This month we Lutherans celebrate the Reformation, and let’s be honest, at times our celebration can come off to non-Lutherans as a bit self-congratulatory.
But the Lutheran Reformation did not begin with the five Solas, the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone, or “drawing the line” on Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist against the Roman Catholics on one side and the Calvinists on the other.
Luther’s reforms began with the posting of the 95 Theses. The first of these reads, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”
Repenting when we have erred requires no theological fluency, special Biblical knowledge, or persuasive skills as an orator, but in the world we live in—the world where “if you debate me, you hate me” and the conventional wisdom is that apologizing only provokes your opponent, it is the surest sign that we serve a different Master, and have different goals than those around us.
It is also a reform whose truth cannot be doubted by those who know us… and so, a witness to Our Lord.