Lutherans and Catholics have been in dialogue and ministry projects with one another. There has been an effort to understand one another. For some, that has been difficult to accept. It is a tremendous change to move from being enemy to friend and colleague. But that is what is happening.
Today marks another important milestone in that lengthy journey transforming enemy into friend.
This is no small event. On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted an invitation to academic debate on the topic of indulgences. That document is called The 95 Thesis. In order to understand why Luther challenged the practice of indulgences we need a little history and theology lesson. Over time, as the Church wrestled with questions about heaven, hell and the judgment that determined the eternal resting place of people after death, a complicated understanding came into being.