Organised by MEP Hannu Takkula, Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Freedom of Religion and Belief, the aim of the day was to explore lessons from the Reformation that can positively shape a future Europe.<\/p>\n
Dutch MEP Peter van Dalen equally focused on the importance of grace, noting that it was closely linked to \u2018doing justice\u2019 (Psalm 37). He stated that it is \u201cessential for us as politicians to seek justice and prevent injustice.\u201d He emphasised that \u201cgood government will seek the well-being of our neighbour,\u201d adding, \u201cGracious politics is directed to \u2018the other\u2019, the neighbour, the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dMartin Luther, with his transformed conscience, held fast to this concept, which has since inspired generations of believers and non-religious people alike. During Luther\u2019s speech at his trial at the Diet of Worms he reinforced a message for today: \u201cUnless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason, my conscience is captive to the Word of God.\u201d<\/p>\n However, for Kamal, this goes hand-in-hand with mission. Before highlighting some of the mission aspects of the church he leads, he emphasised, \u201cMost people know that Jesus came to bring forgiveness and grace \u2013 these are hallmarks of the Reformation. Less well known is the Biblical teaching that a true experience of the grace of Jesus Christ inevitably motivates persons, communities and nations to see and apply biblical justice and mercy in this world.\u201d [Read his full speech here<\/a>.]<\/p>\n Martin Luther might have been surprised if he had found himself sitting in the parliament building. Two speakers, both from a Catholic background, spoke highly of his contribution to the development of Europe. Mairead McGuinnes, First Vice-President of the European Parliament has developed a great deal of understanding and tolerance for those who think in different ways to the way she was brought up. \u201cEven my mother,\u201d she confessed, \u201cthought she could talk straight to Jesus and didn\u2019t need to go through an intermediary.\u201d She then reiterated the same point Kamal had been stressing, \u201cThe church must keep reforming.\u201d Even though Christianity is not so influential as it used to be in secular Europe, she emphasised that the Church plays in important part in our society.<\/p>\n![\"Simu](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/images_news-2017_Simu_Peura.jpg\" "\\"Bishop")
<\/a>From the start there was a strong emphasis on \u2018grace\u2019, a concept that, according to Bishop Simo Peura of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland, \u201copens the prophetical role of the community.\u201d He noted Luther\u2019s example in Wittenberg of a \u2018common purse for the poor\u2019, and his strong work ethic which was for the well-being of the whole community.<\/p>\n![\"Dezso](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/images_news-2017_Dezso_Buzogany.jpg\" "\\"Professor")
<\/a>The translation of the Bible into national languages was seen as significant by several speakers. The key, according to Hungarian Theologian and Historian, Dezs\u00f6 Buzog\u03acny, was that it put the Bible on the table of every family. It also helped establish the language and so, equally, led to national identity. The emphasis on reading Scripture led to education \u2013 even for girls! This transformed Europe. He strongly stated that school, social service and mission are still the key for today.<\/p>\n![\"Heikki](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/images_news-2017_Heikki_Huttunen.jpg\" "\\"Father")
<\/a>Speakers noted that many reformation issues were still highly significant today. \u201cTolerance is still a big issue\u201d said MEP Arne Lietz. Orthodox priest, Father Heikki Huttunen observed, that different Christian traditions can come together on \u2018the relevant, not the routine.\u2019 By this he meant that different approaches from a variety of backgrounds can lead to better understanding in areas of witness, justice and hospitality. \u201cMigration is an issue, not just for those coming into Europe, but also those moving internally,\u201d he explained. He stressed the need for safe entry into Europe to reduce human trafficking and criminal exploitation. \u201cThe church needs to bring this discussion to the table,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n![\"Raafat](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/images_news-2017_Raafat_Kamal.jpg\" "\\"Raafat")
<\/a>Kamal was one of the last speakers who led the attentive audience back to the concept of grace, expounding on the Old Testament principle in Micah 6:8, to \u201cdo justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.<\/p>\n![\"Reformation](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/images_news-2017_Reformation_uneding_Sabbath_keeping.jpg\" "\\"A")
<\/a>\u201cTo embrace religious freedom is to champion and integrate the dignity of human beings in our laws, culture and way of life,\u201d Kamal said. \u201cIt is to adopt a personal attitude of tolerance, whereby tolerance is an expression of solidarity with every member of the human family. It translates into respect for every human being, after all, we are created in God\u2019s image and this can only be genuine when other peoples\u2019 rights are respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Katrin](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/images_news-2017_Katrin_Hatzinger-lawyer.jpg\" "\\"Senior")
<\/a>Perhaps, not a surprise in the seat of European legislation, the final speaker was a lawyer though also a theologian. Katrin Hatzinger acknowledged Luther\u2019s mistakes in his treatment of the Anabaptists and Sabbatarians (among others), yet through those mistakes she saw the basis of learning for current dialogue. She sees the church as a \u201ccritical counterpart\u201d in legislative dialogue and also a great provider of expertise in, for instance, areas such as handling asylum seekers and refugees. On a religious liberty note she stated that \u201cWe want differences of churches to be recognised by the EU.\u201d<\/p>\n