Dr. Albert Mohler gave a stirring plenary address on “The Reformation as Incomplete Project: Continuing Challenge for a Postmodern Church.”

A growing international network of leaders, scholars, and pastors, focusing on the abiding significance of the Reformation, held an enthusiastic conference at the campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, September 27-28.

The first North American Conference assembled numerous speakers to launch the movement, which will sponsor a robust series of events through 2017 (the anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses). The meetings were held in The Legacy Hotel and Conference center on the beautiful Southern Baptist Seminary campus.

Professor Herman Selderhuis and Karla Apperloo-Boersma, international leaders from the Netherlands-based project, brought greetings and introduced the first plenary session. Approximately 100 participants joined in various meetings, workshops, and sessions.

Dr. Timothy George of Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama gave the first Plenary address (taken from a new volume of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture) entitled “Reading Scripture with the Reformers.” Dr. George cautioned about using interpretations that were either “imperialistic for the present” or “imperialistic of the past.”

After his address, Johannes Witte, representing tour partner Witte Tour and Travel of Grand Rapids, Michigan spoke about “Touring Reformation Europe: Why It’s Important.”

Other speakers for the opening sessions were Dr. David W. Hall, North American Director for Refo500, and Dr. Erik Herrmann of Concordia Lutheran Seminary.

Among the widely published authors for a book signing at the Lifeway Bookstore at Southern’s campus as part of this conference were: Herman Selderhuis, Timothy George, and Joel Beeke.

Following the dinner banquet and an orientation to the Palatinate Museum of Heidelberg, Germany by its curator, Dr. Frieder Hepp, Southern Baptist Seminary President Dr. Albert Mohler gave a stirring plenary address on “The Reformation as Incomplete Project: Continuing Challenge for a Postmodern Church.”

In his remarks, he noted his concern over the revisionism so often associated with calling the church to reform, while advocating the continuing need for reform of the church, spirituality, preaching, and other areas.

Several new project partners were announced at the conclusion of Monday’s events: Shepherd Press, Western Theological Seminary, Providence Forum, and Crossway Publisher.

Tuesday morning began with a breakfast for the project partners (http://www.refo500.nl/en/partners). After that, four addresses were given on September 28, including
· “Rediscovering the Laity: Reformation in the Pew and in the Classroom” by Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan;
· “The Reformation: An Intercontinental Challenge” by Dr. Frank James of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary;
· a chapel address by Dr. Timothy George, and
· “Union with Christ in the Reformation” by Dr. John Fesko of Westminster Seminary California.

In between the addresses on Tuesday were workshops on maximizing doctoral programs, ecumenical cooperation, travel possibilities, publishing announcements, and how the Refo500 program can involve and connect many.

For more updates and a calendar of upcoming events, visit the website at: www.refo500.com. The next Refo500 event in North America is a Conference on Reformation Worship outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Oct. 21-24 (see www.reformedworship.com for details).