Today marks the day that Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" to the door of the Castle Church to start a scholarly discussion on the nature of grace, especially since the indulgences that John Tetzel was selling in the Pope's name. These Theses were shortly thereafter taken down and republished using the brand-new printing press, allowing Luther's challenges to be published in the surrounding countries, certainly something he was not expecting. While we might not agree with the 95 Theses themselves, we certainly recognize their impact on Luther and his subsequent writings, as he battled against the Pope and the Catholic doctrines that focused on salvation by works. We must also recognize that his was a moderate Reformation; he did not want to overthrow the Church, but only wanted to reform it, which ended up being impossible. So the Lutheran Church was started, eventually gaining political recognition with the subscription of many German princes to the Augsburg Confession in 1530, and freedom with the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. And so we confess with Luther that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Reformation Day!
It's Reformation Day here in Germany! And while there wasn't as much fanfare as one might expect (in fact, it's mostly forgotten in society), I got to sing "Ein Feste Burg" twice today, as well as other beloved Lutheran hymns.
Today marks the day that Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" to the door of the Castle Church to start a scholarly discussion on the nature of grace, especially since the indulgences that John Tetzel was selling in the Pope's name. These Theses were shortly thereafter taken down and republished using the brand-new printing press, allowing Luther's challenges to be published in the surrounding countries, certainly something he was not expecting. While we might not agree with the 95 Theses themselves, we certainly recognize their impact on Luther and his subsequent writings, as he battled against the Pope and the Catholic doctrines that focused on salvation by works. We must also recognize that his was a moderate Reformation; he did not want to overthrow the Church, but only wanted to reform it, which ended up being impossible. So the Lutheran Church was started, eventually gaining political recognition with the subscription of many German princes to the Augsburg Confession in 1530, and freedom with the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. And so we confess with Luther that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.
Today marks the day that Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" to the door of the Castle Church to start a scholarly discussion on the nature of grace, especially since the indulgences that John Tetzel was selling in the Pope's name. These Theses were shortly thereafter taken down and republished using the brand-new printing press, allowing Luther's challenges to be published in the surrounding countries, certainly something he was not expecting. While we might not agree with the 95 Theses themselves, we certainly recognize their impact on Luther and his subsequent writings, as he battled against the Pope and the Catholic doctrines that focused on salvation by works. We must also recognize that his was a moderate Reformation; he did not want to overthrow the Church, but only wanted to reform it, which ended up being impossible. So the Lutheran Church was started, eventually gaining political recognition with the subscription of many German princes to the Augsburg Confession in 1530, and freedom with the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. And so we confess with Luther that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.
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