Happy Reformation Day everyone!! I can't believe it has been 490 years already. The Doctrines of Grace and the Solas have certainly come a long way since then. I feel so endebted to the men of the reformation for what I even know and am passionate about today.For most of you out there, today is Halloween. But for believers, today holds a special historical meaning. Here's a little history of the day in case you are in the dark.
November 1st is "All Saints Day" on the Roman Catholic calendar. It was (and is still) one of the most sacred Holy-Days (Holidays) of the church. They believed that the day before All Saints Day, All-Hallows Eve (Halloween), was a day of incredible mischief by demons who would try and attack those who were about to celebrate All Saints Day. The people would therefore wear costumes to avoid being recognized by these evil spirits. This would ensure their safety as they prepared to go to church the next day.
On All-Hallows Eve, October 31st, 1517, a professor from the college in Wittenburg by the name of Martin Luther, nailed 95 thesis ( http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/history/95theses.htm ), or thoughts, to the front door of the church. This location would assure that everyone in town would see them as most people would be at church early the next morning. These thesis spoke to many issues the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) had erred on. Things like indulgences, Papal authority, and works based salvation. These 95 thesis started a whirlwind of controversy and were eventually called heresy by the RCC.
Despite this condemnation, the word spread like crazy and the Protestant Reformation was born. Inspired by his stand against the established church, men like Calvin, Knox, and Huss preached the essential doctrines of the Solas (Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and the Glory of God Alone) and called for reform in the church. We have them to thank for the Biblically centered faith the Protestant faith enjoys today. The reformed tradition still holds the Solas as the central truths of scripture.
That is why I celebrate Reformation Day every October 31st. Thank God for men who stand on God's Word as their sole authority and point the rest of us to Christ, by grace, through faith, to the glory of God alone.
