500 years ago on October 31, 1517

   In one week from today, 500 years ago on October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on a church door in Wittenberg.  Issues involved were critical, and the result was epic.  Here I simply state the denomination which dominated in the West had distorted Biblical soteriology teaching to the tragic point of insisting that salvation involves buying forgiveness.  Yet Martin Luther courageously took the stand that the Biblical truth is salvation is a loving gift from God, as Jesus was the sacrifice for the sins of people.
   One Saturday this early fall, I went to the library at my Alma mater Colorado Christian University where there are over fifty volumes of Luther’s writings.  Having only read excerpts from him, I wanted to see what was in the depths of those volumes.  I was surprised how brash and degrading he could be.  It was not what I was expecting.  Yet in what little I read, he was making key Biblical points, convictions which went against the church authority.
   Regarding gaining a good historical overview of Luther’s ministry, I recommend chapter seven of the book Turning Points by Mark Noll.(1)  This was one of three textbooks assigned for my History of Christianity class with the superb Dr. Megan DeVore at CCU.  Though I have some disagreements with Dr. Noll in the first chapter, his chapter on Luther gives a wonderful overview, and he is gracious in his treatment.
   I remain in utter disagreement with numerous Roman Catholic doctrines even in this age in the wake of their Second Vatican Council.  Granted I am also in disagreement with certain doctrines of certain Protestant groups, such as certain doctrines of “TULIP Calvinist” theology.  Yet just this year my friend Dave, who is Roman Catholic, has blessed me more than I can describe, being a caring friend and supporting my ministry calling.  I am thankful for the love today between Christians who have major theological differences.  We are to care about everybody, while not compromising our convictions.  May we Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to continue to courageously stand firm in our Biblical convictions!  And may we Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to tell the truths of Jesus Christ to everyone in love!
Hunter

(1) Mark Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1997), 151-174.