While the world around us dresses up and has some fun for Halloween, Christians should not forget to remember that October 31 also commemorates Reformation Day, the day which led to the light of the gospel shining clearly throughout the world after so much darkness had obscured the message. On the Roman Catholic church calendar, October 31 is a ‘holy-day’ known as ‘All Hallow’s Eve’ (now shortened to ‘Halloween’). In 1517, Martin Luther chose this holiday as an occasion to challenge both the claims and authority of the Roman Catholic church. In his speech at the Diet of Worms in 1521 defending his actions, he showed that a basic Christian truth governed his actions:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often aired and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, amen.”
The same day which led to a recovery of the glorious truths of Christianity coincided with a recovery of the historic Christian conviction about God’s Word: God’s Word alone is the source for determining what we believe as Christians. This Sunday we are going examine the firm foundation of Christianity, and why it is the Word of God alone!
