Globe Trot: Marking freedom for Berlin and freedom for the church

GERMANY: Germans are preparing to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a display of illuminated balloons tracing a 15 km stretch of the route that divided the city between East and West—between communism and freedom.

The fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989, came two years after U.S. President Ronald Reagan delivered his famous “tear down this wall” speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Germany: “As long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind.”

REFORMATION DAY: It’s been far longer—nearly 500 years—since Germany heard the call for a different kind of freedom. Today is Reformation Day, the day a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg and set in motion the Protestant Reformation.

Robert Rothwell of Ligonier Ministries reflects on the significance of that day for the church and the whole of Western civilization:

“At the time, few would have suspected that the sound of a hammer striking the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany, would soon be heard around the world and lead ultimately to the greatest transformation of Western society since the apostles first preached the Gospel throughout the Roman empire.”

Plenty of good books and movies chronicle Luther’s rediscovery of the gospel, particularly as he experienced a great awakening while reading the book of Romans: “The righteous shall live by faith.”

PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: While the Reformation spurred revival, it also sparked upheaval and persecution for its advocates. Nearly half a millennium later, Christians of all stripes continue to face persecution around the world.

Over the next two Sundays (Nov. 2 and Nov. 9), Christians in the United States and worldwide will mark special days of prayer for the persecuted church. This year, there’s no lack of fodder for prayer, particularly as Christians in parts of the Middle East and Africa face the threat of extinction from their lands.

Tomorrow, Open Doors International will host a live webcast featuring author and missions leader David Platt and interviews with persecuted Christians. The World Evangelical Alliance also offers a slate of resources and information for participating in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

A PARTING NOTE: I’ll join Globe Trot readers in welcoming back WORLD editor Mindy Belz, as she returns from a short sabbatical and resumes the Globe Trot helm on Monday. For now, I’ll leave you with a reminder from Martin Luther’s great anthem that still rings true despite the deep difficulties for Christians and others in many dark corners of the world:

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.”