Reflections on this Reformation Day.

October 31, 1517 was the day Martin Luther nailed ninety-five theses on the door of the church at Wittenberg. It is hard to believe that about five centuries have elapsed since, but what resulted was the birthing of the Protestant Reformation. Things had certainly gone awry in the earthly church and a corrective needed be set in place.

What Luther did was a common practice at the time for inviting others into theological debate. The issue concerned the abuse of the indulgences, particularly with the preaching of John Tetzel, who would implore peasant Christians to give form their poverty towards the building of Saint Peter’s Basilica otherwise their deceased loved ones would remain in the sufferings of a fiery Purgatory for venial sins committed. Tetzel’s jingle “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings the soul from purgatory springs.” Luther’s intent was to demonstrate this message undermined the sufficiency of the Gospel.

Reading over the ninety-five theses again as a thing apropos for the season, I thought to offer a short list of quotes that caught my attention:

(6) The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting to God’s remission…

(36) Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon…

(43) Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons…

(52) The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it….

(62) The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God…

(75) To think the papal pardons so great that they could absolve a man even if he had committed an impossible sin and violated the Mother of God—this is madness...

(76) We say, on the contrary, that the papal pardons are not able to remove the very least of venial sins, so far as its guilt is concerned....

Scripture plainly teaches, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2-8, NASB). Salvation is neither earned nor deserved. It is a gift of God received by faith in Christ. The theological story of there being venial sins committed by Christians saints which need to be dealt with through meritorious works along with a period of cleansing in Purgatory prior to entering into eternal glory undermines the sufficiency of the Gospel.

If there are preachers like Tetzel around today, there may very well be a few just like that, what good news does that ever bring to the disenfranchised in the world? With what can they give to get their loved ones out of poverty? Imagine saying to someone, “If you sow a seed of faith (i.e. give money to the church), that is the key to opening the storehouses of heaven for untold blessings, like good health and increased prosperity.” Giving a seed of faith in $$$ will then get you $$$. How much different is that than Tetzel?

The Gospel frees us from the chain of sin. It can also be a source of comfort for many to know that they never obligated to give out of their poverty to get the eternal life that God offers through the Christ. Our sins have been taken care of and freedom comes on account of the Savior.

— WGN