Concordia Lutheran Seminary

Luther 2017 Countdown: The 95 Theses Festivities

with support from FaithLife Financial & the CLS Guild

The festivities leading to the 500th anniversary of the posting of the 95 Theses in 1517 continue. Luther’s publication of 95 Theses onto the door of Wittenberg Cathedral launched the Protestant Reformation. This ten-year program of celebrations and convocations began in fall 2008 and recurs each year around Reformation Day until 2017. Invited scholars from around the world and from a variety of backgrounds will speak about Luther and Lutheranism in the world. There will be cultural presentations as well; such as music, theatre, and lectures on cultural aspects of the Reformation and its consequences. The festivities will conclude each year with the annual Reformation Worship Service and lead to the big celebration in 2017.

This Year’s Festivities

2010 Luther’s trip to Rome.

Most Rev. Dr. Donald Bolen, Bishop of Saskatoon (find his CV here)

  • Saturday, October 30, 2010

Reformation Service, Preacher: Dr. Stephen Chambers

Location: TBD

  • Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Guest Lecturer, Dr. Donald Bolen "How is Luther Seen Today in North American Roman Catholicism"

Location: TBD

Past Festivities

2009 Luther receives his Baccalaureus Biblicus in Erfurt.

  • Prof. Gerson Linden, President of Seminario Concordia in Sao Leopoldo, Brazil, Lecture: "Luther in South America"

2008 Luther’s ordination as a Priest. His first Mass celebration. His vows as a monk: spiritual struggles. Begins Theology studies in Erfurt (1507).

  • Prof. Dr. Robert Rosin, Lecture: "Luther becoming a Reformer".

Future Festivities

2011 Luther moves to Wittenberg and teaches Philosophy in the University.

  • Speaker (Philosopher, TBA):
  • Theology and Philosophy in the Lutheran history

2012 Luther receives Doctorate in Theology

  • Speaker (from the Lutheran Church in Nicaragua, TBA)
  • Luther in Central America

2013 Luther’s “Tower Experience”. He discovers the Gospel.

  • Speaker (from Lutheran Church in Thailand,TBA)
  • Luther in Asia

2014 Luther receives position as a preacher in the city church in Wittenberg.

  • Speaker (from Lutheran Church in Africa, TBA)
  • Luther in Africa

2015 Luther becomes Dean of Studies in the Monastery and Overseer of eleven other monasteries (1516)

  • Speaker (from Lutheran Church in Germany, TBA)
  • Luther in Europe Today

2016 Erasmus’ 1st edition of Greek New Testament in Basel.

  • Speaker (from Lutheran Church in Australia, TBA)
  • Luther in Oceania

2017 Pope Leo X’s Jubilee Indulgences, and Tetzel. Luther’s 95 Theses.

  • Various Speakers
  • General Symposium on the Lutheran Reformation.

For more information contact Dr. Manfred Zeuch or Rev. Daniel Deyell.