Two shots of books in this post. (Books is the City Daily Photo group's Nov. 1 theme.)
The same book, the Bible, but in two vastly different moods.
Knowing the church would be packed for All Saints and All Souls Days (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1), Martin Luther seized the day to nail his "95 Theses" protest on the Wittenberg church door. That was back in 1517 and till today Protestants mark Oct. 31 as Reformation Day, including here in Jerusalem.
Well, Luther was no friend of the Jews, to put it mildly, so you won't find a statue of him in Israel (unless there is one I don't know of, tucked away in some Lutheran church). So to illustrate Reformation Day I have to open my photo archive from when I lived in lovely Switzerland (2002-3).
Meet Guillaume Farel (1489-1565), fiery French preacher, a founder of the Reformed Church in the Francophone cantons of Switzerland.
He guards the door to the old (begun in 1185) Collegiale in Neuchatel, Switzerland. Click on the first photo to see his face and understand why, whenever I entered this basilica, I would duck in quickly to avoid his wrath!
The pulpit Bible is more friendly-looking than the one in Farel's hands.
This 14-th century cenotaph is a grand piece of Gothic art, the only monument of its kind outside Italy. Fortunately it escaped the iconoclastic frenzy of the Reformers in 1530. The citizens did not have the heart to destroy their own noblemen in this Monument of the Neuchatel Counts.
I loved to look at them while hearing marvelous free organ concerts the church gave one Friday each month.
What is this one holding, another book, a scroll??BTW, a major dig around Luther's house was just completed. Interesting stuff in Der Spiegel's article entitled "THE REFORMER'S RUBBISH, Archaeologists Unveil Secrets of Luther's Life."
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A very interesting tour. You are right the old gentleman didn't look too happy. I think I might have avoided his church.
ReplyDeleteIt is the JOY of the Lord that is my strength.
Wow, what a story and your pictures are very nice. Yes, I would duck my head also upon entering his church! Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog! I enjoyed reading yours.
ReplyDeleteDina, what a great take on theme day. Love the history!
ReplyDeleteGreat text Dina, with very nice photos...
ReplyDeleteGood post, yes !
thank You !
I have read some of Luther's writings on the Jews, and you are right , he was no friend. I wonder how much his writing affected Hitler's ability to get his countrymen to persecute and destroy.
ReplyDeleteAn Arkie's Musings
You really have some very nice photos here about books. You are right on for theme day.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about this being theme day about books but I found some that I wrote and put them online.
Beautiful photos, as always. So much hate has been caused in the name of religion. So sad. :(
ReplyDeleteFortunately many protestants don't agree with Luther on the issue of the Jewish people. He was right in many respects about the way the Roman Catholic Church at that time was working. But it has all changed now.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a font of information, and all of it's interesting. Do you have it all in your head?
ReplyDeleteHey Dina- thanks for your messages!! I liked this post- after my 'special' Moldavian churches, i do love that Gothic look...
ReplyDeletewow! i like the cenopaths! if i were there, ill definitely look for a token or a souvenir that represent such gothic art.
ReplyDeletethese book posts are wonderful; it took a long time before people could make books affordable enough for everyone to read - i cannot imagine a world without books in any field in life...
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for the intersting lesson. That statue is definitely scary looking. Are you planning to go back to Switzerland sometime?
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, as long as there is Grandchamp and as long as they accept volunteers, yes, for sure, I'll be back to Switzerland. I can't stay away for very long.
ReplyDeleteFriends, thanks for your comments. So interesting to learn your opinions and reactions.
ReplyDeleteTo answer Petrea's question--no no, the info in my posts most often does not come straight from my head. Even if I think I know something, I check the facts in books or Internet or resource people before posting. It is fun to research a subject; blogging has taught me so much.
Ah, I wondered. Yes, I have to look it up, too. And the research is half the fun!
ReplyDeleteFascinating as always Dina! I always leave smarter than I came.
ReplyDelete*hug*