Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were a list of propositions for academic debate that he posted to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. This act sparked the Protestant Reformation and challenged the authority and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Here is an overview of the key points contained in Luther’s 95 Theses:
Criticism of Indulgences
A major focus of the 95 Theses was criticizing the sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church. Indulgences were documents that offered remission of temporal punishment for sins committed. Several theses challenged the idea that the Pope had jurisdiction over souls in purgatory and could grant their early release through indulgences (Theses 5-7, 25-29). Luther argued that only God could grant forgiveness for sins and release from their punishment (Theses 1-2, 41-42). He stated that true repentance involved inner conversion rather than merely purchasing indulgences (Theses 36-37). Luther also criticized the common practice of selling indulgences to raise funds for the Pope (Theses 43, 51-52).
Critique of Papal Power and Treasures
In several theses, Luther directly challenged the theology and authority of the Pope. He argued that the Pope only had power over the Church on earth, not souls in purgatory (Theses 5-6). He criticized the Pope for his great wealth when Jesus lived in poverty (Thesis 86). Luther claimed that the Pope should use his own money to build St. Peter’s basilica rather than taking money from poor believers through indulgences (Thesis 86). He suggested that the Pope should give his own money to replace that taken from indulgence sales (Theses 51-52). Overall, Luther asserted that no Pope had the right to construct new doctrine that contradicted Scripture (Theses 22, 26, 79-80).
Need for Repentance and Faith
Rather than relying on indulgences, Luther emphasized the need for inward repentance and faith in Christ for salvation. He suggested that the Pope should urge Christians to follow Christ by preaching more about His love and grace rather than indulgences (Theses 41-42, 49-50, 62). Luther argued that true repentance involved being sorry for and turning away from sin out of love for God, not just fear of punishment (Theses 36-37, 44-45). He claimed that preachers should focus on encouraging faith in Christ, as only He could grant forgiveness of sins and salvation (Theses 54-58). Overall, Luther stressed looking to Christ rather than indulgences for salvation.
Critique of Greed and Priestly Power
Luther condemned the greed he saw in the selling of indulgences and preaching focused on gaining money. He accused indulgence preachers of only wanting to stir up fear and make money while neglecting more important things like caring for the poor (Theses 41, 45). Luther criticized the practice of preachers keeping half of the money raised from indulgences for themselves (Theses 52, 82). He also condemned the granting of indulgences to those who gave money for religious institutions like hospitals, suggesting it was a means of fundraising based in greed (Theses 81, 86). Overall, Luther asserted that preachers should focus less on money and more on preaching the gospel.
Questioning Purgatory
While Luther accepted the idea of purgatory, he questioned some practices and teachings related to it. As mentioned above, he challenged the belief that the Pope had jurisdiction over souls in purgatory through indulgences (Theses 5-7). Luther suggested there was no Biblical evidence to support the idea that souls in purgatory or hell would be freed after a certain amount of time, as promoted by indulgence preachers (Theses 7-8, 27-29). He also argued that ordinary Christians did not need to worry about souls suffering in purgatory, but should instead focus on caring for the living (Thesis 43). Overall, Luther questioned both the Scripture basis for and practices related to purgatory.
Emphasis on the Priesthood of All Believers
Luther emphasized that all baptized Christians were part of the priesthood rather than just Church officials. He argued that laypeople had the right to preach and interpret Scripture just as priests did (Theses 37, 45). Luther condemned the idea that preachers had to first get special approval from the Pope before preaching the gospel, asserting the great commission was for all (Theses 62, 80). He suggested Church officials should not rob lay Christians of their privilege to freely minister to each other through confession, baptism, partaking in the Eucharist, and burial (Theses 22, 79). Overall, Luther argued that all believers had equal standing before God.
Critique of Scholastic Theology
Luther strongly critiqued scholastic theology, which attempted to employ Aristotelian philosophy and human reasoning to understand Christian theology. He asserted that one could not arrive at an understanding of Scripture through reason and scholarship alone (Theses 1-2, 44). Luther argued that the concepts of repentance, the fear of God, faith in Christ, and God’s grace could not be mastered by reason but only through internal experience (Theses 37, 40, 42). He suggested that such spiritual realities were convoluted rather than clarified by scholastic theology (Theses 41, 44). Overall, Luther argued for theology based on divine revelation rather than human reason alone.
In summary, Luther’s 95 Theses confronted indulgences, papal power, greed, purgatory, and scholastic theology while advocating repentance, faith in Christ, and the priesthood of all believers. This call for reform catalyzed the Protestant Reformation, which transformed Christianity and the course of Western civilization. Though intended only as topics for debate, the 95 Theses ended up sparking a monumental movement in Church history.
