There will be a fellowship dinner this Sabbath in the commons.
The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation
"You Impious and Sensate Papist!"
Speaker
Dwight K. NelsonDwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.
Offering
More In This Series
"The Story of Martin Luther and the New Reformation:
'You Impious and Sensate Papist!'"
- The Reformer
- December 10, 1520
- Luther Against the Execrable Bull of Antichrist: "Peter said that you should give a reason for the faith that is in you, but this bull condemns me from its own word without any proof from Scripture, whereas I back up all my assertions from the Bible. I ask thee, ignorant Antichrist, dost thou think that with thy naked words thou canst prevail against the armor of Scripture?... O meticulous ignorance!... you impious and insensate [comatose] papist.... [A]s they excommunicated me... so I excommunicate them in the name of the sacred truth of God. Christ will judge whose excommunication will stand. Amen.” (Roland Bainton Here I Stand: A Life of Luther 125-126)
- Luther: "Since they have burned my books, I burn theirs. The canon law was included because it makes the pope a god on earth. So far I have merely fooled with this business of the pope. All my articles condemned by Antichrist are Christian. Seldom has the pope overcome anyone with Scripture and with reason." (Bainton 128)
- James Kittelson: "This focus on Christ could give even the most tormented soul absolute assurance. Where was the release from accusations of conscience or God’s law? 'Nowhere save from Christ and in Christ. For if some complaint should be registered against a heart that believes in Christ, and testify against it concerning some evil deed, then the heart turns itself away, and turns to Christ, and says, "But he made satisfaction. He is the righteous one, and this is my defense. He died for me, he made his righteousness mine and made my sin his own; and if he made my sin his own, then I do not have it, and I am free."'" (Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career 95)
- The Reformation
- The Five Sola’s: Solus Christus—"Christ alone" Sola fide—"faith alone" Sola gratia—"grace alone" Sola scriptura—"Scripture alone" and Soli Deo gloria—"glory of God alone"
- L. E. Froom: "Luther’s break with Rome was a spectacle equaling, if not surpassing, in moral sublimity any other scene unfolded in the Christian Era.... [I]t was evident that nothing in this old world is more powerful than a prophetic truth whose time has come. It has impelling force and power within it. Thus it was with the Reformation, which was really born of a twofold discovery—first, the rediscovery of and His salvation; and second, the discovery of the identity of and his subversions." (Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers 2:243)
- Martin Luther’s understanding of Bible prophecy:
- 1 John 2:18, 22—The Antichrist (GK: " Christ") is coming.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4—The man of lawlessness/the man of sin will assert himself to be on earth.
- Daniel 7:25—The "little horn" power of Daniel 7 will speak against the , persecute the saints and change times and laws.
- Revelation 13:3ff—Luther identified the beast of Revelation 13, the fallen woman in Revelation 17 and Babylon in Revelation 18 with the .
- Not only Martin Luther, but subsequently William Tyndale, John Calvin, John Knox, John Wesley and a host of other lesser known Reformers saw in Rome the coming of the as prophesied in Scripture. (L. E. Froom 2:528-531)
- "From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration of the Reformation in 2017":
- "1. In 2017, Lutheran and Catholic Christians will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation. Lutherans and Catholics today enjoy a growth in mutual understanding, cooperation, and respect. They have come to acknowledge that unites than divides them: above all, common faith in the Triune God and the revelation in Jesus Christ, as well as recognition of the basic truths of the doctrine of justification.” (http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/lutheran-...)
- "16. What happened in the past cannot be changed, but what is remembered of the past and how it is remembered can, with the passage of time, indeed change. Remembrance makes the past present. While the past itself is unalterable, the presence of the past in the present is alterable. In view of 2017, the point is not to tell a different history, but to tell that history ."
- John 17:17—"Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth."
- Pew Research Center:
- About half of U.S. Protestants (%) say both good deeds and faith in God are needed to get into heaven, a historically Catholic position. The other half (%) say that faith alone is needed to attain salvation.
- U.S. Protestants also are split on another issue that played a key role in the Reformation: (%) say the Bible provides all the religious guidance Christians need, a traditionally Protestant belief known as sola scriptura. But (%) say Christians should look for guidance from church teachings and traditions as well as from the Bible, the position held by the Catholic Church.
- Just (%) of all U.S. Protestants affirm both sola fide and sola scriptura. (http://www.pewforum.org/2017/08/31/after-500-years-reformation-era-divis...)
- Ellen White: "The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is . Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity.... There has been a change; but the change is not in the papacy. Catholicism indeed resembles much of the Protestantism that now exists, because Protestantism has so greatly degenerated since the days of the Reformers.” (The Great Controversy 571)
- "The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world’s history." (148)
- "There was a present truth in the days of Luther—a truth at that time of special importance; there is a present truth for the church today." (143)
- "Those who present the truth for this time should not expect to be received with greater favor than were earlier reformers. The great controversy between truth and error, between Christ and Satan, is to increase in intensity to the close of this world’s history." (144)
Anybody left after Martin to take a stand one more time?
On Sabbath, December 13, we will be having our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas. This is the worship service where we bring a new unwrapped toy for a child up to age 16. Each year we partner with "Christmas Care" in providing gifts to 300+ families in our community who are not able to purchase their own. This is yet another way that Pioneer can participate in the 2nd part of our PIONEER strategic plan of Interacting and partnering with those in our community.
The annual Christmas Banquet for Seniors (ages 55+) is taking place on December 14 in the Village SDA Church fellowship hall at 1:00 PM. Pioneer members wishing to attend please call the church office to sign up at 269.471.6565 by Monday, December 8.
Thank you for choosing a tag from our Angel Trees! Please remember to text “BLESS” to 269-281-2345 to let us know who you selected. This helps us stay organized and coordinate gift collection if you won’t be dropping off your unwrapped gift during one of our services on Sabbath, December 13.
This Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 4:00 PM, join the Andrews University Department of Music for a memorable Christmas Extravaganza to welcome the season! Featured performances will include the University Singers, Chorale, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, along with talented students from the Piano Studios of Chi Yong Yun and String Ensembles from the Studio of Carla Trynchuk. In the spirit of giving, our Christmas Extravaganza will also feature a brief segment and opportunity to support our talented music students through the music student scholarships. Celebrate the spirit of the season through uplifting music, including selections from The Christmas Song, Christmas Dinner, and Sleigh Ride, capturing the spirit and joy of the season. Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 @ 7:30 PM Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 4:00 PM (repeat performance). Tickets and information can be found at howard.andrews.edu

