A Tale of Two Worlds

It was October 31, 1571, when Martin Luther disclosed his 95 thesis that began the Reformation and the birth Protestantism. It was one of many acts that launched a revolution of thought that spread across Europe and beyond. It had the inertia of the Renaissance to its back which was centered around social change and new concepts. Johannes Gutenberg's mechanical printing press allowed the dispersal of knowledge and information to cross all boundaries of country and all perspective of mind. At the beginning of the movement, the Bible was only available in Latin, Greek or Hebrew. In 1535, the first English translation was completed. The mass printing that took place opened the door to put God's words in the hands of every man, woman and child. No longer would the common person have to depend on the clergy for spiritual direction and guidance. This story is about those times and the influence the Reformation was having on every city, town and hamlet across all of Europe. Its influence inspired promise, possibilities and opportunities in all fields of life. The characters in this story are fictitious, but their witness to the events and times of the period are not. Their stories and the like still carry on to this day. They had the same desires, the same dreams, shrouded by a cloak of perception that was in a constant state of change and transformation. Solomon claimed that there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. The Reformation was the season for change and forever a time for progress. Every sunrise offers a new opportunity for a change in direction, a change in heart, or a renewal of self. It's up to the observer to decide when and how the change will come about. To all it is given, and to all it shall always be.