Martin Luther is most remembered for his 95 Theses, nailed to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. But though his 95 Theses may be Luther’s most famous contribution to the Reformation, he made his most profound contribution six months later at the Heidelberg Disputation on April 26, 1518. With the eyes of Europe and the church upon him to see if he would soften his 95 Theses, Luther ran even further into the Reformation with his “Theology of the Cross.” It electrified the audience.
Not only did Luther not soften his 95 Theses, but he advanced beyond them by leaps and bounds. Luther’s “Theology of the Cross” was unlike anything the wisdom of man had heard before. Europe staggered; the church was scandalized; the best and brightest men mobilized against it. Still today, Luther’s “Theology of the Cross” appears to be great folly to the wisdom of man. Ah, yes—it appears to be great folly to the wisdom of man; but the “Theology of the Cross” is a sweet comfort to the mind of faith. For the “Theology of the Cross” is simply the gospel of our savior applied to the doctrine and life of his church.
What is Luther’s “Theology of the Cross”? It is not so much a doctrine to be set alongside other doctrines. Rather, the “Theology of the Cross” is a way of thinking. It is the way for faith to think like God and not like man. For God did not glorify himself in the palace of a king but in the sweat and blood and death and curse and scandal of the cross. When the church grasps this by faith, then she understands all of theology and all of life.
This Reformation Day weekend, we would be very pleased if you would join us for a lecture on Martin Luther’s “Theology of the Cross.”
- Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
- Time: 7:00pm
- Host: Remnant Reformed Church
- Venue: Pavilion Christian School, 9181 Kenowa Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534
- Speaker: Rev. Andrew Lanning
- Topic: Martin Luther’s “Theology of the Cross”
- Program: Lecture followed by Q&A and Refreshments