Reformation and its significance in world history

Captions: 1. Dr Martin Luther. 2. Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses

By PASTOR JACK URAME
Melanesian Institute, Goroka

Luther and the reformation

Dr. Martin Luther, the great church reformer, marked the era between the end of the Middle Ages and beginning of the modern age.
He was branded a radical who went against the church authorities but he stood on the Word of God to reform the church - not to divide the church.
Many people still hold Luther as a wonderfully gifted man to the church of his time who stood for the truth of the Gospel against all opposing threats and powers that almost cost him his life.
The story of this humble and simple son of a coalminer who became a professor of Theology and father of church reformation is an amazing story of the history of the Christian church.
After turning down his father’s will to earn him a good job of a middle class by studying law Luther made a sudden unexpected turned.
Despite all disappointments and anger of his parents, who were struggling for a decent education of their son, Luther was found knocking at the gate of the Erfurt cloister of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine.
His vow to Saint Anna to become a monk in 1505 when he was caught in a thunder storm on his return trip from his parents’ home to Erfurt was his turning point.
His encounter with a lightening strike that almost cost his life created a world history.
Luther’s diligent study of the scripture led him to new discoveries of the Bible.
He discovered the immeasurable grace of God through Christ.
Many people would agree that if it was not for Luther we probably would have a different church now. Luther, a man full of knowledge and wisdom, had thrown the whole world into confusion in matters of faith, church and religion.
The legacy of Luther lives on and the Lutheran community throughout the world celebrate the reformation day each year on the 31st October.
It was on this day Luther nailed his famous ninety-five theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Germany, for a public debate at the close of October 1517.
Luther did not fear men but God and stood on these words, “I will announce your commands to kings and I will not be ashamed.” Psalm 119: 46.
He remained today an historical church reformer but what he did changed the world forever.
He was standing between the realms of heaven and earth, between Christ and the devil, between the voice of God and the voices of human rulers, between human teachings and the truth of the Word of God.
He was struggling with human powers as well as the devil.
He was a man of courage with no fear of men but of God.
The fearless Theologian with much courage and bravery stood before the princes and rulers and defended the Word of God at the Imperial Diet of Worms (the highest council of the Roman Empire) that otherwise could have cost him his life.
His concluding defence before the rulers and princes that time is well remembered and treasured by many as Luther’s statement of his stand against all odds and enemies. “My conscious is captive to the word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscious is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. God, help me, I cannot do otherwise. Amen.”
His scholarly contemporary, Philipp Melanchthon, once described Luther as “a miracle among men and everything that he said and wrote went straight to the heart and made a wonderfully deep impression on it.”

What reformation means for us today

It is not about Luther but about the amazing story of how God kept his word, the church and the Christian faith alive against all heresies.
Reformation Day is a time to reflect back on the history of the church and the journey of mission and faith of how God in an amazing way planted the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of men and moved them to extend his mission on earth.
Reformation reminds us to be conscious of our task as Christians and Christian churches to carry on the mission of God, to extend the love of Christ and to continue proclaim the word of God in all its purity and truth.
Reformation also reminds us to be aware that we have a duty to defend the Word of God from all heresies and human deceits.
Reformation means to be conscious of our mission aims to reach out to people, touch their lives and help them encounter Christ so that they find a place in the Christian community.
As in the time of reformation the struggle between the earthly and the heavenly, between the children of God and the devil, between the light and darkness is not yet over.
Today, in the changing world this struggle continues.
This challenges us to keep true to our faith and keep shining our lights in the dark world where the devil and his agents still have a playroom in our world.
Like other Lutheran Christians around the world, the Lutherans in PNG still considered the reformation day as an important occasion in their church.
To understand Luther and the reformation is to understand the basic foundations he laid for us in Christian doctrine.
Luther’s teachings were not his but Christ’s.
Reformation was not for his good but for the good of the Christian church.
The members of the Lutheran community take pride in their history not because they are followers of Luther but of Christ.
The reformer himself asked, “What is Luther? After all, the teaching is not mine. Nor was I crucified for anyone. St. Paul would not permit Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christians. How then should I – poor, stinking sack of maggots that I am – be entitled to have people call the children of Christ by my wretched name?”
Lutherans are not Luther’s disciples but followers of Christ.
Reformation Day is not only an occasion to celebrate the religious revolution, which had its time in history and was over, but a time to take our faith and life in God seriously. What happened in history still inspires us today to keep moving forward with determination in order to receive the promise of Christ of eternal salvation.
As we celebrate with joy we also look forward with joy to meeting Christ.

Article on the occasion of Reformation Day 31st October 2008

By Rev Dr WOLFGANG THUMSER

ELC-PNG

Senior Flierl Seminary, Logaweng, Finschhafen

It is often said we Lutherans are conservative guys, and that's probably true.

The funny thing about this is that our historical origins lie in a renewal movement which happened nearly 500 years ago in Europe.

"Reformation" means: let's try and make it better, in accordance with our origins.

This is what Martin Luther did in Germany in the 16th century, and this is exactly what Melanesians should do today as well.

We Lutherans find our origins in the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was newly discovered by Martin Luther and brought to this country by missionaries.

This Christian heritage, together with the richness of cultural tradition, is not a rope to tie us up, but the ground, on which we freely stand and walk our own way.

But it's always important to have good knowledge about the ground you are walking on.

This is why our seminary realised a research about our Lutheran pioneer missionary, Johann Flierl.

 In numerous interviews, the Finschhafen Lutherans from the Yabêm and Kâte tribe remembered the work of "their" missionary whom they call their church father or tumbuna.

 A lot of them said it would be good if someone like Flierl would come now and bring the good times back.

 It seems that many people believe that we are living in an era of decline, compared with the "time of origin".

Of course it is not possible to bring back the glorious days of the beginning.

But it certainly is time to stop and think about ourselves - who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going to? Is it really Christ we are believing in? Or is it rather our own idea of gaining prosperity and power?

This was Luther's challenging question about the church of his time, and it also is our question today.

He taught us to listen carefully to the message of the gospel, and I am sure, if we do this, then we would be able to perform significant reforms in church and society today.

 And maybe it's time for a "Melanesian Reformation".

But not at all should a Melanesian Reformation try to get rid of the rich heritage of Melanesian cultures.

First of all: the most necessary reformation we are in need of today is a reform of our hearts, a "renewal of our mind", as Paul puts it in Roman 12:2.

After that we should be able to tackle the great problems of our time as is to get rid of leaders lacking any sense of responsibility, to help people who are in danger of being caught by false ideas of cult practice or to prevent so-called "missions" which only destroy the flourishing church life of other denominations.

 We even may be able to bring down the chief enemy, which is this widespread, general carelessness of men and women who only think about to get as much as they can for themselves and who are by no means ready to contribute their part to our common future.

Next year, our seminary will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

From September 17-20, 2009, we will invite others to come to Finschhafen, and together we will "stop and think" about the past, present and future of theological education in Papua New Guinea, and about our possibilities to contribute to a Melanesian Reformation.

Because this country is in desperate need of a change.

All of us should, from time to time, think about that - and start trying to make a difference.

 

 

Funeral programme for the late Ian Clive Boden (please click to enlarge)

Young people are confirmed

Captions: 1. Proud parents Erica and Golonso Buase with son Bingmalu after his confirmation last Sunday. 2. The young people with Pastor Qogi Zonggoreng after being confirmed at Good Sheperd Lutheran Church in Koki last Sunday.

A total of 27 young men and women were confirmed as members of the Lutheran Church at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Koki in Port Moresby last Sunday.

Relatives and families gathered at Koki for the occasion, which was followed by feasts, to celebrate one of the most-important rites of the Lutheran faith.

The confirmation also coincided with Reformation Sunday, which is celebrated by Lutherans all over the world, to commemorate the reforms started by Martin Luther in 1517.

Confirmation marks the completion of the congregation’s programme of confirmation ministry, a period of instructions in the Christian faith as professed in the teachings of the Lutheran Church.

Those who have completed this programme were made members of the church in baptism.

Confirmation includes a public profession of the faith into which the candidates were baptized, thus underscoring God’s action in their baptism.

 

'ACE' Bulolo 2008 Ambrose won by Mapai Transport

The annual PNG Forest Products Bulolo Ambrose three-day golf event in Bulolo last weekend was highlighted by a Hole in One by Chrissie Brunskil of the Amalpack team from Lae.

The annual three-day event held in fine and sunny weather was won by Lae-based Mapai Transport No.1 team, with DJ Wheels from Goroka second and Unitech No.3 third.

The Bulwa Trophy, originally donated in perpetuity to Bulolo Club in 1964 to commemorate the former Bulwa Club, was presented to winners Mapai Transport by president Brian Boustridge, who acknowledged the historical nature of the Bulolo Golf Club.

In his address, Bulolo Club patron Toney Honey acknowledged the growing list of sponsors from within PNG and overseas, without whom the Ambrose would not be what it is.

He congratulated the club on the work put in by a dedicated team of volunteers and welcomed the large number of players who annually make the Bulolo Ambrose such a success.

He also welcomed the large number of new players taking part, which was also good for the future of the game in Bulolo.

The Bulolo Ambrose Weekend is such a popular and sociable event that teams from Port Moresby, Mt. Hagen, Goroka and Ramu and Lae are often joined by players from Australia, NZ, and Philippines.

Results: Gross Winners, DJ Wheels (Goroka) R/Up, Lahanis (Goroka)

Overall Nett Winners: Mapai Transport No.1 (Lae), 2^nd DJ Wheels (Goroka), 3^rd Unitech No2.

Fri/Sat Nett winners: Delixi (Bulolo), 2^nd Bushman (Bulolo), 3^rd Mainland Plumbing Lefties (NZ)

Sat/Sun Nett winners: Mapai Transport No.1 (Lae), 2^nd DJ Wheels (Goroka), 3^rd Unitech No.2 (Lae)

The extraordinary life of Ian Boden

When The National’s news editor Jacqueline Kapigeno told me the sad news of the passing of Ian Boden early this morning, a deep and profound sense of loss went through my heart, a feeling on behalf of all the people of our beloved country Papua New Guinea.

Boden’s is a story that surpasses 40 years in Papua New Guinea, starting as a young Australian Broadcasting Broadcaster in Rabaul in 1964, seeing the birth of the National Broadcasting Commission in 1973, working with a fledgling public service after independence in 1975, working through the dark days of the Bougainville Crisis, starting with a brand new daily newspaper called The National and bringing joy to thousands of people the world over with his writing style, and teaching young Papua New Guineans about journalism until the day he died.

I told Jacqui that earlier this year, while at Divine Word University in Madang, he gave me the rare opportunity to do an in-depth interview with him, however, asked me not to write anything a short while later, as he felt it would be an orbituary.

So I threw my notebook into my cabinet, and forgot all about it, until the news of the passing of this great scribe, broadcaster, thespian and journalist trainer extraordinaire.

I now realise that in fact, Ian gave me the last chance anyone has had to interview him, and that he had granted me an unsual privilege

Read any of the editorials he has written for The National over the last 15 years and you will see that they are unmatched for content and writing style.

His Column 1 has an international following through the online pages of The National.

He was the mainstay of National Broadcasting Commission’s popular radio dramas in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and he was actively involved with the Port Moresby Arts Theatre.

Ian Boden first set foot in Papua New Guinea as a young 23-year-old Australian Broadcasting Commission employee in August 1964.

“I came as a relieving radio announcer for three months,” he told me in that last fateful interview in Madang.

“I was supposed to be going to Rabaul.

“I did go to Rabaul, but from August to Christmas I was in Port Moresby, and then I went to Rabaul.

“9RB (radio station) was the furthest-flung station of the ABC empire.

“Rabaul was it!

“I lived in Rabaul for the next five years.

“It was the kind of station where you had to be a jack-of-all-trades, from playing records to fine tuning broadcasts, in an ad hoc way trying to train PNG staff, something that Port Moresby had started earlier.

“We had quite a collection of Tolai announcers, young guys.

“At least three of them are still alive.

“One of them is Anton Kaut, he was probably the youngest.

“The others were Jack Ainui, Robin Popat and Nelson Bale.

“They were the core of the presenting staff outside of Port Moresby.

“Outside of Port Moresby, there was no ABC station apart from Rabaul.

“The ABC was housed in a Nissan Hut left over from the Second World War, which is still there in Rabaul.

“That building has been everything from a copra storage shed to a Catholic church.

“At the same time in town there was a DIES (Department of Information & Extension Services) station as well.

“Ninety per cent of broadcast was in English.

“The logic behind the station was to provide news and entertainment for all the dimdims (expatriates) in the area who ran plantations.

“There was quite a substantial number of Papua New Guineans in what was substantially a very small radio station.

“We had programmes like Blue Hills which ran twice a day, classical music and religious programmes.

“It was very much European-oriented.

“Sports tended to be European-oriented such as football, cricket, bowls and croquet.

“The town (Rabaul) itself was like something out of a page by Somerset Maugham.

“It was quite remarkable.

“The population was divided into three clearly-defined groups: Australians, Ambonese and Chinese.

“They inhabited what became known as China Town.

“It was an interesting town.

“It had everything going for it

“It had a couple of cinemas: Native Cinema and Palms Cinema.

“There were a lot of expat clubs.

“New Guinea Club, for example, had been started by a German.

“We were in a hostel on the top of Namanula Hill.

“That became the ABC Hostel.

“I built myself a bush material house, and lived there: ‘Boden’s gone tropo’.

“There were so many eccentric people in Rabaul.

“They were straight from the pages of a novel.”

In 1969, Boden got married to Delma from Raluana village in the old registry office in Rabaul, and was transferred to Port Moresby by the ABC.

“I continued with the ABC until 1973, which was self government, at which point a number of us chose to remain on secondment to the NBC,” he continues.

“In fact, I was on the committee that set up the NBC with people like Luke Sela, Sam Piniau and quite a handful of individuals from the ABC.

“If my memories are correct, we started broadcasting on December 1^st, 1973.

“The thing with the NBC was that I had moved away from broadcasting.

“I became a liaison officer between the provincial radio stations and the national station.

“In 1975, immediately after independence, I flew to London and worked for the BBC.

“That came about because I was invited on a further secondment.

“They (BBC) broadcast from London to the South Pacific.

“So I found myself going to London.

“I was there for 14 months, working for BBC World Service.

“Then, more or less for family reasons, I came back (to PNG).

“By this time we had four children.

“I became principal training officer of the NBC.

“That’s how I came into a training role with people like Justin Kili, Memafu Kapera, so on and so on.

“They were already accomplished broadcasters but there was ongoing training.

“There was very good training at that time.

“For one person from each division of provincial government, we could train them to be good announcers, for purely the interests of their own department.

“By the time we left at the end of three weeks, we had reasonable competent announcers.

“Being radio, this meant that we could reach very remote areas.

“It was a two-way exercise.

“We reached out to them but we also monitored the reaction.

“Apart from that I was involved in producing a lot of radio drama, taking part in a lot of radio drama by people like Peter Trish, who was a very good producer, and lots of people who are very well known today.

“By 1980, I decided it was time to move on.

“I was offered a special project within the very-oddly named Department of Public Service Commission.

“There was a need for this particular project to be done.

“Then they asked me to be ‘Director of Information’’ and acted as a provider of information and statistics for anyone in the PSC.”

In 1986, the government tried to reconstruct the public service, under then Public Service Minister the late Sir Anthony Siaguru, and Ian Boden was actively behind the scenes.

In 1988, he was asked to be Press Secretary to Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu, at a time when the Bouganville Crisis was just about to erupt.

“These were very difficult times, because in 1989, that was the beginning of the Bougainville conflict,” Boden recalls.

“It was obvious that trouble was brewing, and of course, it got worse and worse.

“Bougainville Copper Limited ceased to operate, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was in Kuala Lumpur, (Sir) Rabbie asked me to go to Bougainville and act as a source of information for him.

“I went and a lot of the BRA and other people were aware that I was around.

“I had some meetings with them.

“There were 20 dead people at one time and they maintained that these people had been killed by the PNG Defence Force.

“They asked me to investigate.

“I did investigate but it was extremely difficult.

“It was also difficult to get information back to (Sir) Rabbie.

“I traveled back and forth and was aware of terrible atrocities.

“I went on one occasion with a group of international observers and were to be witness to ‘laying down of arms’.

“An Air Niugini aircraft was sent to pick us up.

“At Kieta, we traveled from there by convoy to what had been Aropa Airport.

“We were stopped at several points along the way.

“One of our numbers, journalist Wally Hiambohn, was pulled out and severely beaten.

“My role in that (Bouganville Crisis) was very minor.

“The election was in 1992 and (Sir) Rabbie lost out by the casting vote of Bill Skate as Speaker.”

Boden remain in politics until the formation of the brand-new The National newspaper in November 1993, when he joined as executive editor.

“I got kicked out of the country in 1999,” he recalls.

“I had written a rather sharp editorial at that time criticising the prime minister of the day.

“I left The National to come to Divine Word University in 2003.”

Boden talks passionately about Papua New Guinea, the country that he has come to call home, as well as the future of journalism in this country.

“It’s a place that has become my home,” he says.

“I’ve developed a great affection for Papua New Guinea and its people and the direction that the country can go in.

“I have to say that after all these years, nothing has changed (for me).

“I still feel the same way about the country and its people.

“I know there are problems.

“I think we become bogged down and we fail to see the very real achievements that are being made.”

I ended my interview with Boden by asking him about Divine Word University and his decision to go there and teach journalism.

“I think, at my age, that it’s great to have the opportunity to pass on whatever skills you might have and watch young tertiary students seize the chance and rapidly become competent media personnel.

“We have people just about anywhere and everywhere.

“We have people in the mainstream media, in NGOs, government information units, large-scale resource companies like Porgera and Lihir and in the realm of corporate enterprise and statutory bodies.

“I suppose the ultimate goal of young Papua New Guineans is to see personal development opportunities, and through their contributions, ensure the development of the country.”

 

 

Philemon passes his condolences on passing of Boden

Former Media Council president and Post-Courier editor-in-chief Oseah Philemon has extended his condolences to management and staff of The National, family, friends, colleagues and students of the late Ian Boden on his sudden passing early this (Monday, November 03, 2008) morning.

Mr Philemon was sitting at a roadside cafeteria in Lae yesterday morning when his son Moses called him from Divine Word University in Madang to inform him of Mr Boden’s passing at Modilon Hospital in Madang.

He immediately called The National to pass on his condolences.

“I want to extend to the management and staff of The National, and the administration and students of Communication Arts at Divine Word University, my deepest condolences and sympathy for the untimely passing of Ian Boden,” Mr Philemon said.

“Ian was a man of inspiration.

“He inspired many young journalists and students with his style of writing and also his wide experience in journalism.

“His death is a great loss to our attempts to train young journalists for the future.

“Papua New Guinea has lost a great journalist and a great journalism educator.

“He has left a great vacuum at the Divine Word University and it will be very difficult to fill his shoes with the kind of quality and experience he possessed.”