95+Theses+A+Religious+Revolution

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Martin Luther **__



In 1517 Martin Luther, a German monk, published a series of thoughts about the sale of indulgences called the 95 Theses. He opposed the sale of indulgences and his anger towards it became worse when Johann Tetzel was selling indulgences to pay for religious structures in Rome. Tetzel’s slogan was “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings the soul from purgatory springs.” The 95 Theses were important points written in Latin that he thought could be argued academically. The pamphlet was pinned to the door of a church in Wittenburg for other scholars to see and discuss. The pamphlet was taken, copied, and translated to German so the general public had access to the document. By word of mouth the ideas spread rapidly and if some were unable to read the document it was read aloud to large crowds. The purpose of his document was to expose the truths behind the sale of indulgences and get his point across. Without meaning to Martin Luther had changed the world of religion drastically. Other religions started to form, there were changes in existing religions, and it lead to the protestant reformation.  __** Selections from the Ninety Five Theses **__ 



5. The pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties beyond those he has imposed either at his own discretion or by canon law. 20. Therefore, the pope, by his plenary remission of all penalties, does not mean “all” in the absolute sense, but only those imposed by himself. 21. Hence those preachers of Indulgences are wrong when they say that a man is absolved and saved from every penalty by the Pope’s indulgences 27. It is mere human talk to preach that the soul flies out immediately when the money clinks in the collection box. 28. It is certainly possible that when the money clinks in the collection box greed and avarice can increase; but the intercession of the church depends on the will of God alone. 50. Christians should be taught that, if the Pope knew the exactions of the preachers of Indulgences, he would rather have the basilica of St. Peter reduced to ashes than built with the skin, flesh, and bones of his sheep ( the indulgences that so distressed Luther were being sold to raise money for the construction of the new St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.) 81. This wanton preaching of pardons makes it difficult even for learned men to redeem respect due to the Pope from the slanders or at least the shrewd questionings of the laity. 82. For example: “Why does not the Pope empty purgatory for the sake of most holy love and the supreme need of souls? This would be the most righteous of reasons, if he can redeem innumerable souls for sordid money with which to build a basilica, the most trivial of reasons.” 86. Again: “ Since the Pope’s wealth is larger than that of the crassest Crassi of our time, why does he not build this one basilica of St.Peter with his own money, rather than with that of the faithful poor?” 90. To suppress these most conscientious questionings of the laity by authority only, instead of refuting them by reason, is to expose the Church and the Pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christian people unhappy. 94. Christians should be exhorted to seek earnestly to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells. 95. And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.