Re-reading Luther: An Attempt to Recover Some Significant Aspects in the Life and Practice of the Church of Ceylon since Independence (1948) .

Abstract

The paper aims to revisit the ‘Reformation propositions’ and in the light of Luther’s thinking to adopt and learn what might be relevant to the life and practice of the church of Ceylon. It explores some ecclesiastical and theological attempts proposed and experimented by the church of Ceylon since its independence in 1948. How best, the church of Ceylon as a ‘Protestant tradition’ has managed to forge and conduct as a ‘faith tradition’ wanting to be part of a land no longer under its previous masters and the ecclesiastical courage to call it ‘church of Ceylon’ which in itself was and is a public witness and an attempt to be part of the indigenous population of Sri Lanka and their hopes and aspirations of an independent country. The paper will discuss this above objective along the line of reforms necessary as a tradition to be a Christian community witnessing to the Gospel while its practice is driven through ecumenical spirit and the willingness to be authentically a ‘church of Ceylon’- a home grown model.