The Source Behind Martin Luther’s 95 Theses
Early in 16th century Europe all writings were becoming more widely available due to the invention of the printing press, including the Bible and the writings of early church philosopher
Augustine. Martin Luther, a monk and a theology professor at Wittenberg University, shared
Augustine’s two central beliefs that the Bible has ultimate religious authority and that humans cannot reach salvation by their own acts. These beliefs would later become the basis of
Protestantism. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted a paper of 95 theses to the door of the Castle
Church in Wittenberg. This small task became a kickoff to igniting the Reformation, even though that was not the intention. These 95 theses were simple …show more content…
Upon word of absolution, pronounced by the prelist, the penitent sinner received forgiveness of sins. This would require the sinner to make some satisfaction, by saying a number of prayers, fasting, or giving alms. In 1517, the Catholic
THE SOURCE BEHIND MARTIN LUTHER’S 95 THESES
Church came to allow the penitent to substitute the payment of a sum of money for other forms
3
of penalty satisfaction. They even went as far as letting indulgences to be bought for relatives and friends who had died and passed into purgatory. During this time Luther posted “The 95
Theses” the Catholic Church was continuing to sell indulgences, even though they had been banned in Germany. The practice of selling indulgences was very popular with the majority of society who preferred to pay money, say a lot of prayers, and partake in many masses in order to shorten their suffering in Purgatory. The selling of indulgences had become an industry for the
Papacy, so much so that it paid for the building of St. Peters Basilica, one the largest church’s of its time. Selling indulgences was an unbiblical doctrine created by the Catholic Church. …show more content…
During the Middle Ages few people other than monks and priests even knew how to read and write their own language; therefore much trust was given to them for leadership, especially in spiritual matters. Luther’s 95 Theses shocked the Catholic
Church because it had gone unchallenged for nearly 500 years.
Luther’s Thoughts on Selling Indulgences
Luther strongly believed that indulgences could not remove any guilt, and could only induce a false sense of security. (Society, 2015) He was committed to the idea that salvation could only be reached through faith and by divine grace only. Acting on this belief, he wrote
“The 95 Theses,” a list of questions and propositions for debate. In it he wrote about the selling of indulgencies stating, “They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.” (Luther, 2015) He based this off of
THE SOURCE BEHIND MARTIN LUTHER’S 95 THESES the monk, Johann Tetzel, who hawked indulgences with the slogan: “As soon as the coin in the
4
coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” (Duiker, 385)
The first two theses contained Luther’s central idea that God did intend for believers
Early in 16th century Europe all writings were becoming more widely available due to the invention of the printing press, including the Bible and the writings of early church philosopher
Augustine. Martin Luther, a monk and a theology professor at Wittenberg University, shared
Augustine’s two central beliefs that the Bible has ultimate religious authority and that humans cannot reach salvation by their own acts. These beliefs would later become the basis of
Protestantism. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted a paper of 95 theses to the door of the Castle
Church in Wittenberg. This small task became a kickoff to igniting the Reformation, even though that was not the intention. These 95 theses were simple …show more content…
Upon word of absolution, pronounced by the prelist, the penitent sinner received forgiveness of sins. This would require the sinner to make some satisfaction, by saying a number of prayers, fasting, or giving alms. In 1517, the Catholic
THE SOURCE BEHIND MARTIN LUTHER’S 95 THESES
Church came to allow the penitent to substitute the payment of a sum of money for other forms
3
of penalty satisfaction. They even went as far as letting indulgences to be bought for relatives and friends who had died and passed into purgatory. During this time Luther posted “The 95
Theses” the Catholic Church was continuing to sell indulgences, even though they had been banned in Germany. The practice of selling indulgences was very popular with the majority of society who preferred to pay money, say a lot of prayers, and partake in many masses in order to shorten their suffering in Purgatory. The selling of indulgences had become an industry for the
Papacy, so much so that it paid for the building of St. Peters Basilica, one the largest church’s of its time. Selling indulgences was an unbiblical doctrine created by the Catholic Church. …show more content…
During the Middle Ages few people other than monks and priests even knew how to read and write their own language; therefore much trust was given to them for leadership, especially in spiritual matters. Luther’s 95 Theses shocked the Catholic
Church because it had gone unchallenged for nearly 500 years.
Luther’s Thoughts on Selling Indulgences
Luther strongly believed that indulgences could not remove any guilt, and could only induce a false sense of security. (Society, 2015) He was committed to the idea that salvation could only be reached through faith and by divine grace only. Acting on this belief, he wrote
“The 95 Theses,” a list of questions and propositions for debate. In it he wrote about the selling of indulgencies stating, “They preach only human doctrines who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.” (Luther, 2015) He based this off of
THE SOURCE BEHIND MARTIN LUTHER’S 95 THESES the monk, Johann Tetzel, who hawked indulgences with the slogan: “As soon as the coin in the
4
coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” (Duiker, 385)
The first two theses contained Luther’s central idea that God did intend for believers