500th Anniversary of the Reformation

Five hundred years ago on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther swung a hammer nailing his 95 theses to the door of the Chapel in Wittenberg, Germany. ( You can read all 95 by clicking here ). As important as that one moment was, it really was the culmination of many different streams that enabled and empowered Luther. Politically, the prince of his providence in Germany was willing to flex his muscle against the power of the pope. Technologically, the printing press was able to spread Luther's ideas to a bigger, broader audience than the simple swing of his hammer did. Theologically, people were hungry for new ways of experiencing the sacred. Luther built his theology on Sola Scriptura (scripture alone) and Sola Fide (that we are justified by faith alone). He translated the Bible into German and led worship in the common language. Luther wanted every person to claim the priesthood or ministry of all people. Luther wanted every home to not only study the Bible, but his for ca