The ninetyfive theses by martin luther october 31, 1517, wittenberg, germany 4 preachers do not distribute them freely but only gather them. Here they are, all of the martin luther 95 theses, posted on the church door in wittenberg, germany, october 31, 1517. The dramatic perhaps legendary episode of the nailing of the ninetyfive theses to the door of the schlo. This word cannot be understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, that is, confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy. His 1517 document, 95 theses, sparked the protestant reformation. Out of love and concern for the truth, and with the object of eliciting it, the following heads will be the subject of a public discussion at wittenberg under the presidency of the reverend father, martin luther, augustinian, master of arts and sacred theology, and duly appointed lecturer on these subjects in that place. Martin luther 1 the ninety five theses the common title to his disputation on the power and efficacy of indulgences is more widely associated with luther s name than anything else he wrote. When jesus said repent he meant that believers should live a whole life repenting 2. The ninetyfive theses by martin luther october 31, 1517. Sources for and against the posting of the ninetyfive theses pdf. The 95 theses out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate it, the reverend father martin luther, master of arts and sacred theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Pdf while martin luthers 95 theses engage theologians worldwide, little is made of the 97 theses. Inwards penitence must be accompanied with a suitable change in lifestyle. The ninetyfive theses or disputation on the power and efficacy of indulgences is a list of.
Luther posted his theses on the castle door at wittenberg on either october 31 or november 1, 1517. The ninetyfive theses of martin luther theological. Nor are they the merits of christ and the saints, for, even without the pope, the latter always work grace for the inner man and the cross, death, and hell for the outer man. Because the image of martin luther nailing the theses to the door of wittenbergs castle church has stood for the actual beginning of the reformation, discussion. Martin luther 95 theses disputation of doctor martin luther on the power and efficacy of indulgences october 31, 1517 out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at wittenberg, under the presidency of the reverend father martin luther. Martin luther was a german theologian who challenged a number of teachings of the roman catholic church. Priest and scholar martin luther approaches the door of the castle church in wittenberg, germany, and nails a piece of paper to it containing the 95. When our lord and master jesus christ said, repent mt 4. This booklet contains three documents from the very dawn of the.