500 jaar Reformatie in postchristelijk Europa

Samenvatting

This article examines the challenges and opportunities of commemorating the
Reformation in Europe today. Although secularization of the ‘Old World’ has taken its
toll on the memory of the Reformation, the continued existence of religious pockets in
society urges caution in a applying the term ‘post-Christian’ to Europe. 2017 presents a
welcome opportunity to expand religious literacy. The popular understanding of
Luther as a ribald monk or as the grandfather of contemporary notions of tolerance,
democracy and freedom of conscience does not serve the memory of the Reformation.
Rather, only when the Reformation is understood as a deeply religious development is
it possible to assess the long-term influence of sixteenth century events and discuss
their significance for contemporary Europe.