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A blog post on the First Things web site some time ago was drawn to my attention by a couple colleagues as we were eating lunch the other day. A perceptive remark was made about it. The article, by a LCMS pastor, is rather typical of what the Roman Catholic journal, First Things, loves to publish: hand-wringing articles by Lutherans over the Reformation. In the article, the pastor opines that the better color for Reformation Sunday would be a color of mourning, rather than a festive red. He laments the Reformation as a tragedy. He is correct, but for the...

Below is a set of theses from the late Dr. Marquart, posted here in honor of the Reformation. Originally written for class and perhaps a conference, they speak of what exactly Sola Scriptura means and what it means for the church. Blessed Festival of the Reformation! Verbum domini manet in aeternum. The two focal points of the Reformation conflict were the Gospel’s core content (justification) and the Gospel’s authority (Scripture alone—sola scriptura).“Sola scriptura” means to assert the sole authority of Christ over His church, to the exclusion of all other powers and authorities. IESOUS KYRIOS (Jesus is Lord, I Cor....

I’m just going to come right out with this – I do not like Halloween. Don’t get me wrong, if you have your kids out there dressed up as little Jedis and Harry Potters visiting your neighbors and enjoying some extra treats, there’s not anything wrong with that. The fact that Halloween has become the holiday second only to Christmas in spending in the United States is a little disconcerting though. I do generally take my kids trick or treating at an event before Halloween, or as I prefer to call it Reformation Day. We usually participate in a campground...

October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the castle church door of Wittenberg. This was a common way of making announcements at the time, and since November 1st is All Saints day, a day of special observance, crowds were guaranteed to see the announcements. At the heart of the 95 theses was a custom of the day, selling indulgences in order to raise money for the church. The general idea was that one could buy more rapid exit from purgatory for one’s self or a relative. In the famous words of Johann Tetzel, “Sobald der Gülden im...

Luther sensed deeply the stare of Christ the Judge standing over him, demanding of him an impossible level of inner purity. Luther's Upbringing Luther was the second son in a family of eight children. His father and mother were sturdy German Bauern (peasants): coarse, credulous, and devout. Often in the beliefs of these untutored folk, elements of old German paganism blended with the Christian story: woods, winds, and water were peopled by elves, gnomes, fairies, mermen and mermaids, sprites and witches; and witchcraft was taken for granted throughout Europe. Young Luther had ample opportunity to witness the mischief and grief...

Slovenia is on Wednesday celebrating Reformation Day dedicated to the Reformation and Protestant movement, which brought Slovenians their first books in own language. The government decided in March that Reformation Day would not be marked with a high-profile national ceremony this year, due to cost cutting. However, the Slovenian Protestant Association Primož Trubar held a ceremony in Ljubljana's arts centre Cankarjev dom on the eve of the bank holiday, with President Danilo Türk as the keynote speaker. The Reformation movement in Slovenia brought the country Protestant reforms, following the example of Martin Luther in Germany. The most prominent Slovenian Reformist...

Today is Reformation Day, and I wanted to pass along a quote that I have found to embody a valuable perspective about the imperative to always be seeking reform of one’s own life and manners, without needing to tarry for broader social or political change. The quote appears in the newly-published translation of a work by the Dutch Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck, The Christian Family, which originally appeared in 1908. The point of departure is his exploration of the institution of the family and its social significance, but Bavinck’s words apply equally as well to efforts for improving other spheres...

I hope your church is celebrating the Reformation this Wednesday in some joyous, contentful way. If so, surely you'll be singing....

On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 Theses at the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. These theses were never debated following their posting, so they never gained much influence. Many have a basic understanding of Luther's theology and the 95 Theses. The theology and history of the Reformation is beneficial in order to understand that this was not a rebellion or de-formation of the church catholic, but a purifying of doctrine to conform it to scripture. In fact, tomorrow is known as Reformation Sunday, when attention is drawn to the great changes in the church that occurred after 1517....

Last weekend many protestent churches celebrated the Reformation of the Catholic Church. But I believe people of all faiths should stop and pause, because Martin Luther’s actions have a much larger, ripple affect – extending far beyond church doctrine. In Europe during the 16th Century, several key events inspired Martin Luther’s revolutionary action: Pope Leo X wanted to reconstruct Saint Peter’s Basilica – the crown jewel of the Vatican. But there was one small problem: The Church was broke.When the Pope approached Venetian bankers to finance his vision, they balked at the Church’s credit.The Papacy devised a plan to satisfy...

