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 Renew and grow your faith as you experience places of importance for Protestant/Evangelical Christianity. From Germany and the roots of the Reformation to England, explore the lives of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, John and Charles Wesley, John Newton, and C.H. Spurgeon. By combining faith and travel, you will gain a better understanding of the world while also learning more about the roots of your religion.
Protestant/Evangelical Christianity, 2009 Vacations
What Can You Experience?
- All Saints Castle Church where Martin Luther hung his 95 Theses
- Nuremberg, the first town to accept the Reformation
- Augustinian Monastery, where Martin Luther served as a monk
- Worms, site of the Imperial Council
- Augsburg, home to the Augsburg Confession
- Grossmunster Church, the Reformation mother church in Switzerland under Ulrich Zwingli
- Geneva where John Calvin and John Knox preached
- St. Giles Cathedral, the mother church of Presbyterianism
- John Wesley Chapel and The New Room, the world's oldest Methodist building
- Westminster Abbey with its memorial to John and Charles Wesley
Stories and Religious Sites
Learn more about the cities and places you'll see and people you'll learn about on a Lands of Protestant Christianity Globus vacation by clicking on the locations and names below. Augsburg
In the Protestant Christian tradition, Augsburg is possibly best know as being the city where the Augsburg Confession was written and decreed. In short, the Augsburg Confession was the first, formal declaration of Lutheran and Reformation beliefs and theology. The Augsburg Confession today remains an integral component of Protestant Christian teachings, beliefs, and theology. The Augsburg Confession was presented at the Imperial Diet (meeting) in Augsburg in 1530.
Canterbury
Canterbury is best known for two things: (1) It is the home of the worldwide Anglican community (2) It is the site where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered. The cathedral is one of the most recognized Christian churches in the world and has a long, glorious history. It is the ‘Mother Church’ of the Church of England. The first bishop of Canterbury was the famed St. Augustine. At one point during the Middle Ages, Canterbury Cathedral became one of the most famous places of pilgrimage - so much so, that Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about it in the celebrated “Canterbury Tales”.
Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley is the younger brother of John Wesley, and was born in 1708 in Epworth. In addition to being a primary catalyst of the Methodist faith and teachings, Charles is best remembered as being a prolific Christian hymn writer. He is said to have written about 9,000 hymns and to this day many of his hymns are sung everyday throughout Christian churches around the world including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," and "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." Charles formed the "Oxford Methodist" group which his brother John joined in 1729, and in later years traveled to Savannah, Georgia, with his brother to perform missionary work and preaching. Charles died in 1788, however, the Methodist faith which he helped create and influence had begun to spread.
C.S. Lewis
Best known as the author of the Chronicles of Narnia series, C.S. Lewis is also regarded as possibly the 20th century's greatest Christian apologist. Hollywood and Disney recently turned his book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe into a blockbuster movie. Mere Christianity is possibly his most famous Christian book. C.S. Lewis' real full-name is Clive Staples Lewis and lived from 1898 - 1963. An Irish author, he lived and taught in Oxford for many years. Among his closest friends was J.R.R. Tolkien, best known as the author of The Lord of the Rings. In fact, C.S. Lewis shared many friends who were writers and formed a literary group called the Inklings. C.S. Lewis lived most of his life as a single bachelor, only marrying a few years before his death at the age of 64. He is buried at Holy Trinity Church in Oxford. Hollywood and Disney are currently preparing for the launch of the movie Prince Caspian, based on another book by C.S. Lewis.
Eisenach
Eisenach played a prominent role in the life of Martin Luther as he spent several (different) periods of his life here, and he had close family ties in this city. As a child he attended St. George's school from 1498 to 1501. He returned in later years to preach at St. George's Church. Today there are numerous sites to visit related to his life. Among the most significant is the Luther House, which features a modern exhibition with high-tech educational tools about the life of Martin Luther, 16th century Germany, and the early days of Protestant Christianity. At St. George's Church, one can sit in the very pews where Martin Luther once sang as a choirboy from 1498 to 1501 (Martin Luther later became very well known for his musical talents and hymn writing). Near Eisenach is Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German.
