Luther’s “95 Theses”:
Supporting the Riot or Introducing a Revolutionary Thinking? By Jacob C. Dalley (4106454)
American Public University System
December 14, 2016
HIST121: Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War
Professor Busek
The Protestant Reformation dates back to the 16th century. This revolution touched political, religious and cultural aspects of life all over Europe. Martin Luther became the Father the Protestant Reformation, an event that strongly affected the influence of the Catholic Church across the continent, changing forever the unquestioned dominance of the Roman Church. It was during this time, that a priest named Johann Tetzel arrived in Wittenberg to sell indulgences. Luther who was against the sale …show more content…
He put it as follows: "it would be the Pope 's wish to give of his own money to very many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money” (Luther Thesis 51.) He also emphasized: “the assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain” (Luther Thesis 52). The main issue was the Pope’s forgiveness of guilt attached to sins after the wrongdoing itself had been relieved. If guilt was not dismissed by people’s positive actions, one would have to undergo clearance by fire in purgatory. Otherwise, one would not be allowed into heaven. Still, people could acquire upfront indulgences for themselves. We would call it an insurance practice to decrease or avoid the stay in purgatory after the death. Although, at certain points, Professor Luther tries to become an advocate of the Pope against misdeeds of the church system for which he had to bear direct responsibility: "if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter 's church should go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep" (Luther Thesis …show more content…
The only singular relation to them is they shared the same years. Luther did not tell the Germans to revolt. The only singular event that can relate to him is, simply adding fuel to the fire, a fire that was already set to happen. On one hand, Martin Luther issues a document, a document that was not written in protest, but was a general challenge to the public for a discussion. On the other hand, German peasants were looking for an end to their economic and political troubles. Luther became the means of an excuse to rise up in rebellion, and they protested. When Luther talked about religious freedom and the freedom of the Christian, he was talking about spiritual freedom. He did not refer to freedom in political matters.
Finally, the largest contrast in Luther’s doctrine and the Roman Church was not the discrepancy between essential good works and pointless indulgences. No, the main difference of views was between futile papal indulgences and crucial repentance, in which a sinner develops a new state of mind by cleansing his or her heart and soul. Keeping the above in mind, what part of the doctrine calls to burning homes or murdering the riches? People tend to see what they wish in any religion or doctrine, and what they see is seldom the original meaning that the document or the church
Supporting the Riot or Introducing a Revolutionary Thinking? By Jacob C. Dalley (4106454)
American Public University System
December 14, 2016
HIST121: Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War
Professor Busek
The Protestant Reformation dates back to the 16th century. This revolution touched political, religious and cultural aspects of life all over Europe. Martin Luther became the Father the Protestant Reformation, an event that strongly affected the influence of the Catholic Church across the continent, changing forever the unquestioned dominance of the Roman Church. It was during this time, that a priest named Johann Tetzel arrived in Wittenberg to sell indulgences. Luther who was against the sale …show more content…
He put it as follows: "it would be the Pope 's wish to give of his own money to very many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money” (Luther Thesis 51.) He also emphasized: “the assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain” (Luther Thesis 52). The main issue was the Pope’s forgiveness of guilt attached to sins after the wrongdoing itself had been relieved. If guilt was not dismissed by people’s positive actions, one would have to undergo clearance by fire in purgatory. Otherwise, one would not be allowed into heaven. Still, people could acquire upfront indulgences for themselves. We would call it an insurance practice to decrease or avoid the stay in purgatory after the death. Although, at certain points, Professor Luther tries to become an advocate of the Pope against misdeeds of the church system for which he had to bear direct responsibility: "if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter 's church should go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep" (Luther Thesis …show more content…
The only singular relation to them is they shared the same years. Luther did not tell the Germans to revolt. The only singular event that can relate to him is, simply adding fuel to the fire, a fire that was already set to happen. On one hand, Martin Luther issues a document, a document that was not written in protest, but was a general challenge to the public for a discussion. On the other hand, German peasants were looking for an end to their economic and political troubles. Luther became the means of an excuse to rise up in rebellion, and they protested. When Luther talked about religious freedom and the freedom of the Christian, he was talking about spiritual freedom. He did not refer to freedom in political matters.
Finally, the largest contrast in Luther’s doctrine and the Roman Church was not the discrepancy between essential good works and pointless indulgences. No, the main difference of views was between futile papal indulgences and crucial repentance, in which a sinner develops a new state of mind by cleansing his or her heart and soul. Keeping the above in mind, what part of the doctrine calls to burning homes or murdering the riches? People tend to see what they wish in any religion or doctrine, and what they see is seldom the original meaning that the document or the church