Reformation Sunday • Reformation Sunday

When Jesus returned to his home town he attended public worship as “his custom was.” (Luke 4:16a) As was the practice in those days he stood up to read the Scriptures and sat down to preach. For his text he read this passage from the book of Isaiah: “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives… to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18) Since that time followers of the Christ have pledged themselves to the task of proclaiming “release to the captives” and setting “at liberty those who are oppressed.”

Why should Christians be involved in this task? A first basis for this position is the faith that God rules all the world, including every phase of life. Though the Christian life has been and may be lived under any political situatio…