Today is Reformation Day, but who are we kidding? Today is Halloween! There’s a division in the house among Christians as to the origins of Halloween. Some contend it has Christian roots since Halloween means “holy eve,” the evening before All Saints Day on Nov. 1. Others trace its beginning to a pagan Celtic festival from the Middle Ages.
On this date in 1517, Martin Luther posted on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany the “Deputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences.” We call them Luther’s ninety-five theses of debate on the sale of indulgences, a practice by which believers could purchase forgiveness from the church. Johann Tetzel was commissioned by Pope Leo to raise money for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Tetzel was most remembered for his quote, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” While Martin believed forgiveness was an appropriate priestly function to extend to repentant people, the practice of purchasing forgiveness was abhorrent to him. Consider Martin’s thesis number eighty-six, “Why does not the pope whose wealth is today greater than the wealth of the richest Crassus (ruler), build the basilica of St. Peter with his own money rather than the money of poor believers?”
Martin’s choice to post the articles of debate on October 31 had nothing to do with Halloween. He knew November 1 was All Saints Day, so people would read his post as they assembled for worship. These ninety-five articles created a firestorm. With the benefit of the printing press, the articles quickly circulated throughout Europe and set the Reformation in motion.
The following prayer has been called “Luther’s Gethsemane.” It was prayed on the eve of his church trial at the Diet of Worms: