Bible & Conscience: International Online Conference on Martin Luther’s Impact
Bibelseminar Bonn, which has an extension center of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, presents an online event on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s courageous speech at the Diet of Worms. With Luther’s reference to the Bible and his conscience as his guiding principles, the Reformation gained tremendous momentum. The modern understanding of conscience can be traced back to Luther.
“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.”
Conscience is being shaped by many factors like family, education, culture, religion, and zeitgeist. Conscience is neither neutral nor objective. Luther’s appeal to conscience had positive and negative consequences. Christians felt compelled by their conscience to contribute to the ongoing divisions of the church, the existence of 45.000 denominations (2019). It would be safe to assume that it was not always the Holy Spirit who caused a church or denomination to split.
The event helps to think about this question: “How often and by what do I calibrate my conscience?”
16 international speakers will give 15-minutes presentations with 5 minutes afterwards for questions and comments. There will be no recording. A live participation during the below-mentioned time slots is the only way to see the presentations and ask questions. This event will cover both history and current events.
This free event will be offered via Zoom on Friday, 4/16 and Saturday, 4/17, both from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Berlin time(ET: 12:30-3:30 PM) in German and in English with simultaneous translations. Sign up for free until 04/15/2021.
Lecture topics include the following: “The Bible and Conscience in Three Important Spanish Reformers” with Dr. Octavio Esqueda, “The Role of the Conscience among the Anabaptists” with Dr. Dietmar Schulze, “The Relationship between Bible and Conscience in the Russian-German Context of Free Churches” with Dr. Ralf Schowalter, and “Lutheran Mission among Dalits in Pandur, Tamil Nadu” with Dr. Jayabalan Murthy.