Late October is a time when many Christians think about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Lutherans observe Reformation Day (or Reformation Sunday). Yet, the Lutheran Reformation has also influenced many other Christians. Although I grew up and was educated in other traditions, the Lutheran Reformation has influenced my lifelong spiritual and theological development.
Historically, many other Christians are indebted to the Lutheran movement. Probably, Zwingli's fame would have only been known in one or two Swiss cantons if his reforming efforts had not been contemporary with Luther's. In his critiques of the French church, Calvin was first considered a follower of Luther. The Anglican reformers were influenced by Lutheran theology and liturgical reform, and at first, they were called "Lutherans." John Wesley's conversion experience was associated with Moravian reading aloud Luther's Preface to Romans. So, despite differing on theological details, most Protestants have looked to Luther's examples and ideas. Without wanting to admit it, even the Roman Church was spurred to some of its moral, practical, and educational reforms by the challenge of Lutheran thought and practice (in the sixteenth century and in the twentieth century).
To this day, traditional Protestants continue to accentuate Scriptural authority, free grace, and justifying faith. Luther's concern for orderly worship and respect for the Creeds and the Sacraments have survived the ravages of history. Despite many distortions by fallible human beings, Reformation insights into Scriptural truth are still live. God's Word abideth still!
