For most conservative American evangelicals, "Reformation Day" is not a big deal. Many, if asked, might think it to be a special emphasis day for prison ministry.
Most of us know the day as Halloween instead (or something closely approximating it), even if we feel a little guilty about that. I'll be away traveling tonight, unable to indulge the trick-or-treaters, so maybe I'll just nail 95 Reese's to the door.
But as one who grew up in a half-Catholic, half-Baptist extended family, October 31st is an interesting time for me. What would Martin Luther have done on that thundrous road if he'd had a background like mine? Invited Saint Anne into his heart as his personal lightning rod? Pledged to start a "True Nuns Wait" campaign?
What I do know is that, whatever your view of the Reformation, it's obvious to see that some of the things that drove Luther to anger (and to despair) are everywhere present, to this day, often even in the most "Reformation-centric" evangelical churches.
Hardened rebels against God rest easy in a prayer said at Vacation Bible School, or a card signed at confirmation class. And guilty consciences stand paralyzed outside, fearful that Christ can only save those who look or dress or speak a certain way. And, through it all, American Christianity has become a vast conspiracy to sell one another products.
The combination of the damning power of cheap grace with the accusing agony of performance-based righteousness before God exists in every wing of the church. That's because it's not a medieval problem, but a primeval one.
Being raised Irish/Italian Catholic and becoming an Evangelical as a 23 yr. old adult, I know exactly what you mean and it is a constant frustration for me.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I, as a protestant LCMS Lutheran, consider Halloween to be a non-Christian celebration of the dead holiday. It has nothing to do with being a Christian whether Catholic with a large C or catholic with a small c.
I wish to change my users name.
I have long appreciated Jaroslav Pelikan’s description of the Reformation as a “tragic necessity. The history of Israel in the Old Testament was one of recurring cycles of turning away, followed by calls to repentance. Human nature being what it is, I see no reason to view the history of the Church since New Testament times any differently. I can’t be the only one to have noticed that the indulgence peddlers of Luther’s day could easily trade places with many of the televangelists of our own time, so I’d say this essay nails it in its assessment (pun intended).
Old Marine, I’m afraid you’re way out to lunch on that, as a matter of history if nothing else.
Jason, I’m not sure what you mean, I took Old Marine’s comment as meaning that our cultural celebration of Halloween has nothing Christian in it (which is certainly true) and that it has replaced whatever religious celebration we had for All Hallow’s Eve. All Saint’s Day we still celebrate but I have never experienced any traditional religious celebration on its eve. Though perhaps you know of some churches in our society that still maintain such a celebration. If so, they must be keeping it very quiet.
This is not to say that carving pumkins and trick or treating is unChristian, and I don’t think Old Marine was saying that (though he can speak for himself) but rather that there is no Christian reason to participate in it other than to be charitable with our neighbors.
As for Reformation Day, as an Anglican I never remember it being observed. Perhaps it is in the more hardline Evangelical parishes. It has little appeal to me, as it is such a mixed bag. The Reformation I hold to be a necessary evil (the church needed to be reformed) but the schism and splintering that resulted is certainly not something to be celebrated. It is something to be mourned and corrected.
Perhaps we should moved Reformation Day to Lent.
Happy All Saint’s Day!