Eisleben
In addition to Wittenberg, Eisleben is probably the most significant city to visit for those following in the footsteps of Martin Luther. It is here where Martin Luther was born in 1483, preached the last sermons of his life, and where he died in 1546. On the Globus tour, you will visit the World Heritage Site of Luther's Birth House. Many items related to the life of Martin Luther can be seen at the house, including the kitchen where he was born, as well as numerous documents from Luther's childhood and adolescence years. The other World Heritage Site in Eisleben that the Globus tour visits is the house in St. Andrew's Church Square where Luther died. Today the house is a memorial to Martin Luther's death and an exhibition provides insight into his last day's and thoughts about death. The third prominent site in Eisleben related to Martin Luther's life is the late Gothic church of St. Andrew, where he gave his last four sermons of his life. It is also where the first memorial services for Luther were held. The church features Luther's original pulpit. At the nearby Church of St. Peter and Paul, this is where Luther was baptized on November 11, 1483.
Erfurt
Located in central Germany, Erfurt gained fame and recognition for being home to the Augustinian monastery where Luther served as monk and priest. Among the many sites to visit here include where Luther took his vows as a priest, the cell where he slept, and a permanent exhibition about Luther and the Protestant Reformation. As for a timeline, Luther studied in Erfurt at the university from 1501-1505; in 1505 he entered the Augustinian monastery; and in 1507 he was ordained a priest inside the Augustinian monastery. Today the monastery is home to a Protestant religious community.
Geneva
Referred to as "Protestant Rome" in the early days of the Reformation, Geneva became home to many key Protestant Reformers - the most famous among them John Calvin. Second only to Martin Luther in regards to his influence over the Reformation and today's Protestant faith, John Calvin in many ways transformed the philosophical, political, religious, and social landscape of Europe. St. Peter's Cathedral where he preached can be visited. Today Geneva is recognized as an international city and it is here where the World Council of Churches and Lutheran World Federation headquarters lie. As Geneva in many ways became the "hotbed" of Protestant Christianity, many reformers came here to learn from John Calvin. This fact is commemorated in Geneva's Reformation Wall, which features four prominent figures of the Reformation in Geneva:
- Guillaume Farel (1489-1565), one of the first to preach the Reformation in Geneva
- Jean Calvin (1509-1564) the "pope" of the reformers
- Théodore de Bèze (1513-1605), first rector of the Academy
- John Knox (1513-1572), founder of Presbyterianism in Scotland.
John Bunyan
John Bunyan is best known for being the author of the famed “Pilgrim's Progress”, considered one of the most famous Christian books of all - as well as one of the most widely read English language books.. Many Protestant missionaries would provide copies of this book, along with the Bible, to those to whom they ministered. The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory of one man's journey to the Celestial City in search of salvation while facing trials and tribulations along the way. John was born in 1628 and died in 1688.
John Wesley
John Wesley is credited with being the founder of today's Methodist faith. Born in 1703 at Epworth, John was the fifteenth child and the son of Susanna and Samuel Wesley. He grew up in England and became a clergy member and theologian of the Anglican faith. Educated at Christ Church in Oxford, John was elected fellow of Lincoln College and together with his brother Charles Wesley started a religious study group called the Holy Club. The group received the label "Methodists" from outsiders for their emphasis on methodical study and devotion. At one point in his life, John traveled from England to Savannah, Georgia to conduct missionary work. Subsequent to this trip, John returned to England and began preaching everywhere and holding hundreds of revival gatherings and meetings. Until his death in 1791, John remained a member of the Church of England. However, his preaching, writings, and religious movement led to today's Methodist faith. Today, the Wesley teachings form the foundation of Methodist faith and beliefs, and served as the prelude to other Christian traditions including Pentecostalism, parts of the Charismatic movement, and the Christian and Missionary Alliance.
