In about one month from today, many Christians will celebrate the 500th year anniversary of the Reformation. But why is it important?

Luther condemned the excesses and corruption of the Church of that day, especially the papal practice of asking payment�called �indulgences��for the forgiveness of sins. That's one aspect of the Reformation, but did it have an influence in spheres of life outside of theology and church practice? Was it all good? Today we begin a series of A Plain Answer programs on this important historical event that was actually spread over time and involved many Christian leaders. Today we begin the series by looking at the life of Dr. Martin Luther. He nailed his "95 Theses" on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The date was October 31, 1517. Our guest recommends the book: Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton. Participants: Rev. Mark Diedrich, Dan Elmendorf