Thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Unquenchable Flame - introducing the Reformation" whilst on holiday last week. (IVP; ISBN 978-1-84474-385-8). A brilliant introduction to the most formative period in our nation's history.

The doctrine of justification by faith alone affects everything - our confidence, our worship, church life, art, music....

Interesting that Johann Sebastian Bach was an ardent Lutheran all the way down to his tapping toes. Hence his version of "Hosanna" is strikingingly different from the Catholic version sung dutifully since it was penned in 1555. When the exact same piece was given Bach's lutheran treatment 190 years later:

"It has an entirely different resonance:now the hosannas are belted out with an unmistakable, unbounded enthusiasm and joy. Such was the natural effect of believing Luther's doctrine of justication (pg. 172)."

And how about this quote from William Tyndale who gave us our first bible in English:

"Evangelion (the Gospel) is a greek word and signifieth good, merry, glad and joyful tidings, that maketh a man's heart glad and maketh him sing, dance and leap for joy."