Quite a Debate

Our school year is winding down, with just a few lessons in math and history to go. Our study of the Middle Ages, Reformation and Renaissance has brought us to study Martin Luther.

Today in history class we read an English translation of Luther's 95 Theses. Phew!

In my mind, images from movies, books, woodcuts and engravings fill in the scene. I can picture a resolute, robed monk tacking his papers (parchments?) to the door of the castle church. From there, my imagination really takes over! We read: Out of love for the truth and desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg... The introduction concluded with a request that those unable to be present for oral debate would participate in the debate by letters.

Now, I'm wondering, for how long, exactly, did Luther reserve the university conference room!?!

When I see how long it took us to read and give my children cursory understanding of the points, I can't imagine how long the day of debate would have been.