Whew! So far, this has been a week of close battles unparalleled in Lent Madness history. On Monday Mechtild of Magdeburg defeated Odo of Cluny 52% to 48%. On Tuesday Raymond Nonnatus bested Moses the Black 51% to 49%. And yesterday Augustine of Canterbury snuck past Scholastica 51% to 49%.
This heart-pumping saintly action is enough to make you want to do some yoga. Or deep breathing exercises. Or drink some chamomile tea. Something calming! But instead, the battles just keep coming. Today it’s the scrappy Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky taking on the heavyweight Martin Luther. Is an upset in the making? Another tight race? Or will a blowout break the string of hotly contested, halo-busting battles?
Note that yesterday’s battle was not without controversy. The following was posted by the Supreme Executive Committee:
The SEC noticed an irregular surge of votes for Scholastica around midnight. Well over 6,000 votes were found to be cast irregularly in an attack using bots around the world. We have removed what we believe to be the correct amount of votes, and will continue to monitor this race. One person, one vote. If you break this rule, your votes will be removed and you will be cast off into the outer darkness of Lent Madness.
We are confident in the final result. But remember, Big Lent is watching.
Joseph Schereschewsky
SIJ Schereschewsky was a cleric, missionary, and renowned translator of the prayer book and Bible. He knew 13 languages, and spent the last twenty years of his life typing out his translations with the fingers he still could move. (Sources vary on whether it was one or two fingers. Either way–that sounds hard.)
First off, his last name is pronounced “Share-es-shev-ski”. Think of Duke men’s basketball’s famous head coach from that OTHER bracket game for reference.
Schereschewsky’s translation of the Bible into Mandarin was so well-done that it became the standard translation that is still in use today. It took him from 1862-1875, so all that time was clearly justified. But he didn’t stop there. He believed that people couldn’t be truly faithful without also being educated, so he founded St. John’s University at Shanghai, and then went to work translating everything also into Wenli–another Chinese dialect. It was the Wenli manuscript that he meticulously typed out using two fingers, after Parkinson’s disease left him entirely paralyzed. The disease had caused him to resign his seat as the bishop of Shanghai, but he was determined that it should not stop his ministry. He produced over 2,000 pages just by sitting in his chair, and hen-pecking.
His contemporary biographer describes him thus: “paralysed in every limb, and with his powers of speech partly gone, sitting for nearly twenty-five years in the same chair, slowly and painfully typing out with two fingers his Mandarin translation of the Old Testament and Easy Wen-li translation of the whole Bible.”
Schereschewsky grew up Jewish, and until his conversion, intended to be a rabbi. This affinity for Judaism didn’t disappear after his ordination; while in China, a small group of Kaifeng Jews–a tiny minority of Jews who emigrated to central China from Persia in the Middle Ages, came to visit him. This began a friendship, and Shereschewsky gave their community the Hebrew Scriptures that he translated into Mandarin. The community termed it “The Two-Finger Bible” because of Schereschewsky’s disability. This also contributes to the longevity of his biblical translation. Because he knew Hebrew, and understood midrash and rabbinic ideas, modern scholar Irene Eder notes that his version “can be regarded as the only Chinese Old Testament to reflect not only the traditional Jewish text but to also included elements of the Jewish exegetical tradition.”
Regarding his work, he said, “I have sat in this chair for over twenty years. It seemed very hard at first. But God knew best. He kept me for the work for which I was best fitted.”
Martin Luther
Martin Luther’s life was filled with quirky meanderings. The path of his life bemused even him, “I am the son of a peasant…and the grandson and the great grandson. My father wanted to make me into a burgomaster. He went to Mansfeld and became a miner. I became a baccalaureate and a master. Then I became a monk and put off the brown beret. My father didn’t like it, and then I got into the pope’s hair and married an apostate nun. Who could have read that in the stars?” (Table Talk).
When he discovered that the people living around Wittenberg were not properly schooled in the basics of the faith, he wrote the Small Catechism, proposing this learning regimen “Children should be taught the habit of reciting [the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Our Father] daily… Until they recite them they should be given nothing to eat or drink.”
Luther took his faith and work seriously, but he also loved life: “Tomorrow I have to lecture on the drunkenness of Noah, so I should drink enough this evening to be able to talk about that wickedness as one who knows by experience.”
“Whenever the devil harasses you, seek the company of men or drink more, or joke and talk nonsense, or do some other merry thing. Sometimes we must drink more, sport, recreate ourselves, and even sin a little to spite the devil, so that we leave him no place for troubling our consciences with trifles. We are conquered if we try too conscientiously not to sin at all. So when the devil says to you: do not drink, answer him: I will drink, and right freely, just because you tell me not to.”
And, scholars throughout history have been amused, occasionally appalled, by his scatological humor and insults: “Almost every night when I wake up the devil is there and wants to dispute with me. I have come to this conclusion: When the argument that the Christian is without the law and above the law doesn’t help, I instantly chase him away with a fart.” (Table Talk)
“Perhaps you want me to die of unrelieved boredom while you keep on talking.” (Luther’s Works)
And, some things haven’t changed even 500 years after Luther so pointedly highlighted time-wasting meetings: “If you who are assembled in a council are so frivolous and irresponsible as to waste time and money on unnecessary questions, when it is the business of a council to deal only with the important and necessary matters, we should not only refuse to obey you, but consider you insane or criminals.” (Luther’s Works).
Joseph Schereschewsky vs. Martin Luther
- Martin Luther (52%, 4,216 Votes)
- Joseph Schereschewsky (48%, 3,853 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,069
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Love this guy, and his wicked humor
I love Luther’s sense of humor along with the fact that he took his faith seriously and he saw the importance of teaching children to do the same by writing the Small Catechism. Luther won me over.
Guys he’s Luther. Come on.
Gotta go with Schereschewsky, otherwise known to some of us as St. Sam!
St. Sam, indeed! Met some of my best friends through him!
I have to vote for Bishop Schereschewsky because my grandfather worked at St. John’s University as a missionary surgeon and my great-uncle, Henry St. George Tucker (who was bishop in Japan), met Bishop Schereschewsky when he was in Japan toward the end of his death. So I feel like he helped shape my life!
I mean, geeze, right?!
Thank you, Beth Lewis. I had no idea Luther had a sense of humor.
You might like to read The Wit of Martin Luther [Eric W. Gritsch].
Me, either! He was a right lively fellow, it appears! I find myself completely enamored.
You’d have to have a sense of humor to nail your feces to a church door.
An old joke and still a classic.
While Joe S. is deserving of this honor, Martin Luther is having a bg anniversary this year. So I vote for him . Plus, he made me laugh!
I agree – both reasons to vote for Luther. But really, Luther is running behind? What are people thinking!!!!!! 🙂
Luther may have had humor but he was anti-semitic and thought it was fine for peasants to be terrorized and killed.
And, apparently, he knew he served a loving and forgiving God.
Amen!
and he abused his wife. other than that . . .
I think this is a better assessment of Katie Luther and her relationship with Martin – considered ahead of its time in some ways and positive overall by the majority of scholars I’ve read: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmDmnVwYHlI (Still, I’m sure it wouldn’t meassure up to standards for marriage today in many ways.) As for Martin’s upset over the Peasants Revolt, this article might help briefly explain the broader theological, ecoomic and political context: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/German_Peasants'_revolt (Yes, the peasants were crushed – in many cases mercilessly – but the peasants killed many people without mercy as well. It was a horrific conflict.)
Thanks for posting the link to YouTube about Katie. It was fascinating. Luther called her The Morning Star of Wittenberg.
We’re thinking that Joseph deserves some recognition. People already know enough about Luther. I especially like Joseph’s devotion to his Jewish roots. Christians know woefully little about that great faith tradition, the faith in which we have our roots.
