One October day, in the early 1500s, a man named Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the All Saints’ Church, located within the Holy Roman Empire. The Theses were written as a response to what he saw as corruption of the Catholic clergy, who were also selling plenary indulgences (or earthly remissions of punishment for sins).
Luther argued that these indulgences led Christians to avoid true repentance for sins, and that true forgiveness of sin involves inner spiritual repentance rather than just external confession. He also said that indulgences discouraged acts of mercy, such as giving to the poor, and that some saw indulgences as being more spiritually valuable. These arguments and more were featured in his Ninety-five Theses.
The publication of his Theses was one of the events that led to the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, which is usually considered to have started on October 31, the same day as Halloween! Whether or not that day was chosen by Luther on purpose is up for debate. Also, while it is confirmed that the Protestant Reformation started on the 31st of October, it is unconfirmed whether the nailing of the Ninety-five Theses onto the church door happened on the same day or not.
Today, Reformation Day is celebrated by Protestant Christians, mainly within Lutheran and Reformed churches, in remembrance of the beginning of the Reformation. If you’re celebrating Reformation Day this year, then snack on a diet of worms (gummy worms, of course!) and remember the reformation that became a turning point in world history.
Comments