Martin Luther’s 95 Theses
In 1517 Martin Luther came into conflict with the church over the issue of indulgences. Indulgences were a release from penance for a sin confessed. Instead of doing penance for sin a person could donate money to charity or other good cause and be forgiven of sin. Priests were soon offering indulgences for those in purgatory as well. Those who wished their loved ones out of purgatory need only give money to the church and their loved ones would be forgiven their sins and be released into heaven. Luther strongly disagreed with this practice and the 95 theses he writes criticizes the practice.
Luther believed that the idea of indulgences supported the idea that one could be saved through good works and that it denied God’s grace and mercy. Luther believed that it was through the grace and mercy of God alone that led to a person’s salvation.[i] He uses theses numbers 18, 37, 42, 54, 58, 62, 68, and 77 to enforce his opinion that nothing is above the grace of God. Number 68 clearly states, “Nevertheless, they are not to be compared with the grace of god and the compassion shown in the Cross.”[ii] He also believed that the church was using indulgences as part of a doctrine of raising their ‘treasury of merits’ that would earn them salvation but it was causing greed and taking away from people living righteous lifestyles. If one only needed to give some money to the church and be forgiven, then why should they live a godly lifestyle? Theses numbers: 1 and 3 state that God calls for all of his people to repent and go penance. Numbers 35, 40-41, 43-45 and 49 talks about the dangers of man relying on indulgences to save them instead of penance. Number 44 reads, “Because, by works of love, love grows and a man becomes a better man; whereas, by indulgences, he does not become a better man, but only escapes certain penalties.”[iii] Numbers 50, 51, 56-57, 60, 62-67 talk about the corruption of the indulgences on the church. He says in number 65 and 66, “Therefore the treasures of the gospel are nets which, in former times, they used to fish for men of wealth. The treasures of the indulgences are the nets which today they use to fish for the wealth of men.”[iv]
Luther’s views were considered contrary to the beliefs and teachings of the church. He was told to recant these beliefs and he refused. Luther did not care if he upset the Pope or the church. He believed in his 95 theses and the belief that indulgences were wrong. Luther started his own movement based on these beliefs and started a religious reformation.
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