Halloween? Not in this blog, but stay tuned tomorrow for a remembrance of All Saints Day.

No, long-time friend and faithful blog reader Laura McGlothlin reminded me that today is Reformation Day, the anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. Martin Luther’s objective was to prompt discussion on reforming the Catholic Church.

One of Laura’s missionary colleagues, Mark Giebink of Teach Beyond, wrote this acrostic to teach key elements of the Reformation. Thanks, Laura and Mark!

–Mark’s acrostic–

R eform – it was Luther’s desire to purify or reform the Roman Catholic Church, not to split it. 

E very believer a priest – this was one of the main teachings of the Reformation – that all had access to God through Christ alone.

F aith alone – ‘Sola Fide’ Inspired by passages like Romans 3:28, Luther claimed that salvation was only by faith- not works, sacrament, etc.

O ctober 31, 1517 – formal start of the Reformation (1517 – 1648)

R omans 1:18 – “a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. . . the just shall live by faith.”  One of the passages that deeply impacted Luther

M artin Luther – (1483-1546) – a German priest, professor, hymn writer (promoter of congregational singing), married to Katharina Von Bora (6 children)

A uthority of God’s Word- another key tenet of the Reformation

    “I cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it is clear as day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. 

     “Unless, therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture. . . I cannot and will not retract. . . Here I stand, I can do no other. So, help me God, Amen.”

T ranslating Bible into common languages – Martin Luther translated the Bible into German to give access to all people; coincided with Gutenberg Press invention.

     Also translations were done in Dutch [1526], French [1528], Spanish [1569], Czech [1579 – 1593]

I ndulgences – one of the main things Luther taught against (addressed in the 95 Theses) – that you could somehow buy your way into heaven.

      “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” Luther was vehemently opposed to this practice.

O ther reformers – Calvin, Zwingli (Reformed), Menno Simmons (Anabaptist/later Mennonites),  Knox (Presbyterian), Wycliffe, Hus (Anglican), etc.

N inety-five Theses – debated and criticized the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church, but concentrated on the selling of indulgences and other church doctrine and practice

–end of Mark’s acrostic–

Again, thanks to Mark Giebink for this acrostic and my friend Laura for passing it on.

We would do well to remember that we are all always needing to be re-formed. Personally and corporately. We should all always be looking for our next area of growth. Praise God for the past, yes, but not stuck there.

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21.5, ESV)

P.S. There is an error in yesterday’s blog about the Denver Broncos. Vance Joseph is the Defensive Coordinator.