Theology: Reformation Day (Oct. 31)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10 ESV)

Four Q & A

1. T or F? Reformation Day . . .

• Is an important liturgical festival that is celebrated by Lutherans and Christians of many other Protestant denominations.

• Commemorates Dr. Martin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517.

• This act triggered the movement in world history known as the Reformation. While the historical date for the observance of Reformation Day is October 31st, most churches celebrate it on the last Sunday in October.

• Answers: All true

2. What was the Protestant Reformation?

The Reformation was the great rediscovery of the good news of salvation by grace through faith for Christ's sake. This religious movement had profound and lasting impacts on the political, economic, social, literary, and artistic aspects of modern society.

3. Why was the Church in Need of Reform?

“For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church had been plagued by false doctrines, superstition, ignorance, and corruption. Since most ordinary Christians were illiterate and had little knowledge of the Bible, they relied on their clergy for religious instruction and guidance.

Tragically however, monks, priests, bishops, and even the popes in Rome taught unbiblical doctrines like purgatory and salvation through good works. Spiritually earnest people tried to justify themselves by charitable works, pilgrimages, and all kinds of religious performances and devotions, but they were left wondering if they had done enough to escape God's anger and punishment.

The truth of the gospel—the good news that God is loving and merciful, that He offers each and every one of us forgiveness and salvation not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has already done for us—was largely forgotten by both clergy and laity.

The Holy Spirit used an Augustinian monk and university professor named Martin Luther to restore the gospel to its rightful place as the cornerstone doctrine of Christianity.”—Q & A About Reformation Day

4. Who was Martin Luther?

“Martin Luther was born in 1483 in the town of Eisleben in the area of Germany called Thuringia. His parents brought him up in the strict religious environment of the Roman Catholic Church. They provided for his education by enrolling him in the Latin schools of Thuringia. The young Luther was a promising student, so his father sent him to the University of Erfurt in 1501 to study law. He did very well at his studies and graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1505.

But Luther was a troubled and morbidly unhappy man. Like many others of his time, Luther was distressed by his sins and lived in terrible and constant fear of God's angry judgment. After being caught in a ferocious thunderstorm that seemed to threaten his very life, Luther abandoned his plans to practice law and entered an Augustinian monastery.” Discover more here…

Related: Martin Luther’s Views on Marriage,
posted by Chrysalis

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Do you consider the Reformation an important event in Christian history?

Photos: Wittenburg Door (Underground Exiles), Martin Luther (stpaulskingsville.org)