Friday, October 31, 2025
October 31 — commemorating Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses in 1517, the start of the Protestant Reformation.
Reformation Day, observed on October 31, commemorates Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 — an act that became the symbolic beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The theses challenged the practice of selling indulgences and called for a return to biblical Christianity. Luther's central convictions — justification by faith alone, scripture alone, grace alone, Christ alone, glory to God alone (the five solas) — would reshape Western Christianity and Western civilization. The Reformation produced new churches (Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, and many others), translated the Bible into common languages, sparked widespread literacy, and challenged the political order of Europe. Reformation Day is observed primarily by Lutherans and other Protestants — particularly in Germany (where it is a public holiday in some states), Scandinavia, and parts of the United States. The day usually falls on or near Reformation Sunday (the Sunday on or before October 31).
Reformation Day observance includes: red vestments (the color of the Holy Spirit and martyrdom), the singing of 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' (Luther's hymn), readings on justification by faith (Romans 1:16-17, Romans 3:21-28, Galatians), sermons on the five solas, and special services emphasizing the Reformation's enduring relevance. In Lutheran tradition, the day is one of the most important in the church year alongside Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost.
The traditional Bible readings for Reformation Day include:
Reformation Day, observed October 31, commemorates Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517 — the symbolic beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The theses challenged the sale of indulgences and called for biblical reform of the church. Luther's subsequent writings shaped Western Christianity for the next 500 years.
The 95 Theses are a list of 95 arguments Luther proposed for academic debate, written in Latin and posted October 31, 1517. They primarily challenged the sale of indulgences (papal documents reducing time in purgatory). The theses argued that true repentance is internal, not transactional, and that papal authority cannot extend over God's direct forgiveness. They spread rapidly across Europe via the new printing press.
The five solas (Latin for 'only' or 'alone') summarize the Reformation's core convictions: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone is the authoritative rule of faith), Sola Fide (faith alone — not works — justifies the believer), Sola Gratia (grace alone — not merit — is the basis of salvation), Solus Christus (Christ alone is the mediator between God and humanity), and Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be glory).
Martin Luther wrote 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott) around 1527, based on Psalm 46. It became the anthem of the Reformation — a defiant declaration that despite earthly opposition, God's kingdom stands secure. It is now one of the most translated hymns in Christianity and is sung especially on Reformation Sunday and at Lutheran funerals.