The Protestant Reformation: After Darkness, Light

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, an event that literally changed the world. It was on October 31, 1517, when a young German monk named Martin Luther walked to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and nailed to the front door what have become known as his 95 theses. What was intended to be an act to promote a conversation within the academic community quickly spread throughout Germany, igniting a movement which has had an impact on the world to this very day.Prior to the Reformation 500 years ago, the church had fallen into a very dark place. Just as the moons shields the light from the sun, the church had in effect had shielded the light of the gospel from the hearts of the people. That is why if you travel today to Geneva, you will find a very famous wall called the Reformation Wall. Engraved in the stone wall are the words Post Tenebras Lux, which means “after darkness, light.” That is the central idea of the Reformation. The Reformation sought to remove the eclipse so that the light of the gospel could once again shine in full brilliance.This book comes from a collection of classes taught during the 2017 fall semester of Equipping University at Western Avenue Baptist Church. The classes explored the background of the Protestant Reformation, the Reformation itself, and the impact the Reformation continues to have up to the present. While many people may be aware of the nailing of the 95 theses, there are many more important events that occurred before and after Luther’s act which may not be as well known, but which are vital to our understanding of the Protestant Reformation.