On the Eve of All Saints Day, October 31, 1517, at twelve o'clock, Dr. Martin Luther went to the Castle Church in Wittenberg and posted ninety-five theses on the church door.  This was the normal process used to ask for an academic disputation (a debate) on a particular theological question.  Luther had an irresistible compulsion to resolve the question of indulgences.  The manner he chose was widely practiced and a regular feature of university life at that time.   Luther wanted to see reform in a very sick church, so he sought reformation in the church.  It was the passion and pursuit of reformation that led to what is known today as the Protestant Church.

The Protestant Church got its name from the Latin "protestari" which has the root meaning "to protest."  However, the protest ended and compromise prevailed as the Protestant Church slowly slips to the precipice to make its final plunge into a neo-dark age.

Martin Luther protested against the deviation from the fundamental teaching of Christianity.  He argued that the church must return to "Scripture alone" as its source of authority.  With the authority in place the church must return to "justification by faith alone".  This doctrine teaches that man is declared righteous in the sight of God by an act of God.  God does not “make” man righteous; He “declares” man righteous (Genesis 15:6). From these protests and others the church was being reformed by the Word of God.  It is the duty of all Christians to maintain the integrity of the Reformation because "the church reformed is always reforming."

The church has celebrated the Reformation on October 31st for the past 493 years.  It is the celebration of the re-birth of the Protestant Church.  Has the Reformation ended or is it still in progress?  Are you protesting against the false teachings that seem to prevail within the halls of evangelicalism?  Then the answer is yes, God is using you as an instrument of reformation in the church!  Are you content to compromise God's truth in the name of unity?  Then the answer is no you are not a Reformer.

Professor John Murray said "the Reformation was the rediscovery of the revealed counsel of God on the most vital issues of the Christian faith."    "Reformation is about realizing that we can turn to our Christian past and rediscover things that we have neglected, that we have forgotten" (Modern Reformation, March/April 1994).  Will you work, pray, and contribute to the reformation of the church?  Let's celebrate Reformation day!