We celebrate and remember the historic event of the Reformation, a landmark event that marked the Church's return to the foundations of the gospel, igniting a spiritual, theological, and social transformation that persists to this day. Among the defining moments of that spiritual revolution was the trial of Martin Luther, who, after posting his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517, challenged the practice of selling indulgences. These indulgences promised forgiveness of past and future sins for both the living and the dead, exposing a corrupt system that abused people's faith. This is evident from the phrase, "As soon as the coin rings in the box, the soul leaves hell," attributed to Johann Tetzel, a 16th-century Dominican monk who sold indulgences. This phrase means that by purchasing an indulgence, the soul of a loved one was freed from purgatory. Tetzel was an efficient seller of indulgences, but his practice was disapproved of by Martin Luther, who considered such transactions to be shameful and to aggravate the sins of the purchasers. Luther's protest caused much annoyance to the Catholic Church, so he was summoned to a church trial where he was required to renounce his writings and retract his criticisms. It was on this occasion that he uttered the words that resonate loudly in history: “I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, for to go against conscience is neither safe nor healthy. Here I am, I can do nothing else. So help me God. Amen.” This response not only showed a deep conviction in the Scriptures, but marked a point of no return for the Protestant Reformation. That trial was not the end of his struggle. After standing his ground and challenging the ecclesiastical power of his time, Luther was condemned and, upon leaving the courtroom, faced the immediate threat of retaliation. However, his friends staged a fake kidnapping to protect him, taking him to Wartburg Castle, where he spent a year under the name “Sir Jörg,” dedicated to translating the New Testament into German. During this time, Luther gave his people direct access to the Word of God, sowing the seeds of a personal faith and a spirituality based on Scripture.
This journey to the day of his trial was not an easy one. Luther faced two previous trials, kidnapping attempts, and death threats. Although his life and faith were in constant danger, his conviction and trust in God’s work were stronger. Before the trial, Luther prayed for divine strength, acknowledging his mission with these words: “My God, do you not hear me? You have chosen me for this work. Do Your own will.” Do not abandon me, for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, my defense and strength... Amen.”
The Reformation established fundamental theological principles, which today we recognize as the
Five Solas: Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria. Luther, in
expressing that his conscience was “captive to the Word of God,” not only affirmed the final authority of Scripture, but stressed that a conscience tied to divine truth is the only thing that guarantees true freedom in the life of the believer. For the Hispanic church today, in an age of relativism, secularism, and growing disconnection with church history, the message of the Reformation is more relevant than ever. In a world where truths are changing and spirituality is diluted in subjectivism, the Hispanic church faces the challenge of remaining faithful to the Scriptures and reaffirming an identity based on biblical truth.
The Reformation reminds us that God's truth is immutable and that His Word does not adapt to the trends of each era, but remains a firm rock, guiding the life and character of the church. Furthermore, the legacy of the Reformation calls the Hispanic church to value the importance of the history of faith. In a context where many Christians have lost contact with the roots of the church and with the sacrifice of those who defended the gospel, remembering the courage of Luther and other reformers encourages us to firmly uphold fundamental doctrines.
These principles are necessary to face the confusion of a world that proposes a truth that is relative and lacking in absolutes. The Reformation also invites the Hispanic church to live with a conscience tied to the Word of God. In times of moral confusion and pressure to conform to the norms of culture, the conscience must be a space where the voice of God resonates. Only a conscience illuminated and strengthened by His Word can resist the pressure of social currents and provide a firm and clear light in the midst of a world that constantly redefines good and evil.
Rev. Dr. Gianni Gracia
Revelation University President
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