When I was growing up, there was one event we looked forward to every fall, right at the end of October. For us, it was an annual tradition, an evening of mischief and treats, a celebration to share with our friends. Of course, I’m talking about Oct. 31 — Reformation Day. I realize this might require some explanation for those of you who didn’t hang out with the cool crowd, so bear with me. For Protestant Christians, especially members of the Lutheran and Reformed churches, Oct. 31, or the closest Sunday to it, is celebrated as Reformation Day each year...

In honor of today being Reformation Sunday, this week's feature is "Martin Luther" (1953), an independent film produced by the Lutheran Church about the founder of the Reformation.

“A Lonely Monk, Now Long Ago” (Psalm 119:46)A Lonely Monk, Now Long Ago A lonely monk, now long ago, Nailed truth upon a door; The echoes of that hammer blow Rang out to many more. And when he spoke his “Here I stand,” Although he could be slain, Throughout the realm a growing band Soon followed in his train. Confessors, princes, duty bound, To Augsburg bold they came; Before the king they stood their ground And were not put to shame. Their good confession made that day Proved not to be in vain; Gird us their sons, Lord, that we...

When I was ein younger man I studied canon law; though Erfurt was a challenge it was just to please my pa. Then came the storm, the lightning struck; I called upon Saint Anne: I shaved my head, I took my vows – an Augustinian. Refrain: Papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation: speak your mind against them and face excommunication. Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a reformation, papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation. When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St Peter’s profits soared, so I wrote a little message for the All Saints’ bulletin board; ‘you cannot purchase merit for...

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther tacked up 95 theses on the church door at Wittenberg. With this act, he hoped to provoke a discussion among the scholars about the abuses of the indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church. He was not trying to create a public furor by any means, but within a fortnight, these theses had spread through the country like wildfire. The last thing Luther had in mind was to start some kind of major controversy, but nevertheless major controversy did begin. From the discussions at Wittenberg, the disputations began to accelerate and escalate. Copies of the...

It was 494 years today that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg. He wanted to debate the sale of indulgences with his fellow university professors. He wrote in Latin, but a nameless visionary translated the theses into German, carried them to the printing press, and enabled their dispersion far and wide. Luther ended up with more than he bargained for, but he proved to be no coward in defending the discoveries he was making in Scripture. When the Roman church wouldn’t serve him the treat of sufficiently addressing his concerns, he was consigned to...

“Fear God and Give Him the Glory!”: The Slogan of the Lutheran Church ReformationReformation Festival Sermon on Revelation 14:6-7 by C. F. W. Walther (1881) Translated by Joel Baseley. Abridged by Charles Henrickson.“Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth, all the earth is full of your glory.” This we cry out today, O Lord our God, along with the cherubim and seraphim. For today we remember the glorious work of the Reformation of the church, which you began and gloriously brought to completion in the sixteenth century. Your glory had been taken from the very midst of your church, the glory...

“Justification: It’s What Holds the Reformation Together” (Romans 3:19-28)Today is Reformation Day. It was on this day 493 years ago, on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, thus sparking the great Reformation of the Christian church. We are the heirs of that Reformation, blessed to be so, and so we join with Lutherans all around the globe today in celebrating that historic event and all the blessings of pure doctrine and sound practice that came from it. How do we celebrate the Reformation? By believing in and...

“Following in the Train of the Confessors” (Psalm 119:46)Confessors, princes, duty bound, To Augsburg bold they came. Before the king they stood their ground And were not put to shame. Their good confession made that day Proved not to be in vain. Gird Augsburg’s sons, Lord, that we may Still follow in their train!On June 25, 1530, in Augsburg, Germany, a small group of Lutheran princes appeared before the most powerful man in the world, Emperor Charles V, head of the Holy Roman Empire, and, at great risk to themselves and their territories, these men boldly confessed their faith. The...

Philosophers talk about possible worlds… a way the real world could have been. So let’s imagine, for a moment, that Luther had never been born. Or perhaps that he had never converted to the Augustinian order. Or that he had never had the courage to pound the 95 theses to the Church at Wittenberg. What would have become of the Reformation? We know that there were other elements in the Catholic Church that likely would have pressed for Reformation, so Luther wasn’t the only motivating force. But imagine with me… no Luther. How many would still be under the spell...