Many
people are surprised to find that not all of the differences
between Presbyterians and Lutherans are theological. It is geography
as much as anything that contributes to the variety of strands
within the Reformed tradition. For instance, Lutheranism originated
in Germany with Martin Luther, the first of the sixteenth-century
Reformers. The roots of Presbyterianism, however, lie in the
Swiss Reformation, especially as it emerged in Geneva under
the leadership of French-born John Calvin. Not only did the
influence of these two Reformation leaders sprout in different
countries, but the peak of their influence was felt at different
times. Calvin was a young child when Luther nailed his ninety-five
theses on the Wittenberg door.
There are many characteristics beyond time and place that
gave shape to Luther’s and Calvin’s Reformation
ideals. Luther trained as a monk, while Calvin was educated
to be a lawyer. Luther was a man of robust passion, led by inspiration;
while Calvin was a scholar, led by systematic thought and high
regard for orderliness in theology and politics. The Lutherans
thought Presbyterians were legalistic and unyielding. Luther
stressed salvation freely given by the grace of God through
Jesus Christ. Calvin emphasized grace too, but with more emphasis
on the ordered life to which it led. Martin Luther’s love
for music led him to write many hymns; the best known, “A
Mighty Fortress is Our God,” appears in most Protestant
hymnals. Lutherans have followed Luther in their great appreciation
of music. Calvin’s hymn, “I Greet Thee Who My Sure
Redeemer Art,” may be less metrical and dramatic, but
many Presbyterians claim that Calvin’s hymnody is more
refined and artistic than Luther’s. Out of their very
different experiences and character, Luther and Calvin turned
the church of their times around. Four hundred years later theologians,
historians, students, and biographers continue to interpret
the life and work of Calvin and Luther in books, movies, treatises,
commentaries, and all manner of theological reflections.
While Presbyterians and Lutherans are eager to understand
and affirm the uniqueness of their Reformed identity, we do
relate to each other as full communion partners. Presbyterians
and Lutherans are in a full communion partnership with one another
not because we descended from the tradition of Luther or Calvin—or
even John Knox; we are in partnership because we recognize similar
themes in the life and ministries of our congregations. Presbyterians
and Lutherans acknowledge that many of their mission goals are
best realized through cooperation with each other. For example,
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), through its Mission Work Plan,
chose Spirituality and Discipleship as a primary goal. One of
the major objectives of this goal focuses on the role of families
in nurturing Christian discipleship across all ages. In considering
this goal from a curriculum perspective, Congregational Ministries
Publishing saw enormous potential for meeting the needs of congregations
through collaboration with the Congregational Publishing Division
of Augsburg Fortress Publishers (related to the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America).
The curriculum partnership between Presbyterians and Lutherans
began early in fall 2005 with conversations about vacation Bible
school. During these conversations the publishers of these two
entities discussed common issues facing today’s congregations.
Presbyterians, like Lutherans, are busy and overextended, looking
for ways to experience God that are both intellectual and experiential,
and wanting worship and Christian education that goes beyond
Sunday morning and beyond traditional concepts. All of us want
Christian education that is fun, but more to the point, relevant
to life and faith.
These common concerns led to a discussion about the ways the
church seeks to nurture discipleship across the life span, and
then the two publishers started to talk about an exciting new
concept under consideration at Augsburg Fortress. The new concept
revolved around a Web-based faith development curriculum. The
new resource is designed to provide church-centered Bible study,
interactive online learning and dialogue, and learning supported
by service opportunities. The family is the locus of discipleship,
and this curriculum encourages families to be the active support
group and primary source of nurture in faith development. This
new program is called Akaloo
(derived from the Greek word, akoluthein, which means “to
follow.”) It was not long after learning of Akaloo that
the Presbyterians got on board.
In addition to working with Augsburg Fortress on vacation
Bible school and Akaloo, we are also working together on Splash!—birth-to-age-three
faith formation newsletters that are sent out monthly to parents
or caregivers. Splash! Packs are filled with support for families
to fulfill the promises made at, or in preparation for, their
child’s baptism. Bible school, Splash!, and Akaloo: Each
of these resources responds to a yearning for spiritual depth
that is prevalent in Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations,
as well as in contemporary culture at large. We are pleased
to work with Augsburg Fortress in reaching out to young and
old, encouraging people of every age to persevere in the life
of faith; to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly
with our God. |
