You make me want to be a better man.

Happy Reformation Day!

Critical of church corruption, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his "95 Theses" on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, sparking the world changing phenomenon known as the Protestant Reformation.

My heart today is expressed in a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer (1662):

"And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow their good examples, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom: Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen."

Thanks be to God for the Reformers, because of whom we are able to have and read the Scriptures in our own languages. May we appreciate and emulate their courage and passion for proclaiming the God of the Scriptures.

Well, you just told me that I had a plethora, and I would just like to know if you know what it means to have a plethora.

In honor of the upcoming Reformation Day on Saturday, a plethora of Reformation Day (October 31, 1517) links for your reading pleasure.

Read the lyrics of the Reformation Polka.



Read James Galyon's overview of Luther & the Reformation's birth.

Read Martin Luther's 95 Theses.

Read about the 5 Solas per James Montgomery Boice.

Read Gunny's thoughts on Sola Scriptura.

Read Reepicheep's piece about the biography of Luther leading up to and including his conversion.

Watch a video of D. James Kennedy explaining the significance of Reformation Day. (HT James Galyon)

Read a short selection from Roland Bainton's Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.

Read some insight into the relationship between Martin Luther and his beloved Katie.

Read Erasmus' In Praise of Folly.

Read Gunny's thoughts on pre-Reformer John Huss.

Read Luther's thoughts on lazy pastors.

Read Luther's thoughts on God's punishment.

Check out John Piper's notes & audio of his biography of Martin Luther.

Read Gunny's reflections on the life of John Calvin.

Check out Tim Challies' 2008 collection of Reformation Day items.

Check out some Reformation Art.

Read Luther's explanation of his seal/rose.

Read Gunny's suggested acrostic to replace TULIP as the expression of Reformed soteriology.

Read Tom Ascol's thoughts on John Calvin and how his readers celebrated Calvin's 500th birthday.

Other suggestions?

"Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty."
- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, I.1.3

Bow to your sensei.

Today is October 31st, special for at least 3 reasons.

First, it is Reformation Day, celebrating the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses of unhappiness with the Roman Catholic system for discussion in 1517. People of the Protestant ilk, and most of western civilization needs to bow to your sensei.

Secondly, it is the birthday of one Robert Van Winkle.

So, I share with you some lyrics from each.

Martin Luther:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott, ein gute Wehr und Waffen;
Er hilft uns frei aus aller Not, Die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
Der alt’ böse Feind, Mit Ernst er’s jetzt meint,
Gross’ Macht und viel List Sein’ grausam’ Ruestung ist,
Auf Erd’ ist nicht seingleichen.

Robert Van Winkle:


Third, Ligonier Ministries is practically giving away genuine leather ESV Reformation Study Bibles for any donation until November 2.