It was October 31, 1517, that a torch was lit that changed the world. It was on October 31 and over the next few years that Martin Luther challenged the status quo, faced down the lion, and set the world on fire. It was October 31 that hope was born for the dignity of man, the rule of law, freedom of thought and act (entrepreneurship), and mankind was given transformational hope.
October 31 was just the opening “shot” as a host of other events were needed to secure this new societal life. In fact, another big step in this change took place just six months after October 31 on April 26 when Martin Luther, rather than questioning and challenging, stated his take on “the just shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). His 28 statements of belief on faith were like a new Constitution for mankind.
Here is info about that April 26, 1518 event:
[Due to copyright guidelines, find the entire article at the link below.]
The Heidelberg Disputation – Rev. Christopher Maronde, lutheranreformation.org
“Distrusting completely our own wisdom…we humbly present to judgment of all those who wish to be here these theological paradoxes.” (AE 31:39)
Many events were set in motion by Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses on October 31st, 1517, but ironically, not the very thing he intended….
“Thus an action which is alien to God’s nature results in a deed belonging to His very nature: He makes a person a sinner so that He may make Him righteous.” (AE 31:51)
“To be born anew, one must consequently first die and then be raised up by the Son of Man.” (AE 31:55)
PK – Luther came to understand that all works by man were flawed and thus unacceptable before a holy God. He heard God teaching all men that man’s only means of salvation is a complete faith in the finished work of Jesus on Calvary. Thus Paul could say: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith,” Romans 1:16-17.
a PK Musing 
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