Reformation

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October 31, 1517 is traditionally recognized as the date on which Martin Luther launched the sixteenth-century reformation of the church. On the eve of All Saints, Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the church door in Wittenberg. These Theses addressed the dozens of theological (and practical) abuses brought about by the sale of indulgences, the proceeds of which were used to support the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Now, you wouldn’t expect worship to be included in Luther’s list of indulgence abuses. However, in a backhanded sort of way, ceremonies are mentioned in Thesis 55. “Indulge” me. Maybe Luther’s statement quoted here reveals just a hint of how his point of view on humanly instituted ceremonies in liturgy was germinating already in 1517. This translation is from the Project Wittenberg site.

“It must be the intention of the pope that if pardons, which are a very small thing, are celebrated with one bell, with single processions and ceremonies, then the Gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.”

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