October 31, 2017 will
mark the 500-year anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the
Wittenberg church door and igniting the Protestant Reformation. Already, celebrations are underway
to commemorate this momentous, world-changing event and this is presenting both
a challenge and an opportunity for Pope Francis and the Catholic Church.
On the one hand, it is an opportunity for Catholics to demonstrate Christian charity and unity by honoring Luther and participating in these events. On the
other hand, it is a challenge because the Catholic Church officially rejects Luther and labels him a heretic.
In nailing his 95 Theses to the church door, Luther, a Catholic priest
and University professor, was challenging his church’s practice of selling
indulgences. These indulgences offered forgiveness of sins and freedom from purgatory, all for a
price.
From there, Luther went on
to challenge papal authority and the sacramental system of the Catholic Church. Ordered to appear before a tribunal of cardinals, bishops and the Roman
Emperor, Luther was ordered to recant his teachings or suffer excommunication,
which could also mean death.
Luther told this court, meeting
in the city of Worms and known as the Diet of Worms, that he was willing to
recant but only if convinced by reason and the Scriptures that he
was in error. The Roman hierarchy, however, was not in the habit of “reasoning” with
those who challenged their authority, and they demanded that Luther admit his
error there on the spot.
In his famous reply, which
struck a blow for individual freedom and religious liberty, Luther said,
"I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they
have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves. I consider myself convicted
by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis. My conscience is captive
to the Word of God; thus I cannot and will not recant anything, because acting
against one's conscience is neither safe nor sound. Here I stand! God help me!
Amen!"
Luther was excommunicated
and had to live as a fugitive in hiding for a time. But out of his bold stand
for the Gospel, there emerged the Lutheran Church and then other churches and
movements emerged as the Reformation grew and expanded.
The challenge for Pope Francis and the
Catholic Church this year is how far will they go in embracing Luther? After all, Luther is still a heretic and Protestant churches
are not true churches according to official Catholic doctrine.
Pope Francis has thus far been positive in statements he has
made about Luther and these celebrations. However, if Francis is truly serious
about Christian unity, here are three steps he could take that would clearly
demonstrate that his commitment to Christian unity is more than mere words.
1) Issue an official statement encouraging Catholics around the world to
participate in these celebrations with their Protestant brothers and sisters.
2) Remove Luther’s excommunication and ban
as a heretic.
3) Recognize Lutheran and Protestant
churches as true churches rather than mere “Christian communities,” and
Protestant believers as full and complete Christians rather than “separated
brethren.”
Although there have been
Catholic/Protestant dialogues involving theologians that have resulted in
agreements on issues such as justification by faith, official Catholic policy
since Vatican II has not changed. Luther is a heretic and Protestant churches
are not true churches.
This 500-year anniversary
of the Reformation is a great opportunity that most likely will never exist again. I pray that Pope Francis and the Catholic Church will seize the
opportunity and show that they are truly serious about Christian unity.
Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, historian and Biblical scholar. His books on church history, church order and Spiritual awakening are available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.
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