October 31, 1517, is the best-known date in Protestant history-- the day Martin Luther nailed his convictions to the Wittenburg door. But an incident that happened sixteen years before helps us understand Luther's boldness. Rodrigo Borgia was named a cardinal in 1456, and "no sooner had he donned his red hat than he removed it, together with the rest of his raiment, for a marathon romp with a succession of women whose identity is unknown to us and may well have been unknown to him." His immorality only increased when in 1492, he became Pope Alexander VI.
On October 30, 1501, Pope Alexander presided over the infamous Ballet of the Chestnuts. Guests approaching the papal palace saw living statutes of naked, gilded young people in erotic poses. Inside, after the dishes were cleared from the banquet hall, the city's most beautiful prostitutes danced with the guests, shedding their clothes a bit at a time. Eventually the pope and his sons became judges of a contest in which guests stripped and performed with one another. Alexander awarded prizes to the men.
The corruption of the papacy continued under Alexander's successor, Julius II, and when Luther visited Rome in 1510, he was shocked to find the papal court served by "twelve naked girls." Down to his old age Luther remembered seeing and hearing of sexual abominations taking place in the name of Christ by those who were thought to be spiritual leaders. He later wrote, "I would not have missed seeing Rome for a hundred thousand florins. If I did I should ever had been uneasy lest I might have done injustice to the pope."
It was the demoralized nature of the papacy as much as its doctrinal failure that convinced Luther to risk prosecution and excommunication with fortitude. Holy living--personal purity--Luther knew, is married to pure doctrine, and the union is inseparable...for "the just shall live by faith."
"You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols." Ephesians 5:3-5
(Taken from On This Day In Christian History by Robert J. Morgan)
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