What is Reformation Day?

Answer

Reformation Day is a Protestant religious holiday celebrated on October 31. It commemorates the day the German monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church in 1517. This event marks the official beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

Formally, Reformation Day has been observed since 1567. The specific dates for the holiday varied until after the two-hundredth anniversary celebration in 1717, when October 31 was established as the official date of observance in Germany and later adopted internationally.

In the Lutheran tradition, Reformation Day is considered a minor holiday and is officially known as “The Festival of the Reformation.” Most Lutheran churches (and other celebrants of this day) observe it on the Sunday before October 31.

The influence of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation on global Christianity has been profound. Luther emphasized the importance of the Bible as the ultimate authority for the Christian faith, rejecting extra-biblical traditions and works-based practices of Roman Catholicism. He advocated for salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Luther translated the Bible into German, published numerous books and sermons on biblical teachings, and composed many hymns based on biblical themes to make Scriptures accessible to the common people. Several of his hymns are still sung today.

When Luther was summoned to trial by the church and pressured to recant, he famously responded: “I cannot choose but adhere to the Word of God, which has possession of my conscience; nor can I possibly, nor will I even make any recantation, since it is neither safe nor honest to act contrary to conscience! Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise.”

To do otherwise, so help me God! Amen.”

From Germany, the Protestant Reformation spread throughout Europe, influencing the work of John Calvin in Geneva, Ulrich Zwingli in Zurich, and John Knox in Scotland. The Reformation led by Luther also ignited the Anabaptist (free church) movement and the English Reformation. These movements, in turn, impacted the expansion of Christianity to the Americas and worldwide during European exploration. South Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand all experienced the reverberations of Luther’s actions in Wittenberg.

Robert Rothwell has observed, “Today, Luther’s legacy endures in the creeds and confessions of Protestant bodies globally. As we reflect on his significance this Reformation Day, let us prepare ourselves to be informed proclaimers and defenders of biblical truth. May we be enthusiastic about preaching the Gospel of God to the world and thus igniting a new reformation of church and culture.”

Reformation Day remains a significant focal point for all who opt to follow Christ through faith in accordance with His Word. The occasion commemorates the deeds of a man who was ready to oppose the prevailing ideas of his time and to present God’s Word as our guide for salvation “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”, (John 3:16) and Christian living.