Why this Protestant Doesn't Celebrate Reformation Day
I am a Protestant, but I will not be celebrating Reformation Day tomorrow. You may disagree with me and that’s okay—I hope this will always be a space where we can listen earnestly to opposite viewpoints, and when we disagree, do so with grace and charity.
For those of you wondering what the heck Reformation Day is, let me catch you up to speed. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses, a paper written to dispute the abuse of indulgences by Catholic clergy, onto the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This event marks the beginning of what eventually became the Protestant Reformation. It is why your denomination—and thousands others—exist today.
So why don’t I, a Protestant (one might even say a “Professional Protestant”) celebrate the very reason for my church’s existence?
First, the Protestant church is not my church. Christ’s church is my church, and it consists of anyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Lord—Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox alike.
The division of Christ’s church is not something to celebrate. It is something to mourn. Yes, I believe the Reformation brought about important, and ultimately necessary changes, but it ought to break our hearts that the cost of those reforms is the brokenness of Christ’s own body.
Finally, the church already has a name for October 31, and it’s All Hallows’ Eve—a day in which we watch and eagerly anticipate All Saints’ Day.
Do I think one can celebrate Reformation Day without glorifying division and boasting in our brokenness? I do. But, I would rather pray for unity, for peace, and for faithfulness in the whole Body of Christ.
So, instead tomorrow, I will affirm the Joint Declaration put forth by the Lutheran and Catholic Church in 1999: “We confess together: By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and calling us to good works.” Amen.