Today is Reformation Day, when the academic cleric Martin Luther put up challenging questions to debate on the Wittenburg university campus. He was still working out his beliefs, but had significant concerns about “indulgences.” At that time (1517) the archbishop in northern Germany and Pope Leo X had authorized selling them in part to pay for the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Presumably the indulgences were to reduce the amount of eternal punishment for sin accrued by believers and their loved ones.

It had been a political agreement to cover up a bribe to the Pope for the archbishop’s appointment. But Luther responded theologically. He said it is Christ’s role, not ours, to fully clear away human sin. He also said the Pope had no power over what happens to someone in eternal life.

Luther’s questions sparked a series of debates, which caused Luther to rethink his understanding of confession and forgiveness. “As a result of these debates,” says one author**, “Luther eventually came to recognize the free grace of God in the unconditional promise of the Gospel.”

Yours in faith,

Betsy Schwarzentraub

** — This quote is from “The Ninety-Five Theses,” by Dr. Jack Kilcrease, written for the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation on Oct. 31, 2016. https://lutheranreformation.org/history/ninety-five-theses/