Welcome!

A new publication is always something of an adventure, and the inaugural edition of Leben is no exception. Our goal was to not only rekindle an interest in the rich history of the Reformed Church, but to celebrate the wonderful mosaic of Reformed life, past and present.

The history of Reformed life is, to a great extent, the history of Protestantism, for it is from Reformed soil that most expressions of the Protestant church sprang. Because so much of the believing church today shares part of this history, we hope that the retelling will be of interest to the broader church community, as well. It is a history that shouts forth the mercy of God, as tragedy and triumph so evidently worked together to accomplish His will.

In the following pages, you will meet Anna Reinhard Zwingli, the wife of the founder of the Reformed Church. It is appropriate that this under-appreciated Reformer grace our first cover, and that the remarkable Anna Reinhard be the subject of our first article.

We have included an historical sermon by the Rev. Jacob Helffenstein accusing a seminary of subverting the historic Protestant doctrine of justification by faith. What may surprise many of our readers is that the institution in question was the German Reformed Church seminary at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. The year? 1852.

In our Profiles in Faith, you will read the moving account of the first minister of the Gospel to be martyred by the Nazis in Germany. Pastor Paul Schneider is a name that every Christian, but especially every Reformed Christian, should know. There is also the story of the Keller family and their ordeal on the frontier during the French and Indian War.

This first issue of Leben is sent to friends of City Seminary as an expression of our thankfulness for all the Lord has done for us. We have so many stories to tell that we can hardly wait for our second issue. If you are not already a supporter of the ministry of City Seminary and would like to continue receiving Leben, then please, use the attached envelope to let us know. We'd love to hear from you.

WCJ
Editor and Publisher