Reformation Day

On this day (31 October) 500 years ago, a German monk and professor nailed a document on a church door in Wittenburg, Germany to protest against the sale of indulgences. The man is Martin Luther and the document is known as the 95 Theses. This event would mark the beginning of the Holy Protestant Reformation and a century of struggle against the Roman Catholic Church.

By 1517, the Roman Catholic Church under the leadership of the Pope, had departed from true biblical Christian teachings. Clergymen who had never read the Bible taught unbiblical teachings and practices to the people. The Pope even forbid the translation of the Bible from Latin into languages understood by the people. Church positions including the papacy, could be bought with money. Even the removal of punishments resulted from sins, known as indulgences, could be bought with money.

In addition to religious authority, the Pope was a king ruling over significant area of land in Italy and France. As most European monarchs were Roman Catholics, the Pope was able to exercise his political influence in countries outside his political control. Therefore, the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church were extremely powerful. Challenging and opposing the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church might result in martyrdom.

However, Martin Luther not only survived, he and the Protestants prevailed against the Roman Catholics and even change Roman Catholic teachings. Indulgences can never be sold again and the Pope can never persecute Christians again.

The Holy Protestant Reformation restored true biblical Christian teachings to Christians and liberated Christians from the illegal authority of the Pope. Let us remember the martyrs and those who fought against the Pope, their sacrifices gave us our freedom to be true Christians today.