Reformation Polka Music Video

Tomorrow will be the 498th anniversary of when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to a door in Wittenberg, starting a snowball that rolled into the Reformation. Sola Scriptura. Sola fide. Sola gratia.

I know I've posted about this song before. Twice. But I think you'll enjoy this animated music video of the Reformation Polka. Have a happy All Saints Eve!

Friday Fun: Reformation Memes

Today is Halloween and Reformation Day. I didn't have time to post extensively on either (and I was getting tired of annually posting about the "Reformation Polka"), so here's some Reformation fun: Reformation memes.

It's fun to imagine the collision of Renaissance culture and modern cyberspace. I wish I had discovered these last year.

You can read the rest of them here, and it might be only the surface.

HT: Kevin Halloran

Friday Fun: Reformation Polka

In celebrating Reformation Day, this is a lovely little ditty I learned in seminary, and my church actually let me dress up as Martin Luther and sing it for the congregation during a Sunday evening service. It's to the tune of "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

When I was ein younger man 
I studied canon law;
though Erfurt was a challenge 
it was just to please my pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck; 
I called upon Saint Anne:
I shaved my head, I took my vows 
– an Augustinian.

Refrain:
Papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation:
speak your mind against them and face excommunication.
Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a reformation,
papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation.

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St Peter’s profits soared,
so I wrote a little message for the All Saints’ bulletin board;
‘you cannot purchase merit for we’re justified by grace;
here’s ninety-five more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!

Refrain

They loved my tracts, adored my wit; all were ex empleror;
the pope, however, hauled me up before the emperor.
‘Are these your books? Will you recant?” King Charles did demand;
“I will not change my diet sir, God help me, here I stand.’

Refrain

Duke Frederick took the wise approach, responding to my words
by knighting George a hostage in the kingdom of the birds.
‘Use Brother Martin’s model as the languages you seek,
stay locked inside the castle with your Hebrew and your Greek.’

Refrain

Now let’s raise our steins and concord books together in this place
and spread the word that ‘catholic’ is spelled with lower-case;
the word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets a chance,
so come on, Katie, drop your lute and join us in our dance.

Refrain

Reformation Sunday and a Polka

          Today we honor the 495th anniversary of the debut of the 95 Theses, a courageous and necessary defense of the authority of Scripture, the priority of biblical faith and the beauty of God's grace. Martin Luther, a flawed but brave saint, posted these theses against a Truth-less world with powerful, corrupted and legalist churches.

          In grad school, I learned of a clever song about the life of Martin Luther and the theological significance of the Reformation . . . to the tune of Mary Poppins' "Supercalifragilisticexpalidocious." I actually sang it in church for an evening service (see above) a few years ago. Below is a video of a recording of the song, but my musical interpretation was much more polka-oriented.

          Remember: sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia!