Encounter with Religions of Jerusalem 7th Session - 16th January 2008:

Bi-weekly course jointly organized jointly by Interfaith Encounter Association and Mevakshei Derech Community

The seventh session of the course took place on January 16th with Pastor Ulrika Wolrov who presented the Protestant Reform Christian community.

PLEASE NOTE that the eighth session will take place on Wednesday, January 30th (at 19:30, 22 Shai Agnon, Jerusalem) with Rabbi Moshe Dabach, who will present the Karaite community.

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The Protestant Church started with Luther – a German monk who posted his 95 principles on the door. He focused on the direct connection, without mediation, between God and humans. This was in the 15th century, when humanistic ideas started to grow. Following Guttenberg's establishing of printing - many people could read could read his ideas and they spread all over Germany. Luther taught that every individual is important and not only the community as a whole, and that God is merciful and not only punishing. People used to think how small they are and how big God is and derive fears from that. Luther said that God is like an oven full of love to people and they should not be so afraid. The best example for him was Jesus that was sent by God to save the people. Unlike the Catholics, who believe that in the Eucharist the wine becomes the blood of Jesus, Luther explained in a more spiritual way.

He established reforms in the church: he said there is no need for monks but for regular people – and married a nun; he said that there is no need for a priest to connect people with God and that everyone can do it himself and read the Bible in his own language; and that only the bible and directly through Jesus can bring people to heaven.

In the 16th century there were others who joined. In Zurich, Zwingli agreed with Luther, except for the Eucharist (where he thought the wine only symbolizes Jesus' blood). So did Calvin in Geneva. About forty years ago it was decided that all streams can celebrate the Eucharist together.

The Protestants do not consider important the stations of the Via Dolorosa and do not accept the Holy Sepulchre, as it is not likely that a grave will be situated inside the city walls.

The Protestants celebrate the Confirmation ceremony in which the 14 years old children reconfirm their belief.

The Reforms (who follow Zwingli) differ from the Lutherans in the point of the Eucharist.

In the Protestant Churches women can be pastors and lead communities. There are also women bishops.

Augusta Victoria includes a church that receives groups of pilgrims from Germany. They also organize meetings between Jews, Christians and Muslims. In the same compound on the Mount of Olives there is also a hospital.

In the Holy Land the Lutheran Church includes some 3,000 people – in Beit Jalla, Amman and other places. In the German Lutheran community there are 200 members.

Reported by Pnina Caplan


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