Agree, agree. Joseph’s ecumenical bent won me over. In light of his devotion to his call, he shows more Christian spirit. And I think he probably had a sense of humor.
Joseph was Jewish. Of Course he had a sense of humor! I voted for him because of his apparently excellent translation of the OT.
I know a lot of our Jewish roots. I also understand the spiritual freedom I have because of Martin Luther’s life and work. He reformed the faith into something Jesus would recognize. There’d be no Sam but for ML.
I was ready to vote for Fr. S, but Beth’s recounting of Luther’s humor moved the dial. Our Muskegon Museum of Art is fortunate to have Cranach’s portraits of Luther and “the apostate nun.” I am going to visit them again today and look again at the face of the man who changed/saved/reformed Christianity.
A very hard choice again (and so far, looks like another nail-biter). Luther’s remarks on the enjoyment of the gifts of creation as a way to chase away the devil were attractive, but his condemnation of church councils put off this General Convention junkie. And SIJ Schereschewsky’s devoted faithfulness and honoring of Jewish roots won my vote.
Jack, I may be wrong, but from the bio I got the impression that Luther was criticizing secular councils (like town councils), not church councils.
*his* Jewish roots
OUR Jewish roots!!
As a convert myself, I had to go with Bishop Schereschewsky.
Sorry, Lutherans, but I had to vote for Schereschewsky. As a young chorister we once had a visiting preacher at Evensong who told his story, dramatically emphasizing “Two Fingers!” by holding up the middle finger of each hand. At 13, this was hysterical.
That sounds more like Luther’s humor!
As a Chinese Chew/Zhou/Jue/Jew from a family of Christian ministers, the vote for me is clear.
Luther’s getting drunk to know how Noah felt was compelling (A Might Fortress is our G-d!). The “Children should be taught the habit of reciting … Until they recite them they should be given nothing to eat or drink” WAS NOT!
So here is my uplifted thumbs up to one [or two fingered] Hebraic scholar of Shanghai, and hopes for an “unexpected” winner.
May all of us remember that even if “very hard at first…G-d knew [knows] best. He kept [keeps] me for the work for which I was best fitted.”
For those who do not know about the Kaifeng Jews – the people of the “pluck sinew religion” – it is a fascinating one.
Thank you for this reminder to do some research. One encounters the most interesting people (including across time!) during Lent Madness…
Martin Luther for his sense of humour!
Having friends with MS makes me sensative to their plight and struggle to do what they want to do. So Joeseph S has my vote for all the effort he put into translating scripture for all to read.
Wow! Thanks! (I have MS too.) I’m torn between the candidates and am reading the comments to help with my decision. Your insight is moving.
Thank you also for being a good friend to your friends with MS. May their abilities outweigh their disabilities.
I too was moved by Joseph S’s determination in the face of great physical odds. I am continually awed by the persistance of individuals I have known who have cerebral palsy, Lou Geherig’s Disease and other challenges. What a saint!
Schereschewsky sounds cool, but this is Martin’s big year plus I am a German Lutheran with those roots going back to the days of Martin. Next year Schereschewsky!
Once again this is a hard choice. Luther’s humor and attitude about meetings got my vote today.
Hmmm, Luther was all in with drinking and laughing and carrying on for himself. But he directed withholding food and drink from CHILDREN to force their rote memorization!?!
What? If the Celebrity Blogger wanted to bias me against Luther, that was more than sufficient. I went with the patient and persistent Fr. Sam, who quietly gave people the means to know scripture in their own language – and withheld from them nothing.
I made the same decision for the same reason. Luther accomplished some amazing and wonderful things, but I have a feeling that spending time with him in person might have been less fun than we would expect!
I have to honor my upbringing and vote for Martin Luther. Must say I did all the memorizing, but was never threatened with the withholding of food or drink. And then there is my favorite hymn–A Mighty Fortress Is My God. How else could I vote?
My Dad & Grandfather were from northern Germany & I served in the US Army for a tour in that land. Roots are of value, as was Martin’s zest for life and expressing his feelings and thoughts on Christian life. Cheek out Rick Steves recent TV special on PBS: the reformation 500th anniversary. We cheer for Luther to do well.
Sorry, Meghan, Coach K & Duke are no longer playing in the “Other Bracket”, they are at home watching their players leave for the NBA’s D(uke)-League. Carolina and Martin Luther keep fighting on. Go Tar Heels! Martin Luther for the win!
Who knew Martin Luther was so snarky….
Yet one more thing to like about the guy.
Lots of Lutherans knew! 🙂
I voted for Joseph because of his interesting name. And he is a great linguist, which I wanna be.
Well played
Joseph. Just because. “Two fingered Bible?” Loved and accepted Jews when others did not (including Martin)! Sure Martin changed the world, and spawned the English Reformation. And Martin spent a year in Wartburg Castle translating the New Testament into German. And stage theorist Erik Erikson loved Luther’s conflict with his dad enough to write a psychoanalytic study of it! But Joseph’ quiet, faithful devotion to his people, with no drama, his ministry to the Chinese, his immense suffering with his disability . . . Joseph all the way to the Golden Halo!
It was a delightful surprise to know that Martin Luther had a sense of humor. Who knew?? It almost swayed me, but I voted for “Two Fingers”. He persevered in spite of an enormous disability.
Hi Beverly, I’m going with Sam too….he must have been a brilliant and patient man.
Maybe two votes by two votes, all the way to the end, his fans will come through for him with a come from behind victory of perserverance.
447 went for him, too, but as of this morning it’s not looking good for the man with the “greatest” name of the group. Best of luck today!
Went with Joseph because of his mission work since I am a Maryknoll Lay Missioner. Also for his patience and his interfaith outreach.
Hey, Debbie. I also voted for Joseph (not expecting to see him actually leading at the current time) for his missionary roots, and also for his incredible dedication spending 20+ years typing with two fingers to translate the Bible into Mandarin.
But then again, it seems everybody today types with two fingers. Do they still teach typing in high school?
No, because now everyone uses a smart phone and types with their thumbs!!
Well, many of us are stylus fans!
Good question. I think they teach “keyboard skills” but at an earlier age and I’m not sure those include touch typing. Though many kids know their way around a keyboard much better than they can write with a pen. My children read cursive only with difficulty and I don’ t think they ever write using it.
I was all set to vote for Schereschewsky because of 20 years translating the Bible using one or two fingers. But then I read of Martin Luther’s humor from his own writings. I’d always seen him as very stern. As someone who has to waste time in a lot of meetings his quote “If you who are assembled in a council are so frivolous and irresponsible as to waste time and money on unnecessary questions, when it is the business of a council to deal only with the important and necessary matters, we should not only refuse to obey you, but consider you insane or criminals.” (Luther’s Works). really resonated with me. So I ended up voting for Luther.
I’ll drink to that!
I didn’t like Martin’s idea that children shouldn’t be fed until reciting but the last quote sold me.
I voted for Martin Luther. Let’s go Tar Heels!
Well, in a series of very close votes, my bracket has been destroyed.
Martin Luther was an advocate for short meetings!
No one can question Luther’s impact on his and our world, or his sense of humor. But the fact is he was also a vicious anti-Semite. When he is up against a converted Jew who retained, respected his Jewish roots and tradition and translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Chinese despite debilitating disease, for me there is no comparison. Joseph S. gets my vote.
I’m with you on this, Ann.
You said it. Go Joe!
In some glorious time in the future we will finally stop pretending that Luther was an outlier with respect to antisemitism. Indeed, his views would have been quite at home in America up to the Second World War.
We all want to forget the people who sought refuge here and were sent back to Europe to go up the stacks of crematorium chimneys. We have little to boast of, so let us end this nonsense pretending that Luther was some kind of anomaly. He certainly was not. Doesn’t make it right; makes it about par for the course among all of our ancestors.
Sadly true.
Voted for each of them in round 1. This time it’s SIJS for the same season.
