Commemoration To Be Held In Novato: Celebrating 500 Years Of Reformation

On October 31, 1517, a German monk and professor named Martin Luther posted his now famous Ninety-Five Theses on the church door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg. This action, along with the subsequent widespread distribution of these theses, is widely recognized as the start of the Protestant Reformation. In his theses, Luther spoke out against the church’s practices concerning the selling of indulgences. This was just the beginning, however, for Luther. As time progressed and his theological study continued, Luther continued to find teachings in the church that he believed were not in accord with Scripture. Luther’s teaching on justification by faith alone is a particular hallmark of the Protestant Reformation and became a central issue of controversy between him and the Roman Catholic Church. Ultimately, Luther helped spark a widespread movement that at first sought to reform the church. As efforts to reform the church were met with strong opposition, it ultimately resulted in Protestants breaking away from the Roman church and the papacy.

These early reformers believed truth and the sound doctrine revealed in the Bible must be recovered, defended, and promulgated. They insisted that the Bible must be the sole authority for the church’s teachings and doctrine. They stood fast against much opposition, and in some cases, died for their convictions. This is the heritage of Protestant churches.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the Ninety-Five Theses and the Protestant Reformation. For the past twenty-five years, there has been an annual Reformation Service held in Novato to commemorate this history and consider its ongoing legacy. The event continues this year, held at 495 San Marin Drive in Novato, sponsored by Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC), Novato and Sovereign Grace Community Church (SBC), Petaluma. The formal service will be held at 5:30 pm, with refreshments following the service. This year, in light of the historic milestone, there will additionally be a church history lecture held at 4pm.

The keynote speaker for both the service and lecture will be Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Church History at Westminster Seminary California. During the lecture, Dr. Godfrey will speak on “Luther and Grace” with a Bible reading from Rom 9:15-18. For the service, Dr. Godfrey will preach on Galatians 1:1-10 in a sermon titled “The Unchanged Gospel”.

More information on the event can be found online at: www.trinityopcnovato.org/refor...