Today is October 31. I am saddened to see the increasing involvement that Australians now have in Halloween celebrations. The supermarkets and department stores have huge displays selling lollies and creepy accessories. I would not be surprised to see trick-or-treaters at my door this evening. But I hope not. I see this shift towards Halloween, not so much as a shift towards Americanism, but towards hedonism. Australia embraces Halloween with all the enthusiasm of Christmas, Grand Final Day, Easter...and all the other excuses for spending money and indulging in excess food.
Today is October 31. It is also Reformation Day; the day many Reformed people around the world remember God's wonderful work in the 16th century. Today, if you were to come to my door, I would not give you lollies. I would give you something far sweeter, the five solae that rang out so strongly in the 16th century. I pray that they can ring out again through the world today:
Sola Scriptura - the Bible is the only inspired and authorative word of God.
Sola Fide - we are saved by faith alone, not good works.
Sola Gratia - this salvation comes only by the grace of God.
Sola Christus - Christ is the only mediator between God and man; there is no salvation without Him.
Soli Deo Gloria - the glory goes to God and to God alone.
Great post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI agree whole-heartedly! We saw many kids out on the streets last night dressed and painted in ghoulish ways. When we arrived home we had some small new testaments to give out if anyone came knocking on the door. The Scripture is the only thing [under the authority of God Himself] that can open the eyes of these kids who are dabbling in occultish ways, so that they see the Light rather than the darkness that is blinding them!
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