Precisely.
Precisely in reference to Ann Cooper’s comment. Luther was a raging antisemite. Also, while some praise Luther for his wit and sense of humor – I find many of his utterances simply vulgar and self-righteous.
Soon Lent Madness will end and it will be Holy Week and we will reflect upon the cross.
The crowd says, “Crucify him.”
The one being crucified says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Perhaps this tells us why we label our attempts to vote about sainthood as Madness!
Or, perhaps we can just be what we are: forgiven yet still silly.
ML sounds like the Howard Stern of his time – ML can be considered the King of all Protestants! I am a huge Howard fan so I had to vote for ML.
Martin Luther! Gotta love a guy that figures going to the local pub to down a few brews is actually equivalent to researching his next sermon.
And who knows, perhaps even Schereschewsky would give two thumbs up to that strategy!
I share with you a reflection I posted several years ago:
http://faithatease.com/2011/02/
Incidentally, the singer I mention is a particular favorite of the Episcopal Bishop of the diocese of Georgia.
Schereschewsky gets my vote! His winess reminds us all that ” no arm so weak but may do service here.”
ROFL~Go Luther!
How can I not vote for one whose name rhymes with that of Coach K! And like Coach K, Joseph S. experienced success and overcame adversity.
OK, as long as you recall that Coach K. is, like Luther, a battler with devils, especially blue.
Somehow it doesn’t seem right that we should talk so much about beer and not about the Luther Bible — the German translations largely responsible for regularizing the German language — especially when Luther is up against the language saint. But the funnies are good.
I’ll drink to that!
Ditto!
I think there might be a two-fingered typo. Instead of “hen-pecking” he probably was hunt-and-pecking!
Martin Luther – for drinking and farting the devil away!!!!
Is this an Episcopal Plot?
The quotes attributed to Martin are a bit too much for me! Although I have only gotten 1 out of the 5 saints in the Saintly 16, I am casting my vote for Joseph…he labored so long to get the word out in a language people could read and understand. That, my friends, is dedication, not frivolous one bit!
Although Sam is certainly deserving, Martin’s view of time wasted discussing minutiae in meetings got me. My peeve as well. Amen to that, Martin.
They are both good, but it is the 500th anniversary if the Reformation, so this year, Luther it is!
Sam S. is very appealing and I’d vote for him if he were up against anyone else. But it’s hard to vote against the leading figure of the Reformation in his anniversary year. Without him, the religious denominations that most of us belong to probably wouldn’t exist.
Finally an intelligent response! Sad how few people seem to understand Luther’s contribution. Maybe Episcopalians are more Catholic than they think they are.
Good point. As an Episcopalian, I know that I’m more Catholic than I think I am.
Love your comment!! Me too!
On an aside though. I voted for saintly Sam. Having had a father who drank more than enough to engage the devil in our home, I found Martin’s comments very disturbing.
Am I wrong thinking without Luther daring to translate Scripture into Deutsch, Fr. S would not even Harper thought to translate it into anything else? Isn’t Luther the origin of ‘Scripture in our own language’? Or do I have him confused with Wycliffe? (Still not sure how I’m voting…)
.’..not even HAVE thought…’ Must proofread before iPad runs off with the language!
Nevertheless, the idea of harpering a thought has its appeal!
We certainly have Luther to thank for getting bibles into the hands and minds of the laity. Prior to him, the non-clergy were not trusted with Holy Scripture. His radical views altered the world!
Of course the Church was crying out for reform in Luther’s day; for reform in its theology, liturgy, spirituality, and internal politics. There’s no doubt about it. But the bitterness and lovelessness in Luther’s rhetoric helped to ensure that the reform was accompanied by Christians breaking communion and fellowship with each other. I don’t think we should ever honour the breach of fellowship for which Luther was responsible.
Luther claimed that one should sin boldly (so that grace may abound). That is my motto. Had to vote for him.
I’m right there with Luther on the meetings quote! Still, I went with Schereschewsky because of his passion for finishing his translation task and his inclusion of a minority Jewish population in China. May the best saint eek out a victory!
Joseph for his ecumenical heart.
Wow! Luther’s humor tipped the scales for me this morning!
I’ve had a grudge against Martin Luther my whole life, but I keep finding myself obliged to vote for him after learning more about him from the Lent Madness blogs. Maybe Lent Madness can help me get past my prejudices and see what good there was in the man. Thanks.
This friend speaks my mind. Though I haven’t yet decided for whom to vote.
With apologies to Tom Lehrer:
One mensch deserves the credit,
one mensch deserves the fame,
and Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky is his name! (two fingers — Oy!)
To the Supreme Executive Committee: HELP. I accidentally posted several hymns in place of the one for today. Please delete so I can post just the one. Thanks! Diana
I think I took care of this? Just one?
Thank you so much, Tim. Re-posting just ONE hymn and voting just once.
Lisa- WONDERFUL! I’ve appreciated Tom Lehrer for years, but you really nailed it. Thanks.
Ha ha ha!
I wrote a paper on Lobachevsky when I was in junior high school. Most of what I read about him was intensely boring. Thank you, Tom Lehrer, for amusing me when I was twelve years old, and thank you, Lisa, for reminding me of the song!
Thanks for the Tom Lehrer link. And I believe also that Lehrer’s song was, itself, a parody of a Danny Kaye routine.
So it looks like God helped Joseph S turn lemons into lemonade, which apparently Martin Luther would drink after adding a little something to it. Interesting choices.
My favorite attributed to Martin Luther: Sin boldly, but rejoice more boldly still in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And he gave us “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!”
When it comes to Joseph Schereschewsky, one should remember there are actually two saints involved. It took someone, namely his wife, to advance the typewriter row by row and remove and replace the sheets of paper. A Chinese character manual typewriter is not a simple machine to operate.
Joseph Schereschewsky’a wife is an example of enduring love for all clergy wives everywhere.
Great point!
Thank you for your observation, Diane.
Wow. Thanks, Diane, for showing us that Joseph’s wife was an indispensable partner in his translation of the scriptures.
I had not expected Lent Madness and the #ThanksForTyping conversation on twitter to collide, but there you have it!
Martin and Lewis make a great comedy team today, but for me it’s Just a Saint Named Joe who has stolen my heart. He shared the word in so many ways and so many worlds. He overcame disease, resisted despair, and advanced his own digital ministry. I’d love to see a Golden Halo on this guy, and some giant purple Schereschewsky foam fingers in the Lentorium.
Joseph Schereschewsky, of course.
I am more of a Martin Luther boy myself, but I am glad that you are voting, and I respect your opinion. I am 12.
I protest this travesty!!!!
To the Supreme Executive Committee: HELP. I accidentally posted several hymns in place of the one for today. Please delete so I can post just the one. Thanks! Diana
This is the first time that i was not so much able to vote for someone as i felt the need to vote against Luther. I had to do this based on the fact that Luther was an antisemite. He wrote a number of papers that were full of antisemitism, papers that Hitler later used to justify his “final solution”. This is well documented if you do not believe me.
You are absolutely right, Anthony. It is an ongoing grief to me that so many who claim to follow Jesus justify hatred of Jesus’ people – and our ancestors in faith.
I agree, Anthony–especially since Schereschewsky was a Jew who converted but still embraced his Jewish heritage–even translating the Hebrew Scriptures for Chinese Jews.
Loved Luther’s humor and attitude towards time wasting but really hated his idea that children should not be fed until they learn the catechism. Had to go with Joseph Schereschewsky for his quite and steadfast faithfulness.
I really like Joseph C., and I am somewhat appalled by Martin Luther’s quote about children, although perhaps it was in jest like some of the other quotes. However, I don’t think Joseph C. would have even been allowed to accomplish his greatest works without Martin Luther breaking the way (translate the bible? The nerve!), so I’m going with Martin.
I HOPE his quote re: children was in jest, along the line of Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.”
I agree. The blogger makes Luther seem mean. Had to go with gentle Bishop Sam!
Tyndale, Bede, and others translated the Bible into English long before Luther; and Jerome’s Vulgate was a translation too. True, the Church in Luther’s time disapproved, but translation was nothing new.
Knowing 13 languages gets my vote for ‘Sam.’
Since it is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation which rippled across
Europe and the world my vote went to Martin Luther!
What an ironic matchup: a Jewish convert who treated Jews with respect, whom Luther would have celebrated for his conversion, against an anti-semite. Lots of quotations from Luther in the above description. Here are a few more, written after Luther concluded that treating Jews with compassion wouldn’t result in wholesale conversion, and therefore, felt that perhaps “sharp mercy” would work better (quotes edited for brevity, not to distort the message — full quotations can be found by Googling):
“First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians, and do not condone or knowingly tolerate such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of his Son and of his Christians….
“Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies….
“Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them….
“Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb….
“Fifth, I advise that safe conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside, since they are not lords, officials, tradesmen, or the like. Let they stay at home [one presumes, given the second item quoted above, that “home” means a barn or open space with a roof, as their houses are to be razed]….
“Sixth [in which Luther suggests robbing Jews and bribing them to convert], I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for safekeeping. The reason for such a measure is that, as said above, they have no other means of earning a livelihood than usury, and by it they have stolen and robbed from us all they possess. Such money should now be used in no other way than the following: Whenever a Jew is sincerely converted, he should be handed one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred florins, as personal circumstances may suggest. With this he could set himself up in some occupation for the support of his poor wife and children, and the maintenance of the old or feeble. For such evil gains are cursed if they are not put to use with God’s blessing in a good and worthy cause.”
I was baptized in the Lutheran church, but once I learned of this history I stopped being a fan of Luther. Despite his heroic status, I think he fails to represent Jesus’ teachings or example. Schereschewsky, on the other hand, well represents Jesus, and therefore he gets my vote.
As an Italian-Irish Lutheran convert from Catholicism with Jewish ancestors, I’m quite sensitive to the rightful disdain over Luther’s anti-semitism, but it should be noted the writings quoted above were in his later life when mental illness likely had set in and he was frustrated that the theology of the Reformation hadn’t resulted in jewish converts. This doesn’t excuse them, but Luther is the same person who wrote: “…[M]any people are proud with marvelous stupidity when they call the Jews dogs, evildoers, or whatever they like, while they too, and equally, do not realize who or what they are in the sight of God.” In early writings, he advised kindness toward the Jews in that Jesus Christ was born a Jew, but to be fair, his aim was often to convert Jewish believers to Christianity. Martin Luther was a complicated person of his time with opinions evolving and changing throughout his life – not all of them cogent or good. If you can’t get past his anti-semitic ideas (similar to those of his contemporaries and a sin of which our entire Christian faith and heritage has been stained with), so be it, but there is much more to this sinner-saint. In the end, I trust God was gracious to him. Compare the United Kingdom, where the persecution of English Jews dated back at least to the Medieval era of King Edward I. He decreed that all Jews in his kingdom must wear a yellow star to identify them in public. All the heads of Jewish households were arrested, many taken to the Tower and executed. Finally, in 1290 King Edward banished all Jews from England (at least he tried). Anti-semitism remained rife in the English church of the Reformation period and beyond. In 1994, the ELCA made a formal apology for our anti-semitic heritage and complicity: http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Declaration_Of_The_ELCA_To_The_Jewish_Community.pdf?_ga=1.246712580.1608936930.1435154425
Thank you for educating me about Martin Luther’s earlier writings advocating kindness to Jews, Lou. I’m still going through the comments while I try to decide which candidate to support, and yours is very helpful indeed.
And now in the USA we have a surge of anti-Semitism and a notorious anti-Semite in the White House as an advisor to the president.
I chose Joseph Schereschewsky because he last name is kinda funny but also cool. And I have a cousin named Joseph
Most people stricken with paralysis would give up. I have to vote for someone who kept on even though battling a horrific illness. What an inspiration!
I hope that Luther’s remark about making children recite actually means simply that they should do the recitations before breakfast.
Both of these extraordinarily energetic men translated the Word, stood up for learning, and planted churches. I still have to go with Bishop Samuel, over the issue of respect for our Jewish parents in faith, and because of the great damage of schism. I know Luther did not intend to break away, but break away he did, and set up the long and bitter tradition of Protestantism — “when there is conflict, anathematize and disfellowship your rivals, and declare yourself and your followers the true heirs of the primitive church.”
For Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky and Martin Luther
Tune: Down Ampney, Hymnal ’82, 516, Come Down O Love Divine
Come Holy Guide in time
To help us to divine
‘twixt saint whose name can’t be spelled and one easy.
Faithful in many ways
Each gave to all his days
The service found within his heart and fingers.
Sam took the humble way;
Sought truth without dismay.
In Scripture found new life, fresh truth and wisdom.
Used every gift he bore,
Gave ‘til he had no more,
Found Grace within a body fully broken.
Martin sure nailed Rome’s gaffes
Which wanted none to ask
The difference ‘twixt Christ’s teachings and their practice.
His jokes were often crude!
(To Henry 8 quite rude!)
Still he shook up the world, ‘twas for the better.
And so whome’re we choose
Christ’s servants cannot lose.
They each have given what they had to offer.
We all have those we like
For golden halo bright!
Whoever wins the Reign of God won’t suffer.
Very good, Diana!
You never fail us!
Excellent! Especially the last line; both Scott and Tim always remind us that all these saints already have the true Golden Halo.
Also, “Come Down, O Love Divine” is one of my favorite hymns and hymn tunes.
Voting Luther for two reasons: 1) A Mighty Fortress is my favorite hymn 2) S.knowing 17 languages makes me think he needs a life. (I know it is my jealousy of people who pick up languages easily.
BTW to the SEC, if I was a conspiracy theorist I would claim you are fixing the voting. Next we will be hearing about who votes are being discounted due to hanging chads. LOL
Meow woof says the dog cat
I want a coffee mug that says Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky.
We’re gonna need a bigger mug.
Luther might suggest a beer mug!
SIJS Baptism is in the register of Trinity, Pittsburgh but some years ago, The Living Church claimed a Baptism for him
elsewhere. I have never been able to solve that mystery… Can anyone help?
Great to hear from a fellow Deputy, George.
And very cool about his baptism in the parish register.
Does anyone else have Tom Lehrer running through their head? Schereschewsky’s name would fit perfectly in this song.
Although I am not suggesting that translating the Bible is plagiarism.
Hahaha! Well, at least that got “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” out of my head!
How do you embed the video directly into the text box? Please explain.
When I copied the link from YouTube, it just appeared.
Thanks.
Lisa Keppeler does! See the comment she posted earlier this morning with a parody of “Lobachevsky.”
Didn’t before, but it is now. (Running through my head, that is.)
You are welcome.
OMG, yes!
Throughout my life, Luther and his contribution to the development of the church was appreciated and we are all products of his reformation, but today contest is on what is written here in this text, and that is what these two should be judge on, not our own previous knowledge. It is clear that Sam has to beat Luther. I must say it is an “unfair competition” but so can be life when Human is the exam writer, the examiner and the test corrector. Accomplishment against Humor????????
Joseph – as I head off to a long meeting! I can’t resist the two-finger typing and his dedication overall.
Luther’s thoughts on meetings almost got my vote, but it’s the other quotes that didn’t get in–the anti-Semitic ones–that make me unable to vote for him. Also, Father Sam is awesome. The story about the Hebrew Bible translation for the Kaifeng Jews would probably have swayed me no matter who his opponent might be.
Hey, hey! Wait a minute! Who’s to say the 6K votes for Scholastica was not a saintly inspired storm of ballits? I hope you guys did not annoy you know Who. I AM just sayin’…
Ballots, not ballits!
Let’s just beer-it!
Well, at least I can’t see why the Russians would have any interest in Scholastica, do you?
Your bio today of Luther made him sound like a bum. Let’s not forget that he translated the Bible into the language of the common people and loudly chastised the Roman Catholic Church for its practice of selling indulgence to get into heaven. He put forth the concept of grace and, despite his somewhat surly behavior he was a devoted husband and father. You clearly steered today’s vote in favor of the other guy.
How will you fit Joseph’s name on the winning mug?
2 lines.
Thanks to Sofie, Ann Cooper, Anthony, and Diana. An Anti-Semite vs. a Jew; no contest. Many years ago there was a quiz show from Hartford featuring “Mr. Sherry,” who was Bp. Schereschevsy’s son. Does anyone else remember?
The show was called What in the World. It was on channel 3.
Well, I’m sticking with Luther, although I am impressed with the Jewish cast to Father S’s thinking. I cannot imagine a better prayer/rebuke to the regime in power right now than Luther’s: “we should not only refuse to obey you, but consider you insane or criminals.” Luther had a strong and earthy sense of humor, which infused his disputation. And yes, he had a medieval peasant’s sometimes brutal and always physical view of order and authority. But perhaps he is the man to fight a brutal golfer; if Luther could fart him out of power, I for one would give thanks.
After being a Lutheran for 69 years before joining the Episcopal church, I thought for sure I’d vote for Luther – but his statement about abusing children to make them learn and justifying drinking by teasing the devil just ended that desire. A man who spent the last years of his life typing bible translations with two fingers is much more saintly.
Luther: “… Until they recite them they should be given nothing to eat or drink.”As a pediatric nurse, I witnessed a father who would not feed his child until she had recited her alphabet (she was 2 years old) and counted to 100. Needless to say, the child was near starvation and the father was charged with abuse. So Luther’s remarks, whether meant literally or ‘humorously’ did not set well with me. Cross him off my list altogether!
Luther’s humor is an acquired taste. And many of his comments (including that on denying children nourishment) are deliberate overstatement, not to be taken literally. Even so, his faults are many, his sins were egregious — but he said so himself. He clung to God’s promise of grace on behalf of Jesus Christ alone, because he knew himself to be a lost, sinful creature. On another day I would vote for Joseph Schereschevsy; but today, here I vote, I can do no other! Father Martin, feet of clay and all.
This should be the year for Luther. We’re celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation – thanks be to God.
Martin Luther’s significance to Christianity is indisputable, but right now I need some of Joseph Schereschewsky’s steady patience and faith.
Peasants and Jews did not enjoy Luther’s humor
Joseph gets my vote. How does one say thirteen lingual? His commitment, determination in spite of physical diasabilty, and the bridge he provided with the Jewish community is impressive to say the least. The irony of the choices today as mentioned in previous posts occurred to me right away. Off to yoga now (not) to recuperate from yesterday’s lent madness drama.
Tridekalingual.
This an updated, edited retread of something I posted for the Martin Luther – Martin Luther King Lent Madness matchup of 2013. I present to you The 95 Lent Madness Theses (Round 2). Even if you do vote against Luther (I forgive you), I hope you find some of its resources educational if not humorous. #HereIVote #Reformation500 https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/95-lent-madness-theses-round-2/
Well done, Lou! I read all 95, and I commend them to other LM voters! I especially enjoyed the animated Luther Polka (I saw him tap dance, moon walk and can-can, too!). Did I miss any mention of Garrison Keillor? Splendid advocacy effort!
Luther, for standing up to the excesses of the pope and for risking all to assure us of God’s love and forgiveness. The indulgence business was questionable at best, and a scam at worst. He gave us all the freedom to think and to free ourselves from the thought that we might buy our salvation, when Christ had already paid the price.
Come on, folks. It’s Martin Luther. No one has had more influence on Christianity except, you know, Jesus (. . . and Paul, and maybe a couple of others . . .) But MARTIN LUTHER for heaven’s sake!
How can Luther possibly be losing !?!? Those great quotes make me admire him even more, particularly the ones about farting at the devil and getting drunk in order to be able to preach about drunkenness. However, the one about starving your children until they learn their lessons is less appealing.
While both were translators, we need saints who transcend the borders of our faiths to reach out in friendship – like Joseph.
Your text today was such a DISSERVICE to Luther. Your focus was off-target and COMPLETELY irresponsible. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Breathe deeply, Allen, and repeat, “It’s only Lent MADNESS, it’s only Lent MADNESS..”
And this round is about Quirks & Quotes.
voted for Coach S.
The write up on Luther was a total turn off for me. Drunkenness is NOT acceptable at any time for me. Bishop Sam’s story of percipience over major health challenges wins my vote.
As a translator myself, my vote has to go to SIJ and his twenty years of thirteen languages via two fingers. (For that matter, my son is named Isaac, and with one Isaac already knocked out of this race, I’ve got to do what I can for the other!)
Having read all the comments — and having read the write-up on Martin Luther from the Round of 32, which was less humorous but more insightful than the current write-up — I’m going with Luther. Lou Florio’s comment about Luther’s writings advocating kindness to Jews was especially helpful. Plus, I think Luther got a lousy deal in today’s bios, and I’d like to offset that a tiny bit with my vote.
Can’t deny Martin’s place in history, however, the lesser-known Joseph gets my vote for his tenacity of spirit in the face of daunting physical inhibitions.
PS That last comment by Martin, regarding the conduct of ‘councils’ hit so close to home in light of our current political situation, that my vote wavered at the last moment! Still I say, “GO, Joe!”
I’m in Norway so should go for Martin, but Schereschewsky gets my vote.
Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky has been a hero of mine since first I heard about him. I would like to grow that kind of faithfulness and perseverance in the face of limitations.
Anyone but Martin Luther!
Wow! I voted for Martin Luther, but I respect your choice anyway. I am 8.
Joe’s awesome, one of the few lesser known saints I actually knew about before this madness. I absolutely love his story and his dedication. It’s inspiring. But I had no idea how much of a bro Martin was. For a dude like that to start a revolution the way he did, that’s pretty epic. It was a tough call but I went with Martin, even if it breaks my bracket.
Scholastica got robbed!!
I agree!
Me, too!
Delayed my vote to read all comments thus far. Although I was a Lutheran for many years, I do have some fairly significant issues with Luther. His extreme anti-semitism is shudder worthy! And, although I understand the indulgences thing, I am not so certain that the continual splintering and fracturing of the Church has been a good thing. Sorry, Martin, I think this one may go to Samuel Joe!
Gotta go with Joe!
So Luther’s idea was that children should be given nothing to eat or drink if they didn’t learn the Lord’s Prayer and the 10 Commandments and the Creed by rote? I’m going to assume that this is not one of his jokes tho’ it does fit in with his scatological humor. I can add proponent of child abuse to an already long list of his unsaintly character traits. Nevertheless, I cast my vote for Schereschewsky not as a vote against Martin but as a vote for Samuel, a model of “faithfulness and perseverance in the face of limitations.” Thanks, Sarah, for providing that lovely phrase!
You never make it easy! But for me, you pulled the rug out from under Martin Luther. I had known nothing of Joe, who is a terrific guy. But your description of Martin undercuts everything I had known of him. Yes, he did a lot of very great stuff. But with his basic choices (I DON’T like his “humor.”), he undercuts so much of what I treasure, ie valuing every individual and living a good sober life before them as I show the face of Jesus.
I agree, ML’s narrative tanked his otherwise excellent chances of willing the Halo.
Minor, but deciding, reason for voting for Joseph: he’s been in Lent Madness twice (2010 and 2014), while Luther’s been only once (2013).
