Chapter 13: The Netherlands and Scandinavia
If someone could package the passion of the Christ and market it, Heaven would come to earth. Martin Luther, Menno Simons, Tausen, Petri and the thousands of nameless men, women and youth who sang their way to the stake or prettied up for live burial were enveloped by it.
God stepping off the throne of the universe, shrinking to human size, walking the planet as a peasant and giving up life like a common criminal is news! Bigger news is the why of it. Grasping the breath of that instils a passion that defies ordinary human feeling and pushes extraordinary human responses.
Mother Theresa, Corrie Ten Boom, good people from our age have changed the world when touched by that same fever. Ironically, in Jerusalem almost two millennia ago, and in the Netherlands in the 1400’s and 1500’s, that passion drove the opposition to a frenzy of hate even though the response was, “Father forgive them….”
And the blood drawn from those possessed by a passion for the Christ, fertilized faith and fed the spread of the gospel.
Today, the fire’s fizzled and no one’s feeling pain. Something to think about.
Cynthia Prime (Indiana, USA)
Cynthia Prime is president and CEO of Seeds of Hope Outreach (SOHO) … a faith based, humanitarian organization dedicated to relieving suffering and bringing hope to orphans, vulnerable children (OVCs) , women at risk and the destitute elderly in communities hard hit by HIV/AIDS, through sustainable programs that improve their quality of life and help equip them for a brighter future. SOHO collaborates with a diverse group of organizations, academic institutions, business entities and churches to address hunger, illiteracy, health care and HIV/AIDS prevention, economic empowerment and spiritual nurture, emphasizing a holistic approach and programs that foster self-reliance.
November 24th, 2008 at 12:01 am
It is sad to think of the terrible times and sacrifices the Reformers went through so all could read the Bible in freedom and peace and learn the truth, now almost every home (at least in the western world) would have the Bible in their homes, a dream fullfilled for the Reformers, but alas most dont take the time to read it.. It is just another dust collector..
November 24th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Just want to say that I am very glad you initiated this idea.It is very timely to strengthen our faith just before the storm that awaits God’s faithful people.
I have caught up with you guys even though I started much later. Now I am just finishing chapter 12 and starting chapter 13.
My suggestion would be that we do the same with other books of the Conflict of the ages series.
God is so good to us to preserve all this information in such a compact way. What excuse can we offer if we neglect such great opportunity as God has provided for us in His great love and mercy.
Praise to His Holy name.
Your sister in Jesus from down under.
Ruth
November 24th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I agree with Ruth. I am very glad you initiated this idea and that I was invited by a friend. It has been such a tremendous blessing!! I am teacher and just tought my class about M. Luther. Reading the chapters GC i really inspired my teaching! What a great treasure we have in those books.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I agree with comments above. As regards “no pain” that is true for free countries, however if you visit http://www.persecution.com.au or subscribe to The Voice of the Martyrs and other organisations there is much pain for just believing in Jesus, let alone preaching the Third Angels’ Message.
Purpose 4 of the Voice of the Martyrs ministry reads “To equip local Christians to love and bring to Christ their enemies who are opposed to the Gospel in countries where believers are actively persecuted for their Christian witness.”
One young lady a gospel singer was kept in a shipping container for 19 months. They would bring her out regularly to be given the opportunity to be released if she denied Jesus. When she kept her faith they would beat her around the legs & lock her up again. I don’t know how and why she was released eventually. This is only one of thousands of cases.
Others have their spouses etc. in jail, receive torture, or a husband is killed and this is where organisations help the family that are left. Many women are also persecuted for spreading the good news. Some lose their husband and children & soldier on.
Cynthia re “fire’s fizzled” we are probably “unfortunate” in one way to live in a lucky country. Let’s do our utmost to imbibe the water of life while we have the opportunity. We probably need persecution to really wake us up.
I think the idea of reading through other Spirit of Prophect books suggested by Ruth would be a good idea.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:54 am
Thank you for this reading. This is actually my first time on this web page and it’s encouraging to be able to talk to other believers all around the world. Have a GREAT one!
irene
November 25th, 2008 at 4:06 am
How blessed we are to be living at this time of the world’s history! We can look back over thousands of years to see the way God has led and guided and protected his people. We can also see the faithfulness of those who have given their lives , either in service or in sacrifice.
Those living in Adventist communities can become careless and lifeless. Time to get out and share the wonderful truth of the end of the Great Controversy!
Thank you to those who have contributed to the sharing of this Readathon, may God bless you all. Malachi 3:16,17 is an encouragement for us all.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Here’s a study guide for this chapter available at whiteestate.org. It’s good to read it; it’s even better to meditate on its content.
1. How early, and in what manner, had the Protestant principles found entrance into the Netherlands? 237:1 [271:1]
2. The statements regarding the Waldensian missionaries [238:1; 239:1 (272:1; 273:1)] should be linked with that which
appeared earlier, particularly [71:1 (80:2)] The fruitage of the labors of these youth was manifest centuries later, among
the descendants of those who received the gospel directly from them.
3. Why was the persecution of the followers of Luther in the Netherlands more severe than in Germany? Did the fact that
the believers were persecuted in one place, while there was comparative freedom in other parts, mean that the gospel was
hindered in the one more than in the other? 293:3 [274:1]
4. Who was the leading Reformer in Holland? How was he led to the study of the Scriptures? What were his educational
qualifications? What was the field of his labors, and for how long did he bear witness? 238:3-239:2 [272:1-273:2]
5. What qualifications in Tausen as a child, led to a rare educational opportunity? What restriction was made in his
choice of schools? How was he finally led to go to Wittenberg, and what risk did he run in doing this? On returning to
Denmark, where did he begin his work? How effective were the efforts to silence his testimony? 241:1-3 [275:3-276:2]
6. Where did the brothers who led the Reformation in Switzerland receive their training? In what were they alike, and
how did they differ in temperament? What remarkable opportunity was furnished to bear witness before the nobility of
Sweden, and with what result? 242:2-244:1 [276:3-279:1]
7. To what extent was the success of the Reformation due to the erudition and influence of its leaders and teachers? What
essential qualifications marked them all? 243:3 [278:2]
8. What was the effect of her acceptance of Protestantism upon the future history of Sweden, (1.) as to national strength,
(2.) as to the destiny of other nations? 244:2 [279:2]