Reformation Day: Trick or Treat?

October 31st is not Halloween but Reformation Day.

This is the day that we celebrate the time in 1517 when a German Augustinian monk, professor and theologian teaching at the University of Wittenberg and preaching at "All Saints" Castle Church (this church was named "All Saints" because it was the repository of his collection of holy relics) decided to question the leaders of the Western Church's understanding of Scripture.

Yes, on "All Saints" Day, a German theologian who fancied the bottle a bit, decided to knock on the door of "All Saints" Church and say, "Trick or treat?"

The Treat was a better understanding of the gospel. The Trick was complete indifference for whether or not the church leadership agreed or disagreed.

For this "All Saints" prank (and "papering" the church door) Luther was labled a "drunk little monk", a "the Saxon Hus" and an arch heretic ... but at least he wasn't labeled a liberal.

So let us honor this occasion in a suitable way, in no particular order:

1) Watch the film, Luther.

2) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

3) Remember all who have come before: Luther, Kierkegaard, Kung, Paul, Jeremiah, Elijah, Moody, Marshall, XXXXX, XXXXX, Stagg, Whitsitt, and Elliott among others.

4) Pray to God.

5) Reflect on all the issues that separate you from other believers.

6) Reflect on all the issues that unite you with other believers.

7) Continue to remind yourself that whether you are in the minority or in the majority, your understanding of Scripture could be wrong.