I also like to fart to chase away the devil. But usually it just bothers my wife. So I had to go for Joseph S. because of bad advice on spiritual warfare from Luther.
Some days, I hate democracy.
I’m sad Luther is lagging behind in the standings, I was so looking forward to his mug on my mug!
Here’s why he deserves a rally: he was a faithful and brave – oh my word! Was he brave to confront the Church/One World Power that had gone off the rails to oppress uh, everyone – for their own apostate individual desires. As a result, all Christiandom (pretty sure that’s a real word, despite spellcheck alerting…) agrees we are saved by grace through faith because we read it in our own bibles that we read in our own language.
I’m so bummed that his narrative sidelined this hero of our modern faith with stories of farts, barroom antics and repugnant yet commonly held bigoted views. I’m ready to go all Donald Trump and “cry fake news!” SEC.
Anti-Semetic views are horrid, and Luther was spooked by goblins residing near lakes in the deep, dark forests, yes, he was also a child of the Dark Ages. What makes him truly great is we have him to thank for moving the world out of that darkness into modernity.
Close — it’s Christendom.
I was so proud when I learned to pronounce the name Scherschewsky I just have to vote for him
Joseph 13 languages what do you even call that also typing with one or tweet fingers pure dedication.
12 or more languages = hyperpolyglot. The more you know! Isn’t everyone so glad Lent Madness is here to give us all a wonderful learning opportunity! I am hungry to learn. MUNCH!
Wow…close again!
Martin Luther was voted by A & E Channel the 3rd most influential person in the last millennium, behind only Gutenberg and Newton. And this is 1517 plus 500 years. How could I vote otherwise?
Who here doesn’t say their prayers before breakfast? I can’t think of any other context in which Luther’s instructions could reasonably be interpreted.
SIJS is also a saintly person, no doubt. I would be tremendously saddened if we were to attribute some sort of moral failing in voting for one over the other. Vote for the person whose witness most fully strengthens your own walk with Christ.
It’s the year of Luther. He gets my vote. If I want to ferret out anti-semitism and unintended consequences in the lives and writings of many of those on our Kalendar, Lesser Feasts & Fasts (HWHM, Cloud of Witnesses, whatever) would be a slim tract.
Do you want to read up on Luther’s antisemitism? Visit here:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/martin-luther-quot-the-jews-and-their-lies-quot
Vote for Joseph or Martin
(Who seemed to like fartin’)
The choice caused internal friction:
Though my son bears the name
Of 95 Theses fame
I must affirm a shared affliction.
Joseph’s hands may have shook,
But he translated The Book
Because of his Christian conviction.
Nice rhyme Cheryle.
As an aside…..cheating in Lent Madness???? I mean, doesn’t that seem like something that might adversely affect your soul????
I doubt bot deployers are part of this community; I further doubt that they are observing Lent.
Not to mention seriously tacky. Scholastica would be humbly horrified.
I can’t forgive Luther for his antisemitic rants that were no doubt used to justify the Holocaust. Maybe Luther was a child of the Dark Ages, but he still knew he was supposed to love his neighbor as himself. I didn’t know about this until I read all the comments in the first round.
I went with”Sam”. It’s the little guy that is often overlooked. His translation work had to have contributed to many persons spiritual life. His tolerance and acceptance was very Christ like. While my wedding ring is a copy of Luther’s bride’s ring, I did not respond well to what I read about Luther. I will follow up and read more but for today, it’s Scherschewsky for me.
It’s the 500th anniversary of the famous 95 theses that Luther posted on the door at Wittenburg (much less elaborate in the original than the metal door covering I saw when I visited there in 2010, I would wager). I’m taking a Protestant Reformation Pilgrimage to the Luther digs in June–tho as an Episcopal priest, I feel more “bridge” than “Protestant”), so I guess I’d better go w/ Luther this time. I don’t want to forget my fondness for Schereschewsky, however, especially not since I learned how to spell his name.
Again two of my favorites matched up. I have admired Joe ever since I firat encountered him in Leaser Feasts and Fasts but, having served as an interim Lutheran pastor, I must vote for Martin Luther. For all his mortal faults, he remains at the very foundation of the church as we know it today.
Excellent point!
I thought your write-up was skewed in favor of Schereschewsky. I voted for M.Luther as much is being made this year within Lutheran churches and other denominations about how his work has influenced Christian bodies over the past five centuries. I’m currently reading Martin Marty’s biography about Luther. How about a quote that is attributed to M.Luther – “God does not save people who are only fictitious sinners. Be a sinner and sin boldly, but believe and rejoice in Christ even more boldly, for he is victorious over sin, death, and the world”.
This is a true story. Many years (decades) ago when I was with my mother and younger brother, the conversation somehow turned to Luther. After listening for a while, my brother suddenly gasped, “Theses? Really? I thought it was 95 feces and couldn’t figure out how he nailed them up.”
I am not making this up.
*snorts with laughter* Great story!!!
I’ll be honest, too. When I first learned about Martin Luther, I thought the teacher said Martin Lucifer. I’m sure you can understand my confusion of why we were so proud of Lucifer.
The perception of requiring children to recite before food and drink as child abuse is a bit of a stretch in my opinion. We do not eat dinner in our house before reciting a prayer. My adult son still complains that the Easter Bunny never arrived at our house until we came home from celebrating the Resurrection at worship. It does not seem to me that he recommends starving children but rather a structure of considering our spiritual needs before our physical needs.
Thanks, Miss Jennifer. I appreciate this comment.
Love the wicked wit of Luther, but I gotta go with St. Sam. Anyone so dedicated to their ministry that they would hunt and peck type for 20 years gets my voted. God bless him!
Hey what happened to the 95 theses!
Had to go with Schereschewsky even if it did take 5 fingers to do so! I have always been in awe of any who spoke, read, wrote in more than four languages.
I believe that it is a principle of the church that a sacrament received even from the hand of a priest who is guilty of notorious sin is still valid. In this year of the 500th anniversary of the posting of the 95 theses, I have to vote for the man who took that step and reformed the church and brought so many blessings to so many people, regardless of whether he personally was guilty of egregious sins. (I also very much liked today’s write-up showing his sense of humor that I had not been aware of before.)
For getting into the pope’s hair, my vote goes to Martin Luther. His quotes are great. Chase the devil with a fart! Bahahahaha. That is one to remember.
LAWL i like Martin Luther because he is my personal hero i really hope you guys vote for him.
I did, Timmy.
Yay Timmy! LAWL! I am so glad you are so #hyped for Lent Madness! Make sure to read lots of books, eat your veggies, and take the training wheels off your bike! The real world is out there, and it waits for no man. LAWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too bad I voted against Martin Luther… I guess this is your first taste of the real world.
Schereschewsky got our vote, it was amazing to have the fortitude and devotion to transcribe the Bible in one language at a time and do it again, and again… and again. Even with his disability he still did it again.
Something about booze and farting doesn’t quite tell me “saintly”, definitely not Golden Halo material.
I voted for Schereschewsky, but no one can reasonably deny Luther’s (flawed) greatness. I think the quotes in the write-up do him no disservice. They simply show that he was a human being, not a pewter figurine in a Catholic bookstore (yes, a Catholic bookstore).
Another Luther quote: “When I fart in Wittenburg, they smell it in Rome.”
Go Joe!
Thanks, SEC, for dealing with vote fraud yesterday! I checked last night, and there were only 4 votes’ difference between Augustine and Scholastica. An hour later, Scholastica was ahead 75% to 25%. Obviously “thousands of illegals” had skewed the vote.
I see what you did there, Elaine. 😉
I wonder why the bots were Russian to assure a Scholastica landslide . . .
Joseph should win because he only has two fingers
Are you from sssas?
I love the humor in Martin Luther
Schereschewsky will win because is winning now. So I went with it.
