It may say Halloween on the calendar, but today we celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, marked by Martin Luther’s famous nailing of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church in 1517. (I suppose you could dress up like Martin Luther if you wanted to – but may not be the biggest hit at your costume party – ha!)
This summer I stood in front of that door in Wittenberg and was moved by Luther’s desire to get his message out in the face of incredible opposition.
The goal at the time was to raise discussion of reform needed. He was outraged by Johann Tetzel, who was selling indulgences for people to buy their way out of Purgatory as a way to raise money for Pope Leo X.
Eventually printed editions of the Theses were published and circulated across Germany and Switzerland, “far beyond my expectation”, said Luther. Later, Luther’s “Sermon on Indulgences and Grace” would also be printed and become an instant hit – the starting point for the Reformation.
The impact of Luther’s actions were far-reaching. What began at one church door in Germany expanded through Europe, crossed oceans to the Americas, and impacted South Africa, India, Australia and New Zealand. It was the hammer heard around the world, bringing the good news to people of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
Let’s remember Martin Luther today and be encouraged by his act of courage almost 500 years ago!
God bless you,
Nelson
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