Martin Luther is most publically known for starting the Protestant Reformation. His written document, “The Ninety-Five Theses,” justified his disagreement with the Catholic Church. Luther was justified in attacking the Catholic Church because it was “corrupt” with indulgence at the time, Christians were being led astray by paid Christian attractions, and began to corrupt those within the Church as well.
The Catholic Church in the 16th century, gave indulgences to sinners as a way to physically pay off their sins. In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church in Martin Luther's time, an indulgence is "a way to completely withdraw or lower the amount of punishment one has to withstand for sins.” That basically means that indulgences may lower …show more content…
Martin saw this as a disgrace and a complete violation of the idea of confession and penance. This was a serious offense to justice and salvation. Based on Luther’s understanding of the scriptures, forgiveness could not and should not be bought, but rather was a free gift of God’s own everlasting mercy to his sinful children. Luther then looked to open the debate by nailing a copy of the “Ninety-Five Theses” to the door of Wittenberg Castle Church. It was an open invitation to have a open public debate on the issues discussed in the theses. Luther began to distribute the “Ninety-Five Theses” to the common people. Within two weeks the Theses had spread like wildfire throughout Germany. Within two months they had covered Europe and eventually moved to Latin to distribute the Theses. They also pushed through printing presses in all the major nations. Among other things, Luther’s Theses would call into question the limits of the pope’s authority. Particularly, Luther questioned whether the pope could remit guilt of sin and whether it was possible to grant anyone the remission of all penalties. The “Ninety-Five Theses” had asked questions and brought up points of contention that many had wanted to ask, but few had dared to. Luther was the voice for a growing discontent within the Catholic
The Catholic Church in the 16th century, gave indulgences to sinners as a way to physically pay off their sins. In the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church in Martin Luther's time, an indulgence is "a way to completely withdraw or lower the amount of punishment one has to withstand for sins.” That basically means that indulgences may lower …show more content…
Martin saw this as a disgrace and a complete violation of the idea of confession and penance. This was a serious offense to justice and salvation. Based on Luther’s understanding of the scriptures, forgiveness could not and should not be bought, but rather was a free gift of God’s own everlasting mercy to his sinful children. Luther then looked to open the debate by nailing a copy of the “Ninety-Five Theses” to the door of Wittenberg Castle Church. It was an open invitation to have a open public debate on the issues discussed in the theses. Luther began to distribute the “Ninety-Five Theses” to the common people. Within two weeks the Theses had spread like wildfire throughout Germany. Within two months they had covered Europe and eventually moved to Latin to distribute the Theses. They also pushed through printing presses in all the major nations. Among other things, Luther’s Theses would call into question the limits of the pope’s authority. Particularly, Luther questioned whether the pope could remit guilt of sin and whether it was possible to grant anyone the remission of all penalties. The “Ninety-Five Theses” had asked questions and brought up points of contention that many had wanted to ask, but few had dared to. Luther was the voice for a growing discontent within the Catholic