Each year in the month of October Protestants all over the world celebrate Reformation Day. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenburg. October 31, 1517 is traditionally considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. We will be celebrating the Reformation on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 at worship, please wear RED!
In the Ninety-Five Theses Luther criticized the Roman Catholic practice of selling “indulgences” for the remission of sins. Luther did not believe that there was a biblical precedent for this practice. Essentially, a Christian would pay a priest for the forgiveness of sins. Or, the indulgence would reduce the time spent in purgatory. Initially, Luther posted the Ninety-Five Theses as a way to foster public debate about the practice of selling indulgences. Luther could not have known that his little tract against the sale of indulgences would produce all of the commotion that it later did. The first of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses says, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ [Matt. 4:17], he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” For Luther, a person’s entire life should be one of repentance, not solely when a person bought an indulgence. Luther also argued that the remission of sins in any other way than through Christ produced a false peace in the heart of the believer. For example, when a Christian sinned they would have to pay for the remission of sins by purchasing an indulgence. But, what if a Christian was poor and had no money? Would he or she then decide against feeding their family so that they can buy an indulgence in order to cover the sins that he or she had committed since the last time they bought an indulgence? The practice of selling indulgences produced fear in the heart of the believer because forgiveness was never truly granted, peace was never attained. The rich could buy away all of their sins, but the poor struggled to meet the Roman Catholic Church’s imposed penitential obligations. Luther responded in the Ninety-Five Theses, “Christians are to be taught that, unless they have more than they need, they must reserve enough for their family needs and by no means squander it on indulgences.” The thrust of Luther’s argument questioned the papal ability to impose extra-biblical standards for repentance and forgiveness. Today, the practice of granting indulgences is alive and well in the Roman Catholic Church (A plenary indulgence was offered for following Pope Francis’ Twitter account in July, 2013).
The Reformation is part of our past, and as part of the history of the Lutheran church, we have inherited many treasures from our tradition. For example, Luther instituted the “Community Chest” which was a repository for offerings for the needy in the community of the church. On September 7, Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway reached out to our neighbors for a “Community Clean-up” to show our community that we care about their well being. Luther and the Reformers were strong proponents of Adult and Youth education. Luther published the Small and Large Catechisms for the purpose of educating clergy and lay adults and children. On September 8 we kicked off the year with Rally Day where members of Zion teach Zion’s Sunday School youth during the 9:15am service. And, Bible Study started on Tuesdays at 7:30pm and Wednesdays at 10:00am as well as Confirmation on Wednesdays at 7:30pm. In the sixteenth century the Reformers utilized Gutenberg’s “movable type,” a new technology, to publish the Ninety-Five Theses, the Bible in German, and the Book of Concord in 1580. Today, we are using a “new” technology, the internet, to publish what is going on here at Zion. Zion Lutheran Church has a new website found at: www.zionlutherannj.net. Check it out!
As heirs of the Reformation, Zion is continually looking back to its past while simultaneously looking forward to its future. Always centered in the grace that is found in Christ. Always mindful of the community that we inhabit and are a part of. Always proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace,
Pastor
