Thoughts about Luther

First,
I hate posting twice in a row because I feel like you're not going to go back and look at the other posts before this one if you didn't see it. So, let me encourage you to first look at the post from earlier today, because I want you to see my fall pictures! I'm proud of them! (And my puppy is cute!)

That said -
Now for this post.

I just finished watching the movie Luther, about Martin Luther (I'm sure you would've been able to piece that one together on your own - but just in case!) And even though at 12:30 at night (or in the morning, technically) I should be heading off to bed...I couldn't help myself but post of few thoughts/questions I had in light of what I saw.

First -
If a reformist within the Protestant group of Christians were to post our version of the 95 Theses to the modern, Protestant (post-Luther) church, what would it include?

I ask this because there is plenty within the Southern Baptist doctrine alone that I think disregards the intent of scripture. Just like the Pope, we are capable of errancy - so where have we, as the modern evangelical church, erred?

Second -
In the movie, a follower of Luther (following Luther's retreat into hiding from the papacy) begins to burn and vandalize the Catholic cathedrals, and persecute the Catholic priests, monks, etc. Martin Luther comes across one such incident, and the man claims to be doing it in his name - to be continuing the work he [Luther] would've been doing himself. Luther is, of course, angered at the man "not getting it", and doing something completely antagonistic to his intent and character. Luther's response to the man makes me wonder: Does Jesus see us having the same attitude at times? Do we as modern, evangelical Christians misrepresent Him and His Name and purposes?

My question to myself is - Do I deal with my frustrations with the modern church in a reforming way or in a destructive way?

And lastly -
In the extra stuff on the DVD, there are interviews with several cast members. One such member plays the role of Johann Tetzel. Tetzel was the first public antagonist of Luther. The actor who portrays him talks about what he did to prepare for the role. Do you have a clue to what his response was?

He watched hours upon hours of American TV Evangelists! Why? Because he wanted to perfect the attitude of being so stubbornly convinced of one's right-ness! Do you get it?! This man watched the most public, internationally recognized, embarrassing version of "evangelical Christianity" in order to perfect his portrayal of the people who were determined to hold fast to the belief that people had to buy their salvation, and that the common man shouldn't be allowed to read the Bible!

What does that mean to you? What emotions does that stir in you?