Dear Partners in Mission:

Sunday October 26, 2025 we will celebrate the Lutheran Reformation. Remembering the legacy of 500+ years when on All Saint’s Eve Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg. These theses were an invitation to debate, particularly about the sale of indulgences. Each was really only about one sentence long and expected background knowledge. To one not “in the know” they can seem laborious. The work of scholars/monks with too much time on their hands.

Yet if we understand what was as stake we can see their value for us today. Luther was writing in protest of those who would chain the Word of God, the gift of salvation, and make it a property of the church. And he, following the 8th commandment, assumed this could only have happened because the bishop’s were unaware.  If only they knew what was happening they would correct this and unchain the gift of assurance of salvation. Of course, he was wrong, the church knew exactly what it was doing. Attempting to chain the word of God was attractive then as it is now.

Today we face similar challenges of those who would try to chain the Word. Saying that because of gender or sexuality some are excluded from ministry. Who preach a gospel of national exceptionalism, believing our nation, or a particular political party, or a particular race, to be superior and more God blessed than others. Putting an institution, even our institution, before the need for God’s people to hear the Word and receive the Supper. Claiming to be Christian but clearly not following the commands of Christ and his example of cruciform love. Who say “‘Cross, cross,’ and there is no cross.” (Thesis 93)

Despite our sinful efforts the Word of God acts. St. Paul wrote to Timothy (and we read in our worship Oct. 12) “The word of God is not chained” (2nd Timothy 2:9). Human institutions may fail to proclaim God’s Word in its truth and purity. Yet the gospel continues to work as the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy God’s people as she does her work to help us trust (believe) in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God that the chains of death could not hold. The gift of justification by faith given through God’s gracious love in the Word made flesh.

Celebrate this Reformation Day! Semper Reformanda! May our witness here in NT-NL be clear. God’s Word cannot be chained by any human institution, church, or empire. Verbum dei manet in aeternum.

#Juntosenmision,

Bishop Gronberg