Reformation Day

- Reformation Day -

Today is Reformation Day (October 31st). The day in 1517 generally given for when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Castle church in Whittenberg. Martin Luther was born in Eisbleben, Germany in the year 1483. He attended university in Eufurt, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree. At the age of 25, he entered the order of the Augustinian's in Eufurt. In 1512 he received his Doctor of Theology. He completed his famous theses and hung them on the door of his church, on the eve of All Saint's Day 1517.

We know him for the beautiful, majestic hymn...
A Mighty Fortress

Luther at the Diet of Worms 1521

"Luther is now to be seen as a convicted heretic. He has twenty-one days [from the fifteenth of April]. After that time, no one should give him shelter. His followers also are to be condemned, and his books will be erased from human memory." - Edict of Worms

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by evident reason (ratio ne revidente) - for I confide neither in pope nor in council alone, since it is certain that they have often erred and contradicted themselves - I am held fast by the Scriptures adduced by me, and my conscience is taken captive by God's Word and I neither can nor will revoke anything. Seeing that it is not safe or right to act against conscience. God help me. Amen." - Martin Luther Diet of Worms

Martin Luther

"The friends of the cross affirm that the cross is good and that works are bad, for though the cross works are undone and the old Adam whose strength is in works is crucified." - Martin Luther

"Many have taken the Christian faith to be a simple and easy matter, and have even numbered it among the virtues. This is because they have not really experienced it, nor have they tested the great strength of faith." - Martin Luther