Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Well, we all know what today is, right? It’s Reformation Day! Okay, that’s not what most people think of when October 31 rolls around each year. But, quite honestly, Reformation Day is far more important than tricking or treating. I know, most people would say that it’s not as much fun. But, I believe that it should be remembered, for a couple of reasons.
On this day in 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic priest/monk serving in Wittenberg, Germany, took a hammer and a nail, and posted what is known as his 95 Theses to the door of the church where he served. Whether Luther knew it at the time, he struck a blow for theological fidelity and religious freedom for all of us. Because, October 31, 1517 is recognized as sort of the official beginning of what is known as the Protestant Reformation; named so because of those “protesting” against the Catholic Church, calling for its “reform.”
Now, in truth, the Reformation began much earlier. Men like Jan Hus, John Wycliffe, and others stood up to a powerful and increasingly corrupted Church. Their reward? They were branded as heretics; many of them burned at the stake for daring to question the authority and accuracy of the Church.
You and I live in a time where the Church, Catholic or Protestant, seems to have less and less influence on our culture. So, it’s difficult for us to envision a time when the Church controlled and directed virtually every area of societal life. But, such was the case.
Martin Luther’s 95 Theses was a list of 95 specific areas of theological and practical concern where Luther saw that the Church had drifted from the truth of Scripture. Perhaps his action and his Theses are considered the beginning of the Reformation, because it was so public and word spread quickly of his actions. Nailing it to the church door was like the Facebook or Twitter (X) of Luther’s day.
I mentioned at the beginning of this stroll down church-history memory lane that I believe that Reformation Dayshould be remembered for a couple of reasons. One:
Scriptural integrity and authority matter. The second that any denomination, church, parachurch organization, or any person begins to stray from, ignore, or alter the clear teachings of the word of God, they have started down a path that leads away from the will of God and plays straight into the hands of the enemy.
Remember, at the time of the Reformation, all of society was “religious.” Everybody, and I do mean everybody went to church. But, the people were being taught a religion of works. And, a works religion never got anybody into Heaven. Luther’s famous quote: sola scriptura, emphasized the necessity of Scripture alone for our doctrinal beliefs and life practices. Two:
Spiritual fortitude and bravery are needed. Martin Luther, and the other men and women of the Reformationweren’t perfect; not by a long shot. But, when it counted, they were willing to stand up and be counted. They laid their lives on the line, and many of them lost their lives, because they knew that this mattered; to their generation, and generations to come.
Today, the authority and sufficiency of Scripture is under attack perhaps more than anytime in human history. As followers of Jesus Christ, you and I have to be willing to stand up and be counted; pointing people to God’s Word as the sole authority and sufficiency for our lives. Societal and cultural trends, personal feelings and preferences, even governments and politicians are all subservient to the Word of God. For such a time as this, bravery is needed to speak truth to lies. As the Apostle Paul writes:
As you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:2b-4)
When called to account for his teachings against the Catholic Church at a hearing known as The Diet of Worms, Martin Luther, when ordered to recant, concluded with remarks that you and I would do well to keep in mind as persecution against followers of Christ elevates in these last days:
“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted. My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.” (Martin Luther, April 18, 1521, Worms, Germany)
I love being your Pastor on Reformation Day and every day!
PC