Reformation Day

I asked my students here at Handong a question yesterday. What is significant about the date October 31? The Korean Fall Thanksgiving had been celebrated weeks ago. Another festival was soon to come next week, but October 31, what's special about that day? Many of the students had a puzzled look on their faces.

I then added to the month and day the year 1517. Now, a few faces brighten! One student spoke softly, "Martin Luther." (That's often the way an answer initially comes, first tentatively and then, after a word of encouragement, with more confidence).

"That's right! What did Luther do on October 31, 1517?"

"He nailed that paper to the church door."

"Correct! And, why did he nail that paper on which he had written those 95 statements, the 95 Theses, to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany? Why would you post a list of thesis statements -- you know what a thesis statement is -- its a statement of your main point -- Why would Luther post a list of 95 statements of truth that he was declaring were very important? Was it so that everyone would read them and take them to be true on their face?"

At this point in the class, some of my more perceptive students were beginning to catch on. They realized that I was giving them an historical example of the foundational practice upon which our classroom lessons and discussion are based. And, while they were not previously aware of the process of calling for a disputation that was the common practice in Luther's day, they surmised that his posting of the 95 Theses was an invitation for others to examine Luther's ideas and to engage in a debate.

By posting his 95 Theses, Luther was calling into question the authority of the church to use the practice of purchasing indulgences as a means for obtaining forgiveness of sins as well as challenging many other teachings and practices on the grounds that they were contrary to Holy Scripture. Luther was doing what my students hear as an admonition at the conclusion of each of our class sessions. He was: Questioning everything and seeking to hold on to the good!

To read Luther's 95 Theses go here