Happy Reformation Day!
A Look Back on The Significance of Martin Luther's 95 Theses And The Beginning of The Protestant Reformation
Today marks the anniversary of one of the most significant events in World and Church History: the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church; or, Reformation Day. This day, which changed the course of the Western World forever, is unfortunately not well known; being overshadowed by the far less significant holiday of Halloween (I for one, am a big fan of the holiday; however, it does not hold a candle in terms of historical significance as Reformation Day). This day is not merely important as a religious remembrance, but more so as an event which changed Christianity, and therefor the world, forever. Whether it was changed for the better, will be discussed later on.
On October 31, 1517, a young monk named Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper containing 95 Theses for academic debate on the door of the Wittenberg Church. The Theses were primarily addressing the sale of indulgences, or, “certificates of remission” one could purchase in order to relieve time in purgatory for oneself, or a loved one. Martine Luther abhorred the very idea that one could buy forgiveness, or buy God’s mercy. In response to this, Luther drew up 95 topics, or “theses” for debate, and nailed them on the door of the Wittenberg Church. Luther very much intended this to be a private, academic debate. However, someone else read the theses and was very intrigued. This person (we do not know who) translated them into German and used the newly invented printing press to distribute them all over Wittenberg. These theses intended for a small, private, academic debate were soon being distributed and read all over Germany, and later the entire Western World. This “little scrap of paper” as Luther would call it in his later years, would kick start the Protestant Reformation.
Much has been written and debated regarding Martin Luther. Did he rescue the church from oppression and help to restore the New Testament model and spirit of the church? Or did he tear apart and divide Christ’s body, opening an impassable gulf between believers? These are important considerations, each deserves an appropriate and respectable amount of consideration. From one perspective Luther drove a wedge between believers by splitting from the Catholic Church, thus dividing Christ’s body. His was an act of apostasy, a heresy of the highest order which violated Christ’s desire for believers to be one. His refusal to recant is seen as an obtuse display of pride, of a character far more concerned with his character than the unity of the church. On the other hand, Luther is seen as a hero of the faith who rescued the church from a dark age of papal rule. He saved the church from a corrupt system, and gave believers the ability to access God on their own, without the intercession of the papacy. More so, with his later translation of the New Testament from Latin into the common German of his day, Luther gave believers access to the Scriptures, that they may read and discern for themselves.
Going too far one way or the other on this subject would be unhelpful. But examining each view and the perspective each gives is beneficial for gaining a better historical perspective. The church of the day was corrupt. Building massive and impressive Cathedrals off the money made off the sale of indulgences, some of which promised complete remission of sins forever! Papal offices were not earned, but purchased, and with the purchase of a papal office came power and influence, as well as luxury and prosperity. Luther’s Theses were made necessary by circumstances of their day. If Luther had not written them, someone else along the line would have. The church demanded such a call to accountability. On the other hand, Luther’s act, even if he did not intend to do so (Luther sought to reform, not split or create a new church), did divide the church, thus causing division and animosity between believers.
To judge what a man should have done is never really helpful when considering history. There is a kind of arrogance that accompanies such a mindset, one which sees oneself as intellectually and morally superior simply because one happens to live in the present age. At the end of the day, Luther believed he was serving God, and doing his Will. I cannot judge what God’s Will for Luther was. That is between God and Luther. What I can do, what is helpful, is to examine the significance of what happened and how it has affected the present state of the church. Simply put, Luther’s Theses proved that within the church, there is always a spirit of checks and balances. This is because Christianity in of itself is always a rebellious sect within the world. It is an alternative Kingdom within and in the midst of the kingdoms of the world (all of which, according to Scripture, are under the dominion perverted influence of the Evil One). The light of this Kingdom shines a light on and exposes the hideous alternative rule we have chosen; Christ’s rule reveals the rulers of this age to be false and under his dominion. Christians are thus always rebelling against the present age, but not by violence nor rising up against the oppressors, but by living as citizens of the true Kingdom; living in a way that is countercultural to this present age. This is how the faith slowly began to take over and transform the Roman Empire, as well as every empire. Even when Christianity became the official religion of Rome, and thus through Constantine’s rule became more widespread, Christianity still within itself embodied that same rebellious spirit. It rebelled against itself. When the church became institutionalized, pious believers retreated out into the desert to be alone with God. People soon began to follow them out into the desert, and communities of monks devoted to prayer and the spiritual life were soon formed. When even these monasteries became corrupted by the state, a faithful monk named Benedict set forth a ‘rule’ for all who desired to live the spiritual, monastic life faithfully to follow.
Luther’s acts were of the same spirit. The church demanded accountability, and Luther was the fiery monk perfect for the task. Whether or not Luther went too far is a matter for a different discussion. The spirit of the 95 Theses is one which should give us hope as we reflect on this significant day. In today’s spiritual predicament in North America, where churches seem to be closing and the Christian faith seems to be conforming more and more to the pattern of this world, we can take heart in remembering Luther and what his Theses represent: true faith in every age. No matter the current situation of the state or even the church, there will always be those faithful members who have not and will not bow the knee to Baal (Romans 11:4). Churches die, Christ will never die again. So as you sit at home tonight waiting for trick or treaters, maybe google the 95 Theses and read a few of them. After all, for most of my readers, the church you go to and the Bible you read was only made possible because of that little scrap of paper.