Today marks the 506^th anniversary of the event that has historically been regarded as the spark that ignited the 16^th century reformation of the Christian church: Martin Luther’s nailing of his list of 95 “theses” (debate propositions) to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Certainly, there were others long before this Roman Catholic monk who had likewise sought to restore the church to the teachings and practices of the New Testament.

For example, more than a hundred years before Luther began to take his public stand, Jan Hus was burned alive by the pope for spreading many of the same truths throughout Bohemia (Czech Republic). Half a century before that, John Wycliffe risked his life to spread these same Biblical teachings throughout England. And long before that, in 1173, the wealthy merchant Peter Waldo gave all he had to the poor and began spreading the gospel throughout the Cottian Alps (France and Italy), only to be excommunicated by the pope and forced out of his hometown.

Even so, it wasn’t until the 16^th century that the life-giving truths recovered from the Scriptures began to spread like wildfire, radically reshaping the entire Western world. As such, it is appropriate to mark October 31, 1517 as the start of that blaze, for it was the translation and widespread publication of Luther’s writings, made possible by the advent of the printing press, that fueled this global restorationist movement.

On this date each year, we not only give thanks for the truths of the gospel that were recovered, but also for the sacrifices of those who suffered greatly, often to the point of death, in order to stand up and speak out for the sake of the eternal salvation of others. May we continue to hold that light up for all the world to see, no matter the cost.

After Darkness, Light

"Post tenebras lux"

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan

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