The Theologian's Daughter

Note to the Reader (Pre-read / Context):
November is historically remembered as Reformation Month among mainline Protestant churches worldwide. While it is important to remember the early reformers, especially Martin Luther and his 95 Theses, it is equally important to turn our attention to the Reformation of the East.

Cleansing: The Heart of Reformation

When I think about the cleansing of my heart, I am often reminded of the incident recorded in the Gospels where Jesus cleansed the temple. I’ve seen so many memes of Jesus flipping tables (and honestly, they make me laugh), but I think I often forget what exactly Jesus was cleansing the temple of.

When I re-read those passages, I wondered: why was Jesus upset about people selling at the temple? After all, don’t we sometimes have stalls in our own churches today?

Here’s what I understood:

1. Moneychangers were profiting off worshippers under the guise of ritual purification.
2. Those selling animals for sacrifice were charging unfair amounts to pilgrims who had traveled far.
   

Jesus wasn’t angry at the convenience offered to worshippers. He was angry at the exploitation hidden behind it. What was meant to be holy had been turned into something profitable.

This is what holy anger can do: it calls us to confront injustice, upturn corrupt systems, and ensure the underprivileged aren’t being taken advantage of. Jesus set this example beautifully.

I am also reminded of another moment that took place eighteen centuries later, in Kerala. Abraham Malpan, often called the “Martin Luther of the East,” sought to reform the Malankara Church and return it to the primacy of Scripture. He recognized that a wooden statue in his parish had become more important than the God it was meant to point toward. So he threw the statue into the church’s well. He was grieved by the deviation in worship.

This holy anger led to conviction: the courage to say,
“If this is not what God wants, let it be removed, even if done painfully.”

These moments, separated by eighteen hundred years, remind us that holy anger is not about rage. It is about refocusing on the heart of worship—a burning desire for God’s house, God’s truth, and God’s people. Different eras, different contexts, yet the same spiritual impulse.

As we step into Advent, may we carry this spirit of Reformation forward. May we ask ourselves: “What in my heart needs to be cleansed? What tables have I allowed to remain unturned?” May we let God call us, refine us and use us, even if it means flipping tables in the spaces He’s placed us.

May we all have a Blessed Advent!

Note to the Reader (Post-read /Reflection):
Abraham Malpan’s reforms eventually led to the formation of the Mar Thoma Church. Even if your own faith heritage did not come through this particular movement, his spirit and courage remains an inspiration. Reformation is bigger than denominations, it is always a call to return our worship to Christ alone.

It is my prayer that reformation would not be a movement limited to a certain time and place, but a lifelong journey for each of us.

May we continue to reform.

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For those interested in learning more about the Reformation of the East and Abraham Malpan’s wider contributions, you can read more here:  Marthoma – The Church Heritage