October 31

A little story . . .

By Brett Scott Provance

In 1510, Raphael was painting the walls of the Pope’s library in the Vatican

At the same time, Michelangelo was only a short distance away painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican

As they were painting, Old St. Peter’s, the great church that had been erected by Constantine the Great, standing well over one thousand years, was razed to make way for Pope Julius II’s new St. Peter’s basilica.

Even Michelangelo mourned the destruction of the old distinguished edifice, though later he would crown the new church with its famous dome.

New St. Peter’s, Vatican City (Rome)

While the two great artists painted, and while the new church building was receiving its form, two Augustinian monks in Erfurt, Germany, were sent on a epistolary mission to Rome. Walking the long roads to the great city, they anticipated visiting the episcopal seat of western Christianity.

However, at least one of them was shocked at what he saw as wealthy decadence and lack of spiritual fervor.

The next year, that monk became a professor at a new, small university in Wittenberg (Germany)

Historical documents indicate that students began flocking to his lectures on biblical studies

and among the faculty, deep theological discussions erupted.

October 31 On this day in 1517, that

Augustinian monk nailed a list of 95 theses to the church door at Wittenberg, inviting others to a theological disputation.

His name was Martin Luther.

October 31 is thus celebrated by many Christians as

Reformation Day

Three years later, Luther wrote three works that shook all of Europe

To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation: Luther declared that secular rulers are not subject to the Church.

The Babylonian Captivity of the Church: Luther took on the seven-sacrament system, incl. transubstantiation; he rejected withholding the cup from the laity.

The Freedom of a Christian: “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” One is saved by faith alone, and good works benefit one’s neighbor; Luther also upheld the priesthood of all believers, the beginning of modern western democracy.

Luther’s famous dictum concerning the individual Christian

He declared that a Christian is simil justus et peccator, that is, at the same time, a saint and a sinner :

A saint on account of Christ’s imputed righteousness, that is, the Christian is declared righteous based on Christ’s righteousness (Romans 4:5; 5:8-9, 16, 19)

A sinner because, well, we’re not fooling anyone (1 John 1:8; Romans 3:23).

Speaking of saints . . .

October 31

The Eve of All Saints’ Day

“Hallow” means “holy”: “Hallowed be Thy Name” (the Lord’s Prayer) “And God blessed the seventh day, and

hallowed it” (Genesis 2:3) A “saint” is a “holy one”

It is from this expression that the current day is named in the popular culture: “All Hallows’ Even” elides to “Hallowe’en”

The old wording is All Hallows’ Even

And thus November 1 is All Saints’ Day

It is the day to remember those Christians who have passed on

Many churches will list the names of those members who have passed away the previous year

For all the saints who from their labors rest,Who thee by faith before the world confessed,Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blest:

Alleluia, alleluia!

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Integrated Humanities II