London
Primarily an Anglican city, London is home to many Christian churches and cathedrals including the famed Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral. The Wesley's House and Chapel features the London chapel built by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. This chapel replaced his original chapel called The Foundery. One of the key sites to visit at Wesley's chapel is the Methodist Museum (located in the crypt), which features many documents and items relating to the founding and history of the Methodist faith. John Wesley lived in the house for the last 11 years of his life and today his tomb is located in the chapel itself. London is also home to Spurgeon Metropolitan Tabernacle, a Reformed Baptist church which the very influential "Prince of Preachers" Charles Haddon Spurgeon founded and where he preached his numerous famous sermons. Spurgeon is seen as a "father" in many ways for Reformed Christians of different denominations, and is viewed as one of the great Christian preachers of the past few centuries.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther is recognized as the "father" of Protestantism and the primary catalyst behind the Protestant Reformation. Born in 1483 at Eisleben, Luther grew up in Germany and later became an Augustinian monk in Erfurt. A scholar, theologian, and priest, Luther grew increasingly dissatisfied with the abuses taking place within the Catholic Church (especially with the selling of indulgences) and in 1517, he posted his 95 thesis to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg (the 95 thesis were essentially a listing of his personal beliefs and exposition of abuses within the Catholic Church). This posting sparked the Protestant Reformation, that is, the reforming of the Christian faith into new movements and traditions. The Catholic Church later excommunicated Martin Luther, who subsequently inspired and shaped today's Lutheran and Protestant faiths and doctrines. His writings and actions ultimately influenced Western Civilization as we know it today. Luther married in 1525 to Katharina von Bora. Luther died in 1546 at Eisleben, the very city where he was born 62 years earlier.
Oxford
Just the thought of Oxford drums up images of brilliant minds and Ivy League-type colleges. What is sometimes lesser known is Christianity's long history in Oxford. Often referred to as the "city of dreaming spires," Oxford began simply as a home to a women's convent in the eight century. As time moved on, many of the large and very influential Catholic religious orders founded houses here including the Cistercians, Dominicans, Augustinians, Carmelites, and Franciscans. Today, in Christian circles Oxford is best known for its spectacular Christ Church Cathedral, which combines a cathedral and college chapel in one. Oxford is also the home of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tokien, and many other well known or influential writers.
Wartburg Castle
Almost anyone familiar with the life of Martin Luther knows that one of his most famous achievements was the translation of the Bible into German. What not everyone knows, however, are the conditions in which he performed this accomplishment. After his excommunication and proclamation of beliefs at the Diet of Worms, Luther escaped under disguise to Wartburg Castle, which lies near Eisenach and overlooks the city. During this time from 1521 to 1522, Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German. Today, the Castle and study room in which Martin Luther performed this monumental feat can be visited.
William Carey
William Carey is one of the greatest known Christian missionaries, and is often referred to as the "father of modern missions." Born in 1761, William was a member of the Church of England, although later became a Baptist minister. He founded the Baptist Missionary Society, a missionary organization dedicated to spreading the Gospel to remote places around the world (the society still exists today and works in more than 40 countries around the world). One of William's great accomplishments was translating the Bible into the local languages where he served as a missionary. While in India, he translated the Bible into Sanskrit, Bengali, and other local dialects. In addition to his missionary work, he served as pastor at several churches including the Baptist church in Olney. William died in 1834.
Wittenberg
Wittenberg is considered one of the most prominent places in the life of Martin Luther, and is a must for anyone wishing to follow in the footsteps of the great Reformer. Here in Wittenberg, one can visit the most pivotal site of the Protestant Reformation - the door of Castle Church where Luther posted his 95 Thesis in 1517. Today, the tomb of Martin Luther lies inside the Castle Church, which visitors can also see. Other key sites to visit in Wittenberg include:
- Luther's Home: Martin Luther lived with his wife Katharina von Bora in his Wittenberg home for 35 years. Today, the Luther House features the world's largest Reformation history museum. One can see such sites as Luther's living room, refectory, Luther's pulpit, and his monk's habit.
- St. Mary's Church It is here where Martin Luther preached throughout his time in Wittenberg (after he left the Catholic Church). One of the more prominent items to see while visiting St. Mary's Church is the Lord's Supper painting by Lucas Cranach the elder, which includes the faces of Luther and other reformers.
Worms
Worms Cathedral is located in southwestern Germany and is a Catholic Cathedral. It is well known for its outstanding Romanesque design and structure. It is also this cathedral where in 1521 the Catholic Church and Emperor personally addressed Martin Luther about his views, writings, and beliefs. Shortly after the conclusion of the general assembly at Worms, Martin Luther was declared an outlaw and escaped to Wartburg Castle under the protection of Elector Friedrich the Wise.
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