FAQ
Do you have a question about Refo500? First, please look at the FAQ, it is possible that your question has been asked and you may find the answer here. For other questions and information, please feel free to complete the contact form.
1. What is the Reformation?
The Reformation was a 16th century movement of renewal and change, initiated with the action of the German professor Martin Luther. In 1517, he nailed his 95 theses on the abuses in the church to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This action is considered the start of what later became known as the Reformation. After this followed a rapid pace of development in which great changes took place acrosse Europe in many spheres.
2. Is the Reformation only for Protestants?
Out of the Reformation of the 16th century many Protestant churches did indeed arise. This movement also had a significant impact upon the Roman Catholic church. Out of the Reformation, the Roman Catholic church also recognizes namely their own Roman Catholic reform (which is also known as the counter-Reformation). Refo500 also focuses on the Roman Catholic reform.
3. With what time frame are you dealing?
Refo500 shows the time of the Reformation starting with the birth of Martin Luther in 1483 until the peace of Westphalia in 1648.
3. What is Refo500?
Refo500 is a project of the Refo500 Foundation, in which many partners are involved. The goal of the project is “in the time approaching 2017, to bring broad national and international attention to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and its relevance on the principle of renewal and change in the past, present, and future, which includes a focus on such areas as the: historical, theological, religious, political, social, and cultural.
4. Why the Refo500 project?
During the Calvijnjaar 2009 project, people had many ways to acquaint themselves with the ideas and influence of John Calvin. The success of the Calvijnjaar 2009 project formed the impetus for the Refo500 project.
5. Why the name Refo500?
The name Refo is short and easy to use internationally. Refo500 indicates that the project is concerned with the Reformation and not only with the reformer Martin Luther. We realize that Refo also associaties us with what ‘reformational’ can evoke. Others might associtate Refo with “Protestants.” In itself we do not consider this a problem, but we desire at the same time that Refo500 be more than simply reformational or Protestant.
6. Why does Refo500 make connections?
Refo500 desires to make connections between themes from the time of the Reformation to our own. Here are the key words: renewal, change, and central relevance. As Refo500 project explains the connections among the parties within the project, between the parties and each other’s networks, and between the content of the project and the target audiences.
7. Why is Refo500 a broad project?
From the start, our efforts have been to make Refo500 a broad project; that is, (1) a project in which many partners with different backgrounds participate; (2) a project that has a broad focus (historical, theological, religious, political, social, and cultural), and (3) a project that has a broad target audience.
8. What is the mission of Refo500?
Refo500 desires to make connections between themes from the time of the Reformation to our own. We desire to help people today to understand the significance of the Reformation, to discover its relevance, and to see as well as experience its influence in various areas. We desire to do this in a contemporary and fresh way, with an open attitude towards the past and the present, as well as towards the church, culture, and society.
8. Why should I concern myself with something that happened so long ago?
Relevance is an important word for Refo500. This means that it is not so much facts and tidbits from the past, but above all what you have here today. This also applies to the great influence of the Reformation in many fields, several of which can still be seen.
9. Who are the partners of Refo500?
Participants in Refo500 include Protestant and Roman Catholic organisations, universities, museums, media partners, commercial partners, and so forth. The project is also open to other partners. Read more here.
10. Can I become a partner of the Refo500 project?
The project is open to partners. Read the conditions here.
11. What can I expect in the years ahead?
Refo500 has many ways to draw attention to the Reformation. You can consider traveling to cities of the Reformation, radio and tv programs, books, cds, workshops, lesson plans, exhibitions, concerts, evening discussions, and so forth. The timeline of current events can tell you all about it.
12. What topics are covered throughout 2010?
Refo500 has chosen nine main themes: education and science; confession and conflict; money and power; doctrine and church; life and death; art and culture; freedom and preaching; renewal and piety; the Bible and language.
13. Who do you want Refo500 to reach?
Refo500 focuses on a broad audeince and desires to reach everyone.
14. I am younger, what does Refo500 have for me?
Refo500 desires to place special attention on youth in the project. Besides, the Reformation was a movement which at that time was very significant for young people.