Hmmm. It appears that the many Lutheran churches and colleges aren’t aware of Lent Madness (or have mixed feelings about Luther). Recalling the pastor who wished his parish had been dubbed Holy Trinity rather than Luther Memorial. (It was amusing to see a piece of mail there that had been addressed to ‘Luther M Church’.)
Martin Luther! After all this is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
Can’t do Luther. Can’t get over his antisemitism and advocating for the state imposed rape of women.
Plot and Fix and Episcopalian Shenanigans! Bartender — another German Beer Please!
St. Sam- I love this! Perhaps lesser known in many circles but no less important! I appreciate his Jewish heritage and sensitivity toward the tiny Jewish sect!
Luther had his shortcomings – which of us doesn’t? Nor was his anti-Semitism out of the ordinary for many theologians in the 16th Century. Doesn’t make it right, nor is the Reformation complete. Luther’s understanding that we are justified by faith and of God’s grace empower us sinners to get up each morning and do what needs to be done even. He also had courage to speak truth to power. Recall his statement at the Diet of Augsburg: “Hier stehe ich und kann nicht anders! Gott helfe mir, Amen.”
Although the “fart” appealed to my fourth graders, the vote of the combined 4 sections was definitively for Joseph Shereschewsky and his heroic translations. Nevertheless, he persisted! 37 for Joseph, 27 for Martin, meaning I cast my vote today on behalf of the 4th grade majority.
How very cool that you’re involving your students! Love it!
You should tell the SEC, perhaps even send them a photo with your students, which perhaps they would share with us.
My friend, Dottie 91 years young, and I both agreed on Joe S. Mainly because we didn’t like Martin’s teaching method. Children couldn’t eat or drink until they recited.
Roland Bainton (A Methodist Luther scholar at Yale) pointed out many of the inappropriate writing by Luther were done during the last couple years of his life when he suffered mental shortcomings. They had no way to diagnose or treat the symptoms back then. Besides; who was going to question or challenge Luther. Bainton concluded that Luther would have have done Christianity a favor by being quiet those last couple years or dying early!
I saw someone make that point earlier, and I think it’s important for people to consider. Haven’t many of us dealt with someone who becomes “not quite themselves” in later life?
I was leaving toward Joe, but the “meeting” quote from Martin won me over.
I hate to denigrate Schereschewsky, who gave so much of his energy, but people have to think about impact and also about not “not” voting for Luther. In terms of impact, there is absolutely no comparison. I have studied the history of mission in China because my grandparents were missionaries there for nearly 40 years (Presbyterian, but I studied the history of Episcopal mission in China in seminary). The mission of the church in China at the time of Schereschewsky was going nowhere, and the dear man, who was made a bishop because nobody else would do it, pretty much stayed in his office and did translations. It wasn’t entirely his fault that the church grossly underestimated the language barrier that eager young missionaries would face–most of them going home in discouragement, or dying of disease. He became a poster child for fundraisers at home, but mission efforts were taking on serious water during his tenure, and nothing really happened in Episcopal mission China until well after he was gone.
One of the reasons I voted for Luther was that we Anglicans owe him a debt, for it is his church which gave assistance and inspiration to the early English reformers, including Thomas Cranmer, who drew quite a bit from Lutheran reformers for our first prayer book and for his theology of sacrament, among other things. To the extent that we balance the Catholic and Protestant, we owe a lot of the latter to Luther and his associates. Hearing reports of appalling preaching in the church of England, he sent people to teach preaching. Also, the singing!
Thank you for this perspective, Marianne. I learn so much from those who comment here.
You know, I’m beginning to feel as too many Episcopalians have the same allergy to the p word (protestant), that fundamentalists have to the c word (catholic). This is quite tragic as our tradition is both catholic and reformed, and without that balance and synergy you lose the uniqueness and generosity of the Anglican ethos. That alone makes me want to cast a second vote for Martin..
Well I, Brett.
Ugh. Meant to say “Well *said* …”
I agree, Brett. I am definitely of the Anglo-Catholic, Mary, Mass, and Incense crowd, but wherever we Anglicans fall within the high church-low church spectrum, we should never forget that we are, indeed, both catholic and reformed. That’s what makes us Anglicans, our “double heritage” as it were. Thank you for reminding us of that.
Well put. Thank you.
Hear hear! I quite agree. I learned first about this when doing a commentary on Episcopal ordination rites in a history of Anglican worship class and learned that Martin Bucer, a Strassburg Lutheran reformer and friend and contemporary of Cranmer’s, was influential in the rite as we know it. Also, Luther appears to have been the loudest voice in determining which aspects of the Catholic Eucharist might be responsibly be retained, while other continental reformers were chucking parts of it over their shoulders. I think this must have been great support to the Anglican reformers who were trying to toe the line between tradition and reform whilst endeavoring to keep their heads.
Hear hear! I quite agree. I learned first about this when doing a commentary on Episcopal ordination rites in a history of Anglican worship class and learned that Martin Bucer, a Strassburg Lutheran reformer and friend and contemporary of Cranmer’s, was influential in the rite as we know it. Also, Luther was likely an influence in supporting the many aspects of the Roman Eucharistic rite might responsibly be retained, even as other continental reformers were merrily chucking huge swaths of it over their shoulders. I think this must have been great support to the Anglican reformers who were trying to toe the line between tradition and reform whilst endeavoring to keep their heads.
One plants, another waters, & yet another harvests.
Joseph’s story is fascinating. He gets my vote, yet again!
Plus the f-word was forbidden in my upbringing and I never have found a way to say it without cringing.
Luther! Reform Reform! No more indulgences!! The word belongs to the people, in their native tongue, and the communion host as well!!
I’m feeling somewhat frustrated. With a fair amount of frequency, a commenter will toss off a statement like Luther “abused his wife” or he advocated “the state imposed rape of women.”, and then she /he will write nothing further. Ladies and gentlemen, these single sentence assertions are meaningless if you don’t explain what you are talking about. If you want to provide information, please give us a little more than that. I would truly appreciate it. (I don’t mean this to be as cranky as it sounds)
Amen. Thank you Harlie.
Voted for neither of these blokes in the first round.
Voted for Bishop Sam this time. His continuing affinity with his Jewish heritage (as evidenced by his relationship with the local Jewish community while Bishop of Shanghai) brought me around. I’ve always believed that people who change their religious affiliation should regard themselves as having a vocation to be a bridge between their old faith community at its best and their new faith community at its best.
Bishop Sam’s courage in dealing with illness and disability was another positive factor for him.
Luther’s anti-Judaic writings in his later years (particularly when his early writings took a far more positive tone toward Jews and Judaism) was also a big factor in may vote.
Another factor causing me to vote against Luther was the bitter polemic tone of his language re the RC church. Obviously, the Western Church was crying out for reform in its theology, liturgy, spirituality, and internal politics. But Luther’s bitter language helped to ensure that this reform was also accompanied by the fact of Christians breaking communion and fellowship with each other. I will never celebrate the breach of communion among any Christians.
Amen! I agree with your concluding sentence so much…. May we never celebrate a breach of communion between groups of us. And I would add, between any groups acting in good will.
If you haven’t yet voted and are struggling with Luther’s strident anti-Semitism, please note Robert’s comment at 3:14. Those writings were in the last couple of years of Luther’s life, when he may have been non compos mentis.
I’m thinking possibly alcoholic dementia. Even if I didn’t know about Martin’s anti-Semitism I couldn’t have voted for him. The “humorous” quotes cited certainly don’t sound so funny to anyone who lived with alcoholics, even if they were brilliant and witty alcoholics.
My vote is for Marty…”Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.”
Martin Luther would seem the obvious choice, but I am totally turned off by his being anti-Semitic.
SIJ Scherescewsky translated the scriptures and the BCP so that souls coul be won for Christ. What an incredible follower of the Lord.
