Today is Reformation Sunday. Reformation Day is actually October 31st and a day remembering when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Growing up Baptist, I do not remember celebrating this day. I knew about the history of Reformation Sunday and what occurred, but I do not remember my church celebrating it.
To put it simply, it was in response to the Roman Catholic Church issuing certificates (indulgences) to certain persons that made a financial gift contributing to the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, promising that they or their loved ones would be freed from a portion of the misery that was expected in the afterlife. Martin Luther did not hold this view and insisted that we are not forgiven because of anything we do – including the buying of Indulgences or doing enough good work. Instead, we are forgiven because of who God is. We are loved and forgiven because God is full of grace and mercy. In other words, his“95 Theses,” which propounded two central beliefs — that the Bible is the central religious authority and that humans may reach salvation only by their faith and not by their deeds.
So today, I celebrate with my fellow Christians and as a Presbyterian. Service started this morning with the song Death Was Arrested, and it really got us moving! I really love that song. Wonderful service today!
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