Pioneer Operating Budget
In my younger years, my fascination with mathematics, particularly with the concept of multiplication, was immense. I was especially excited learning the principles of multiplication because it was one of the fastest ways to reach a higher total. Multiplication is a mathematical process that adds a number to itself repeatedly a specific number of times.
This mathematical principle later found an analogy in my spiritual journey. I realized that the growth of God's kingdom often resonates better with multiplication than addition.
For example, it is better to have five people each doing one ministry and teaching others to do the same, rather than for one person doing five ministries by himself. This is the essence of “disciplers” — disciples who train other disciples. Another way to step into the realm of such multiplication is through generous offerings to God.
When we present our offerings to God, He multiplies them, extending the blessings to many. We need not dwell on the mathematics of our giving or attempt to rationalize the outcomes. Merely giving in faith is sufficient. Reflect on the promise, “He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. The little that is wisely and economically used in the service of the Lord of heaven will increase in the very act of imparting” (Desire of Ages, p. 371).
Let’s see how God multiplies the gifts we give to Him.
—Melvin Santos, Kansas/Nebraska Conference in partnership with the North American Division Stewardship Ministries
Ruth Murdoch Elementary School is happy to announce that we have been officially granted accreditation by the Global Accreditor: The Middle States Association. This is in addition to accreditation by the National Council for Private School Accreditation and the Adventist Accrediting Association.
Andrews Academy will be presenting the 52nd annual Feast of Lights program on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The community is invited to attend this spectacular night of music, Scripture and drama honoring the King of Kings. It is an evening of lights, bells, instruments, choral singing, congregational singing, shepherds, a Nativity scene, and the retelling of a glorious Christmas story. Chorale and Orchestra will end the program with the Hallelujah chorus. The church sidewalks will be arrayed in Christmas lighting. The program will speak to your hearts of His wondrous love. All are invited to attend this free program held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.

Walk into the advent story... Share in the expectation... Experience God's Glory... Journey to Bethlehem - Come join take this FREE 1 hour walking journey through the Advent Story on December 14 from 5-8 PM. Meet shepherds, the wisemen, Roman soldiers, a Biblical marketplace, Mary and Joseph and discover why Christ came to this earth. Groups Leave from the Student Activity Center located at 6295 W Main St, Eau Claire, MI 49111. Tours leave every 10 minutes between 5 & 8 PM, December 14. No Reservations required, ALS interpreter available, please contact us in advance. Wheelchair accessible journey on paved sidewalk. Questions? Call or text 269-405-5026 or email us at Eauclairecritters@gmail.com.

Soup for Students is just around the corner! Sunday, December 7, at 6 PM in the PMC Commons. We’d love to know what you’re planning to bring—soup, bread, your smile, or all of the above! Simply text “NOURISH” to 269-281-2345 to sign up