I had to go with Scherescewsky. While I appreciate greatly the quotes from Luther, what won me over was Scherescewsky’s love for the Jews. In this day and age, we get bound up far too often in doctrinal, or political, or whatever distinctives that divide us (and rightly or wrongly this was a good chunk of what Luther was about) that I admire it greatly when a person can see their neighbor, and see differences, yet love them anyway. So Scherescewsky got my vote!
The image of Joseph pecking out the translation, one letter at a time, brought me to tears.
Plus, besides being a church sexton, I’m a synagogue custodian.
And while we’re not to be taking ourselves too seriously, I think Martin should miss the Golden Halo here, for not taking things seriously enough.
wow! a nail-biter!
Wow! Another close one in the works! I’m a huge SIJS fan, but today Luther’s great quotes won me over.
Lou Florio, our companion in Lent Madness, shared his “95 theses” on why to vote for (or at least appreciate) Luther. It’s here: https://2pennyblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/30/95-lent-madness-theses-round-2/
I am learning so much here! In the past, I thought Luther was an epithet.
Luther, for historical and musical reasons!
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky was a Jewish convert.
Martin Luther was, ahem, anti-Semitic.
I voted for the Bishop who despite great physical hardship did not turn from the work he was called to do to spread the Gospel in China and did not forget his heritage.
The outlines for the two “contestants” are heavily weighted against Martin Luther. Many of his accomplishments stand today, as noted in the original bio in the first round. And, he was the force that rose against the abuses in the Catholic church.
I’m Catholic.
as in…”one holy catholic and apostolic,” or “Roman”?
as in…”one holy catholic and apostolic,” or “Roman”? (which would be both, I suppose)
We are all part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church. And Pope Benedict XVI has now acknowledged Luther was right in the main.
Even though he was such a rascal and must not have read Romans 6 : 1-2, I voted for Martin Luther
This year, I seem to be backing the loser each time. Woo hoo!
You’re on a roll, Kim. 🙂
Oh my God! Somebody stop her! If she rolls too much she might get hurt! Think of the children.
🙂
Maybe you should start backing the winner! That would be more fun! #blessup #Godhasaplan #TimSchenkismyhero
Am I the only person in all of this who, before today, never heard of Bishop Scherescewsky in my entire life?
Nope. You’re not, Ray. I never heard of him before Lent Madness. And I think that’s the point of this madness: to introduce us to some of these worthies.
I had never heard of Raymond Nonnatus until I saw him here. Then he pulled an amazing upset! #blessup #Raymondisraving
In my first vote , it was for SCHERESCEWSKY..AND i REPEAT IT AGAIN. BUT IT IS JUST TOO LATE TO GO INTO “WHY’. Good Night.
Martin Luther! It’s 500 years of reformed faith, how can we not honor this amazing human being? THINK of how your inner life and faith has benefited because of Martin Luther. If nothing else, vote for him because MLK was named for him!
This is such a tough choice. Both inteligent writers for the people. I had voted for St Sam early on. Rewarding him with evangelism. I didn’t vote for ML, but this had become such a tough choice I read more of these two fela’s. What I can up with is there is way to much negative extras about ML. That my heart keep sinking. So…… it’s Saint Sam all the way baby!!! GO SAM!!! The references depict this man with a heart.
I’m going to try not to sound cranky, for I certainly don’t feel cranky.
But, seriously, how is this even a contest? Luther revolutionized Christendom for 500 years. The good and faithful Schereschewsky did some fine translations that helped in China.
Luther’s life has lots of documentation, some of which offends some Madness fans. But there is also much marvelous documentation of his faith, his writing, his labors, his good works, his rich family life. But many are willing to blot out all that because of his virulent anti-Semitism in the last years of his life, when he may not have had his full faculties.
Meanwhile, we have little documentation of Schereschewsky’s life and picadillos.
Some are judging Luther because of a couple of great sins. I wonder how many we might find in Schereschewsky’s life if anyone had bothered to document his life?
And God forbid that I be judged on a couple of serious sins/failings rather than on the overall arc of my life. Tough crowd here. 🙂
You sound cranky.
I was afraid of that, Paul. But, seriously, I’m not feeling cranky. Just perplexed by some of the comments here. I am glad God’s grace is more generous to Martin Luther than many of the commenters here.
Think of it: If we rail against Luther because he exhibited signs of anti-Semitism, how do we vote for any “saint” in the ages of the Crusades or other embarrassing eras of historic Christianity. St. Paul apparently at one time condoned the murder of Christians. Thank God every Christian can be forgiven and every sinner can become a saint!
THANK YOU! Spot on and agreed, how is this even a contest? So much of this contest was swayed by the lopsided blogger’s report.
ML held abherrant views relative to Jews, and those were typical of Christians and everyone else in his time. As you say, a great sin. I could not help but see parallels so some of his views then with modern views held by the Israeli state towards Palestinians which are wholeheartedly defended by the American Christian church: house raising, removal, dispossession, on it goes. Not to excuse Luther so much as to say we’re vulnerable to that garbage , too.
So sinner, throw that stone.
Thank you, Lily.
I have to agree. And let’s be clear that the mission effort at this time, in China and elsewhere, was neo-colonialism, paternalistic at best and imperialist at worst and definitely lacking contextualization. I say this partly based on letters I have read from my own grandparents about decades of service in China. Of their faith I have NO DOUBT–they make me look pathetic–but they were engaged in an extremely flawed endeavor and it was more pronounced in the early days of mission there. Schereschewsky was an intellectual–he knew very little about the lives of the people he was serving. (I don’t think, btw, that he would have been guilty of peccadillos.) Most of the whole two-fingered Gospel movement was replaced by more contextual work in healing, teaching and raising up the Chinese than in those early days of just delivering an unfiltered Gospel message. I think this has to be understood about every saint of the whole church–that all were promulgators to some extent of its flaws as well as being great difference makers. We are all inheritors of both the blessings and the sins of the church.
I have to agree. And let’s be clear that the mission effort at this time, in China and elsewhere, was neo-colonialism, paternalistic at best and imperialist at worst and definitely lacking contextualization. I say this partly based on letters I have read from my own grandparents about decades of service in China. Of their faith I have NO DOUBT–they make me look pathetic–but they were engaged in an extremely flawed endeavor and it was more pronounced in the early days of mission there. Schereschewsky was an intellectual–he knew very little about the lives of the people he was serving. (I don’t think, btw, that he would have been guilty of peccadillos.) Most of the whole two-fingered Gospel movement was replaced by more contextual work in healing, teaching and raising up the Chinese than in those early days of just delivering an unfiltered Gospel message. I think this has to be understood about every saint of the whole church–they were, to some extent, all promulgators of its flaws as well as being great difference-makers. Likewise we are left with both their blessings and their flaws to help redeem.
One has to wonder about “some people” following the big revelation that someone has had robo-votes coming in for one of the candidates. I mean, sure, I think ML is the better candidate, but that is no reason to give Bishop Sch. the finger! Had he won, life would have gone on. He just was outclassed, is all.
We used to value the victory for the manner in which it was got, but now, it means nought how you played, but only who wins. And that despite the SEC injunction, “It’s LENT fer cry-sakes!!”
Am distressed that the vote seems to be on fame and massive effect and not on pure qualities of saintliness, isn’t that what a golden halo is for? Sure Martin revolutionized Christianity for 500 years, but was it for the best in all ways? He did bear a violent hatred of Jews, even if he was not completely sane at the time; that is some incendiary talk. And still waiting to hear about the state rape of women!!! I go for Joe who seems to have done a lot of good and no harm that anyone can name, at least.
Here’s one vote for Schereschewsky from a born and bred Lutheran. Am expecting to be struck by lightning any moment now. 😉 I greatly admire his patience, a quality brother Martin had in short supply.
One for Dr. Luther. “Here I stand, I can do no other!”