Monday, October 31, 2011

Messy Mondays - Reformation Day

Last year I posted about the history of Reformation Day and thought I would share that with you today.


What's that?  You don't know what Reformation Day is?  That's what I got from my own Pastor last Sunday.  In fact, she said that the only people of reformed background would probably know what that was.  I bet millions of Lutherans are jumping up and down in protest right now. (:P)  This is a day that is important to non- believers and believers alike as it changed the course of Western Civilization with a stroke of the hammer.

On October 31, 1517, Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of All Saints church in Wittenberg.  This Theses was his argument against the sale of the selling of indulgences.   This was quickly translated from Latin into German and printed for distribution.  In two weeks, it was distributed throughout Germany.  Within two months, throughout, Europe.  It was the beginning of the "Protest"ant Reformation.  Luther probably only wanted to "fix" what he saw was wrong within the Catholic Church, not thinking about what he started.  

Without Luther, there would be no Baptists, Methodists, Anglicans, Calvinists or Lutherans.  No King James Bible, as prior to Luther it was considered heresy to have a bible in one's own language.   Most importantly, there would be no teaching about the justification through faith or in other words, no teaching that we can never earn God's love or forgiveness, it is just freely given to ALL of us. 

If you're bored tonight (what with giving out candy), I would recommend watching Luther.  It is a great movie (does have many historical inaccuracies, but what historical movie doesn't), about the first years of Luther's ministry. 

So again I say to you - HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!
I hope you all have a great Halloween and Reformation Day.  I'm still left to wondering if Luther's actions started the first trick or treators and if the church considered his theses a trick or a treat. :)

3 comments:

Juanita Rose said...

Wow...almost forgot! We own the movie Luther. Have really dug into the Reformation history as a family. Have Heroes of the Reformation on our 'to read' list this month!
We always need the reminder that we CANNOT earn His love, mercy or favor. Resting in that knowledge today!

Pat M said...

Thank you for this bit of history! I am a new follower . I hope you’ll follow my blog, too. Growing Old With Grace http://growing-old-with-grace.blogspot.com/

Aritha V. said...

Hi,

Here we sing on the Sunday before or after the Reformation - day always Luthers song 'Een vast burcht' in the church. The children heard in the week before many stories at school about Luther. I think they know more about Luther than about Johannes Calvin :)

Thanks for your comment: Yes oliebollen! I like it. And boterkoek.

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Alberta, Canada
I'm a 39 year old (oh yeah I'm telling you my age) Stay at Home mom. A former Bad Girl now reformed sinner, I'm married to my Y2K guy and raising 3 great children from God. Proudly Canadian, however, missing the West Coast, I currently live in the prairies watching the farmers fields produce as I learn how God produces the fruits in me.
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