We had a milestone at my house this year... a grandchild spent the night... the whole night! This will be the beginning of a lot of fun for grandma and grandpa, that's for sure.
But I ran across this wonderful article from Mars Hill Church that I wanted to share.
http://theresurgence.com/luther-nails-bad-religion
The painting pictured above is of Martin Luther. That is one serious dude. I have to admit that in my whole life I have not been taught much about this important person and his role in church history. It just so happens that along with celebrating Halloween, All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day there is a more important event that occurred on October 31, back in 1517.
Reformation Day.
Sounds like a good title for a spaghetti western, two men in a face off with tumble weeds and wooden sidewalks and horses tied to hitching posts in the background. That twangy music plays and you wonder just who is going to bite the dust. Literally.
Well this day back in 1517 was a real face off.
"In 1516–17, Johann Tetzel, a Dominican friar and papal commissioner for indulgences, was sent to Germany by the Roman Catholic Church to sell indulgences to raise money to rebuild St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Roman Catholic theology stated that faith alone, whether fiduciary or dogmatic, cannot justify man; and that only such faith as is active in charity and good works (fides caritate formata) can justify man. The benefits of good works could be obtained by donating money to the church."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation_Day
"Sell indulgences" Just like those ancient Celts, trying to protect and buy an afterlife for the dearly departed.
Into history steps Martin Luther taking issue with the whole practice.
"Luther objected to a saying -As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory 'into heaven' springs-. He insisted that, since forgiveness was God's alone to grant, those who claimed that indulgences absolved buyers from all punishments and granted them salvation were in error. Christians, he said, must not slacken in following Christ on account of such false assurances."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation_Day
He presented his argument as was the custom at Wittenberg university to advertise a disputation by posting theses on the door of All Saints' Church, also known as Castle Church.
Martin Luther essentially said, "Free Grace". The document he nailed to that church door is called "the 95 thesis" http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/ninetyfive.html and it is an awesome read. Quite meaty. So meaty in fact it sparked the Protestant Movement.
........................................
Y So welcome November,
a month holding a day we mark to be thankful. Y
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
