Celebrating the 499th Anniversary of Reformation

Vebu Khamo

The 16th Century Reformation sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church which resulted in the establishment of Protestantism. Even before the German monk Martin Luther came on the scene, there were men who stood for the true gospel and had to suffer severe repercussion. John Wycliff, an English theologian and Oxford professor was condemned as a heretic in 1415. John Hus, a priest from Bohemia was burned at the stake in 1415 for his opposition to the Church of Rome; also an Italian friar named Girolamo Savonarola was hanged and burned in 1498. These are citations of a few faithful martyrs for the true faith. The climax of Reformation took place in the 16th century in the person of Martin Luther. At this time, the Church was at its lowest ebb. The selling of indulgences was openly practiced. The purportedly idea of souls in purgatory being freed in paying a huge amount of money was taught. It was said: “As soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out (of purgatory).” This ideology of buying one’s way into the kingdom of God was outrageously opposed by Martin Luther in his 95 Theses. Along with this, the monopoly of papacy, the teachings of faith plus works equal to salvation, equalizing the human-based traditions with Scriptures were some of the thorns in the flesh of Martin Luther. This sketch of the 16th century Reformation will be obvious and familiar to many readers. But the fact of the matter is: Martin Luther’s work of 95 Theses which was nailed on the door of Wittenberg Church in the year 1517 commemorated the initiation of the Protestant Reformation. In this 95 Theses, Luther boldly pulled down the curtains of superstitions, exposed the superficial façade of papacy orders and the lies of human traditions. He firmly engraved the sufficiency of the Scriptures for faith and salvation of every individual who trust in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). At this farce step of Luther, the Roman Catholic authority responded fiercely. Luther was put on trial before the Church and the court forced him to recant. Luther did not back down and made this famous proclamation: “I cannot choose but adhere to the Word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor will I even make any recantation, since it is neither safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience! Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God! Amen.” Now, the core value of Protestant reformation revolves around these “Five Solas”(Sola is a Latin word meaning “Alone”). The five quintessential doctrine of the Protestant doctrine are hanged on these Solas: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Gracia (Grace alone), Sola Fide (Faith alone), SolusChristus (In Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone). In the year 1521, Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther from the Catholic Church and declared him a heretic. Death warrant was issued against Luther. However, God’s mercy came to his rescue in the person of Prince Frederick of Saxony. In the castle of Frederick, Luther began his translation work of the Latin Bible into German language. At the end of ten years, the work was finally completed. The word “Protestant” was a popular term identifying the supporters of Luther who stood against the Church of its malpractices and corruptions. Martin Luther died in the year 1546 and his 95 Theses gave the bedrock foundation for what we know today as the Protestant Reformation. As we celebrate the 499th anniversary of Reformation, May we remember the past saints and reformers who gave their life and sacrifice for our faith and heritage. Happy Reformation Day!