Asbury Theological Seminary and Asbury University are joining together for a series of events from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 to celebrate the meaning and impact of the Protestant Reformation on its 500th anniversary.

The free events will feature teaching, worship and music.

Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His actions are recognized as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, and Christians worldwide gather to celebrate this legacy.

“We are delighted to host this event along with Asbury University,” Dr. Timothy Tennent, President of Asbury Theological Seminary, said. “We hope to honor the Reformers’ original vision. In spite of our differences, we have significant doctrinal consensus that unites us as ‘mere Protestants.’”

All events will be held at Asbury University or Asbury Seminary’s Kentucky Campus.

On Tuesday, Oct. 31, Dr. J. Steven O’Malley’s “Luther: The First Modern Man?” will take place at 11 a.m. at Estes Chapel at Asbury Seminary, with a performance by the Asbury University Chorale.

A ‘Talkback Lunch’ will follow immediately afterwards in the Cordelia Dining Room at the Sherman Thomas Student Center at Asbury Seminary featuring Pastor Ron Luckey, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Then at 7 p.m. in the McKenna Chapel, there will be a joint performance of Asbury University Orchestra and Chorale with congregational singing under director Nathan Miller. Featured will be Bach’s Reformation Cantata, Ein Feste Burg and BMW 80. A reception will follow.

Wednesday, Nov. 1 events will begin at 10 a.m. in the Hughes Auditorium with Prof. Martin Dotterweich of King University’s “Martin Luther and the 95 Theses: 500 Years of Evangelical Legacy.”

At 11 a.m., ‘Roman Catholicism and Protestantism: What’s Still at Stake 500 Years After the Reformation’, presented by Dr. Kenneth Collins, will take place in the Estes Chapel followed by a ‘Talkback Lunch’ in the Cordelia Dining Room in the Sherman Thomas Student Center. A ‘Talkback Lunch’ with Prof. Dotterweich will be held at noon in the Dougherty Dining Room.

At 4 p.m. in the Kinlaw Library Boardroom, ‘95 Theses and the Bible: Sola Scriptura and Protestant Interpretation of Scripture’ with Prof. Dotterweich will be held, while a Biblical Studies Seminar on The Bible and the Reformation takes place in Room 205/206 of McPheeters Hall at Asbury Seminary.

The celebration will wrap up on Thursday, Nov. 2 after a presentation by Asbury Seminary President Dr. Timothy C. Tennent in Estes Chapel at 11 a.m. followed by a ‘Talkback Lunch’ in the Cordelia Dining Room.

A complete schedule of events can be found online at Asbury.to/reformation. Contact Asbury’s chapel office at 859-858-2370 or chapel@asburyseminary.edu with questions.

Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in 1923 by H.C. Morrison with a class of three students and an audacious seal that said, “The Whole Bible for the Whole World.” Its mission is to prepare theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to evangelize and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world.

Almost 100 years later, the Seminary has more than 10,000 graduates serving in every time zone around the world through social justice initiatives, government, art, mission organizations, education and the church.