Yesterday was Reformation Day. This was the day that Martin Luther nailed 95 Theses on the door at Wittenberg protesting the sale of indulgences by the Papacy. Much has been written on this and subsequent events and other than conjecture and opinion, I have nothing new to offer on the subject. So I will choose to deal with the subject in a different post-modern way. There is no question that the Reformation and the Counter-reformation did occur. We cannot revise history nor would we want to. The real story is fun, frightening, dramatic, curious, and prodigious.
The question is not about the events but rather how we handle this today. Do we honor and celebrate this day thereby risking alienating our Roman friends? Or do we ignore this day and replace it with the quasi-socially acceptable Halloween? Should we even acknowledge Reformation Day and does it really have any meaning at all? I posture that the day does have meaning and that we should at least accept its vital role in church history. It matters not as to whether we agree with the events or with the thought behind the events. In fact, I often argue about the efficacy of Reformation Day and have more than once regretted the results of that day.
Yet I do enjoy acknowledging the actual date October 31 as Reformation Day. It always results in stimulating conversation and inevitably some healthy controversy as to the differences in denominations not mention the historical abuse of the Papacy at that time. But in the end, I do not enjoy the polarization and judgment that seems to ultimately be delivered by a few self-righteous Protestants. I think the goal of Reformation Day is not to celebrate the division but rather to love each other in spite of our differences. It is no longer necessary to cause pain or to attack viciously a person who thinks differently from ourselves. Knowing history is to learn from it. Learning from history is to avoid the same mistakes. The way to avoid mistakes is to embrace love and acceptance.
Let's continue to recognize Reformation Day and All Saints Day (November 1) and let's offer forgiveness and love in a unified effort for acceptance.
1 comment:
WHEW!! Now I know it was Martin Luther and not Martin Luther King as one of my students told the rest of the class on Tuesday. Actually, I knew the difference but I was curious if any student would correct her. Only a couple of other students seemed to know the mistake that was made. Looks like more work needs to be done in acquainting students with historical facts.
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