95 Days with the 95 Theses (Day 7)

The 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is being celebrated this year, 2017.  Why? Because historians acknowledge and date the beginning of the Reformation to October 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. 

Over the next couple of months, each day, I will offer a single theses for rumination and consideration.  To be sure, some will be less invigorating that others. Still, if you follow along, you will cover each of them over the next 95 days.

Please note that I will be using Timothy Wengert's "95 Theses with Introduction, Commentary, and Study Guide." If you don't have a copy, pick one up, it is an excellent resource.

[The Ninety-Five Theses or] Disputation for Clarifying the Power of Indulgences

Out of love and zeal for bringing truth to light, what is written below will be debated in Wittenberg with the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology and regularly appointed lecturer on these subjects at that place, presiding.  Therefore, he requests that those who cannot be present to discuss orally with us will in their absence do so by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

5. The pope neither desires nor is able to remit any penalties except those imposed by his own discretion or that of the canons.

6. The pope cannot remit any guilt except by declaring, and confirming, its remission by God or, of course, by remitting guilt in [legal] cases reserved to himself.  In showing contempt regarding such cases, the guilt would certainly remain. 

7. God remits the guilt of absolutely no one unless at the same time God subjects in all things the one humbled to God's vicar, the priest.

Luther emphasizes that God is the actor who works salvation and absolution.  As my seminary professor, Dr. Tom Ridenhour would say, "God is the subject of active verbs."  Any word of absolution or forgiveness, given by a person in religious authority, comes only by God's power and not via the person.

Lord God, you redeem, you save, you chastise, you forgive, you reconcile, you challenge, and you change us. Thank you! Amen.