送花篮.当时大师已住院月余,虽然病情不见好转,但一向坚强的他精神很好,看着送去的花篮,微笑着说:谢谢.     

Reformation

Abstract

Thomas Becon (1512/13–1567), one of the early English Reformers, is known for his dialogues, prayers, and Catechism. While the word ‘reformation’ occurs rarely in his works, the notion itself extends further than Church structures and theology. Becon’s approach to reformation does not envision the Church as an object of faith or an ecclesiastical construct to be refurbished. His style reveals undertones that convey a somewhat deeper flavour. Beside his Nicene definition of the Church, his idea of reformation is grounded in subliminal assumptions which we propose to elucidate. The Reformation as a return to a model of ideal Church organization or returning to the supposedly normative Apostolic Church is more like the expression or resurgence of a myth akin to resurrection.     

The Heart of the Reformation Faith

Abstract: This historical and theological study of Reformation theologians, principally Martin Luther and John Calvin, examines three dimensions of faith: (1) faith as belief; (2) faith as trust; and (3) faith as the indwelling presence of Christ. To the question, “how does faith justify?,” the answer is found in the third, the indwelling of Christ, wherein the justness of Christ is present in the sinful person.     

A Companion to the Reformation World

Books reviewed: Hsia, R. Po‐chia, ed., A Companion to the Reformation World
Reviewed by Arun Jones
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary