All Hallow's Eve and the Commemoration of the Reformation

On 31. October 1517, Martin Luther posted his Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences on the Schloßkirche (Castle Church) door in Wittenberg, Germany. His 95 Theses were an invitation to debate the issue of indulgences in the Medieval Church. Such debates on theological topics were commonplace in Luther’s day, but his treatise caused a firestorm to erupt that eventually culminated in the drafting of the Augsburg Confession in 1530 and the formalizing of Lutheran theology in the Church. We can summarize Luther’s treatise with 4 central points from his 95 Theses: 

1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said poenitentiam agite [Repent], willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance. [Matthew 4,17] 

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

37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters.

62. The true treasure of the Church is the most holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God. 

A year later at Heidelberg in April 1518, Luther drew up 28 Theses for a theological disputation. The 26. Thesis reads: »The law says: „Do this!“, and it never is done. Grace says: „Believe in this one [Jesus]!“, and forthwith everything is done.«

This Reformation theology reaches its pinnacle in the Augsburg Confession of 1530 where Article 4 shines forth like Polaris in the night sky: Also our churches teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has 3] made satisfaction for our sins. This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Romans 3 and 4. 

Happy Reformation Day and a blessed All Hallow's Eve, for by Christ we have been justified, forgiven and made saints through His crucifixion and resurrection.