Happy Reformation Day

On Nov. 1st, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church, thereby inadvertently beginning the Reformation. The theses were taken down from the door and printed--soon rumors or echoes of rumors could be heard of this German professor monk and his theses. The publicity was not necessarily desired, but he consistently stood by what he believed to be true, even if it meant his excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire.

During college I have learned much about Luther and now consider him a sort of kindred spirit. The theological and philosophical questions that tormented his waking hours and haunted his sleep are akin to mine.

What may be the most comforting and empathic facet of Luther is that he was the first to give religious doubt a "modern" voice and tone. His writings and journal entries reflect a struggle that had gone on from the founding of the Church and even preceded it (there have always been skeptics and doubters), but he seems to have been the first to express it so well.

Luther's refusal to submit to a heirarchical authority can be an inspiration to all sorts of rebels and dissenters. His audacity to interpret the Scriptures by himself and come to different conclusions than those of the Church helped paved the way for others in academia and religion who would do the same in their own fashion. There are other things that could be said to praise Luther, and things could be said to cut him down. All the same, I think he was a great man.

I hold Luther aloft on account of his humanity. Despite his faults: his (likely) alcoholism, his manic-depressive nature, his terrible disdain for the Peasant Rebellion of 1525 and other similar events, and the anti-semitism of his later years; I still hold him dear. Some of these characteristics only strengthen his witness (though certainly not his anti-semitism). The depth of his humanity, of his weakness, makes him the kind of dirty saint the world needs. He was by no means perfect but still sought perfection, by no means peaceful but ever-seeking peace, didn't always extend grace but was certainly inclined to it.

If you come from a Protestant tradition, remember Luther on this day. If you are Catholic, remember All-Saints Day. If you aren't either but you're American, remember to vote tomorrow. It may be cliche, but your vote counts--regardless of whether or not you live in a swing state.

(Too many things came to mind at once while writing this that I couldn't think of many concrete examples from Luther's life so I'll just say if you want a fantastic bibliography of Luther read "Here I Stand" by Roland H. Bainton. If you want a second source other than Bainton, though I really didn't enjoy it at all I'll suggest "Luther: Man Between God and Devil" by Heiko A. Oberman.)