Five hundred years ago today, Martin Luther “posted” his 95-theses in a letter to the Catholic Church. Legend has it he nailed them on a Church door near his university in Germany and that began what has been called the protestant reformation, or the protestant revolution or protestantism. Whatever you want to call it, don’t miss the reality that happened that day.
His complaints largely concerned the collection of indulgences which was an abomination in his mind. Indulgences had taken the place of confession for many of the Pope’s faithful and Luther spoke and wrote about the “indulgence trade.”
But, much like today, he was a culture warrior. The theses he authored and spoke on and wrote about that day, were deeply rooted in truth. He declared who could define truth for the culture. Hint: It wasn’t the Church leaders. Only the Bible and its gospel message could bring light to pierce the world’s darkness. He spoke truth to power and did not back down. That, dear reader, is what really happened that day.
Luther would later be excommunicated from the Catholic Church, but would survive to lead reformers in the Church until his death in 1546. Many debate to this day the magnitude and significance of his impact on Christendom.
Those who oppose us today, as well as many on our own side of the cultural divide, have truth neatly shelved away and tucked away from view in a box they can handle. Luther opened those boxes for all of us, and whether it took 5 hours or 500 years, we all now have to grapple with the truth that ultimately reaches its zenith in this question: “What are we to do about this Jesus, who is called the Christ?”
Among my preferences of his 95 Theses, are these:
Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters. (#36)
Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters. (#37)
The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God. (#62)
He was a university theology professor, so people noticed. These days, we run a blog post on a website and very few will read it. Either way, in our endeavors, writings, speeches, and the things we nail on a door somewhere, may we hold truth preeminent to indulgences, and politics, and religion, and the world—and, if necessary, to our own freedom.
And may we follow Luther’s lead and never fail to shout truth to power, just like 500 years ago today.