Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses

Throughout the centuries The Roman Catholic Church has come under attack by staunch opponents of its teachings and practices. Martin Luther a German theology professor and monk was one such opponent. Martin Luther forever changed religious history by writing and publishing the Ninety-Five Theses. Three core topics of the Ninety-Five Theses were selling indulgences to finance the building of Saint Peter’s Basilica was wrong, the salvation is through faith and God’s grace, and finally purchasing indulgences gives people a false sense of security. Of all the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church most offensive to Martin Luther was the selling of indulgences. These were certificates the Church awarded to reduce the punishment for people’s sins. These certificates were sold to raise money to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (Timothy C. Hall 2) Martin Luther states:

The revenues of all Christendom are being sucked into this insatiable basilica. The Germans laugh at calling this the common treasure of Christendom. Before long all the churches, palaces, walls and bridges of Rome will be built out of our money. First of all, we should rear living temples, not local churches, and only last of all St. Peter’s, which is not necessary for us. We Germans cannot attend

Luther believed that God’s justice does not require good works and religious rituals to receive salvation. (Cole and Symes 426) Luther believed, “Humans are saved by God’s grace alone, which God offers as an utterly underserved gift to those whom he has predestined for salvation. Because this grace comes to humans through the gift of faith, men and women are “justified” (i.e., made worthy of salvation) by faith alone. (Cole and Symes 426) Luther further believed, “Those whom God has justified through faith will manifest that fact by performing works of piety and charity; but such works are not what saves them. (Cole and Symes