Frustrated with the false teaching and corruption in the church of his day, an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther took matters into his own hands when he posted the now famous 95 Theses (or grievances) on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. In God’s good providence, that simple action sparked one of the greatest gospel renewal and church reform movements the world has ever seen.
And it all began on Halloween…
Wait, what? You read that right. The launch of what would become known as the Protestant Reformation began on the one night a year where ghosts and goblins rule the streets, October 31, 1517. Luther’s decision to nail the 95 Theses on that particular day was probably not a coincidence.
Halloween is short for All Hallows Eve. The word, “hallow” means to honor something or someone as “holy.” You know this because you say it every week in worship, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Historically speaking, All Hallows’ Eve was the name given to the night before the Christian feast of All Saint’s Day, which was celebrated on November 1st. All Saints Day is the annual remembrance of those who have died in Christ and gone before us into heaven.
It has been suggested that Martin Luther chose to nail his 95 Theses on the night before All Saints Day, because his protest was calling the church to return to “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Luther believed the late medieval Roman Catholic Church had lost its way theologically (1 Timothy 4:1), and that the time had come for a return to the historic understanding of the gospel and the work of the church.
Rehearsing the legacy of faith passed down through the generations is a critical part of what it means to be a Christian disciple (Hebrews 12:1). We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before, who have died and today dwell in heaven with Jesus Christ. It has been common practice in the church of yesteryear to pause during this season and remember those who have gone before us into glory and give thanks to the Lord for their life and legacy of faith.
As a way of stepping toward that practice, next Sunday, Nov. 3rd, we will recognize All Saints Day and take time in our worship services to name, remember, and give thanks for the people who have died in Christ whose life and ministry has done much to strengthen our walk of faith. You will have an opportunity in service to write a person(s) name on an All Saint’s Day Card and jot a few words of thanksgiving for how God used them in your life. It could be a grandmother who modeled humility, or a coach that challenged you spiritually, or a Sunday School teacher that taught you the Scripture, or a work colleague that always knew just how to lift you up when you were down. It could be a historical figure—a missionary, pastor, writer, musician, etc. It can be anyone who has passed from this life into the presence of Jesus Christ who the Lord has used to build you up in the faith.
If you would, take a few minutes this week to consider whose name you’ll write and how God used them in your life. The cards are available today at the entrances to the church. Please feel free to take one or two. They’ll also be available next week in the pews.
After filling out the card, bring it forward during communion on November 3rd, so your pastors and leaders can give thanks and celebrate God’s faithfulness through the generations. Let’s enter this special season together, remembering with thanksgiving those who have gone on before us—anticipating the day when we will all be reunited in glory.