Happy Reformation Sunday!

I suppose it happens only once every seven years when Reformation Day (October 31) actually lands on a Sunday. But this year it does.

Offended by the sale of indulgences for the forgiveness of sins, thinly veiled as a fundraiser for St. Peter's Cathedral, Martin Luther nailed on the Wittenberg Chapel Door the 95 Theses. Orginally written in Latin, Luther meant this posting for academic debate. However, his friends quickly translated it into German and scattered throughout Germany with the new invention called the printing press.

Do you know what points Luther made with these 95 Theses? Let me give you a couple.

--The Pope cannot forgive sins except with the pronouncement of God's forgiveness.

--the effect of indulgences are only for the living. They have no impact on those who have died.

--the teaching of purgatory must have occurred when the bishops slept

--erroneous teaching that the soul flies out of purgatory when the pennies jingle in the coffers

--Every true repentant Christian has the forgiveness of sins even without a letter of pardon.

--Christians should be taught that acts of mercy are far more beneficial and faithful than buying letters of pardon.

--The Pope should spend his own money for the forgiveness of people's sins out of divine mercy.

--To think a purchased papal pardon could forgive someone of even violating the Virgin Mary is madness

--Why doesn't the Pope simply empty purgatory out of holy love and not for profit?

--Why doesn't the Pope, one of the richest people, use his own money to build St. Peters instead of the money of the poor?

"Justification by faith apart from works of the law." That was the hallmark of the Reformation that we continue to celebrate and live today.

Join us on October 31 to continue the Reformation!

Pastor Scott