Almost every Christian is aware of the fact that there once occurred in the history of the Christian Church an event which has since become known as the Protestant Reformation. It was that event which delivered men and women in many places from the clutches and domination of the apostate Church of Rome, which had sunk to the depths of idolatry and superstition.

Like most great movements in the history of the Church, or the world in general, it would be difficult to set an exact date and say when the Reformation actually began. But, if we were to have an annual memorial to the event, it would most likely fall on the 31st of this month of October. It was on that date in the year 1517 - 450 years ago this year (Note - article reproduced from Wicket Gate of 1967) that the young monk, Martin Luther, boldly stepped up to the door of the Castle Church in the town of Wittenberg in Germany and nailed to that door "Ninety-five Theses of Religion". These denounced the sale of "The Pope's Indulgence", a paper which gave direct forgiveness from the Pope for those who had sinned, or ever would sin. Through the purchase of these Indulgences, the faithful were told that they could free the souls of the loved ones now in the pains of "Purgatory", and assure forgiveness for them and themselves.

As we've said, it would be difficult to stamp an exact date on the Protestant Reformation. We look away back to the Waldenses and there we see the smoulderings of the Reformation fire; we think of our own John Wycliff - the "Morning Star of the Reformation"; and of John Huss, who so willingly went to the stake rather than submit to the dictates of Rome's corrupt doctrine and practices. For over 300 years the Reformation was in the smelting pot. But, as young Martin Luther's hammer swung into the nail that fastened his protest to that Castle Church in that little town in Germany, the blow was to echo throughout Europe and break the chains of popery that held so many in bondage.

How true it was what John Huss had cried out to his persecutors as the flames had begun to burn into his flesh; "Today, you are cooking an old goose", he had told them, "but tomorrow, a swan will rise from the ashes". And here, standing so nobly on the steps of the Castle Church was the one of whom Huss had so accurately spoken.

But, what kind of a man was Martin Luther? In these days when so many would discredit the whole work of the Reformation and brand it as "a mistake", they would also label the Reformers as "misguided fanatics". But what a travesty of the true situation this is. If Martin Luther was wrong, then his mistake grew out of nothing less than a desire to know God and the forgiveness of his sins before the Almighty.

Luther was born into a strict German Roman Catholic family, where the main ingredients of his religious instruction were the dread of God's judgment and the power of the Pope of Rome. Luther was a brilliant student, and by the time he was 22, had graduated as Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy from the most famous University - Erfurt - of his day. In spite of all, however, young Martin Luther was still concerned about his soul; he could only see God as the indignant judge ready to hurl down thunderbolts upon his head, and one night, when Luther was caught out in a thunderstorm, he felt sure that the time of recompense had come. He prayed to St. Anne - his patron saint - and promised that if he ever got out of this situation alive, he would surely devote himself to a monastic life. He was spared, of course, and to the disgust of his parents entered the Order of St. Augustine.

As Luther had been the diligent student, so he became the zealous monk. With fastings and beatings of his own body, and privations of many kinds, Luther hoped to win pardon for his sins and peace with God. But, as he looked at those around him and his own inner condition, his frustration grew until, God in His sovereign mercy, turned him to His own precious truth.

As Luther read the Bible, the light of God's free salvation through the gift of faith began to dawn on him. "Therefore, being justified by faith", he read, "we have peace with God throughout our Lord Jesus Christ". His heart rejoiced at the knowledge God had given him, and he began to "teach others also" as young Timothy had been exhorted to do. The movement grew, until that night of which we have spoken when Martin Luther's hammer struck a death blow at the heart of the Church of Rome.

From that night, his blood was sought; but God was with him. And as he stood arraigned before the might of the power of medieval Rome, his famous vow sealed all that he had done and would do for the cause of God's Truth … "Here I stand; I can do no other".

---

This Page Title – The Protestant Reformation - This Month Long Ago The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 44 – placed on line October 2003 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk Labelled with ICRA