Ninety Five Theses, Outline Example

Introduction

Ninety five Theses

• October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed protest against the sale of indulgences to the church door of Wittenberg,
• Protest contains 95 Theses
• First theses
• Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, in saying “Repent ye”, etc., intended that the whole life of believers should be penitence.
• Begins Protestant Reformation.

Indulgences

• Papal practice for asking payment referred to as “indulgences”.
• Payment for the forgiveness of sin.
• Purpose of Theses
• Luther judges the extravagances and corruption in the Roman Catholic Church.

Ninety Five Theses Translated

• Theses translated into other languages and districted across Europe.
• Copy sent to Rome.
• Pope Leo X excommunicates Luther from Catholic Church

Refusal to recant

• Luther refuses to recant the ninety five theses
• Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Germany issues permission for anyone to kill Luther without consequences.
• Luther protected by Prince Frederick.
• Message of Ninety Five Theses
• Martin Luther’s strive for the truth and from desire to bring it about.
• Defends the word of the Lord against the actions of the Roman Catholic Church.

Questions?

• Was this the first letter nailed to the church by Martin Luther?
• Was this his last or first attempt in communicating to the Roman Catholic Church on indulgences and his belief that they should not exist?
• What was the rationale for nailing the theses to the Wittenberg Church?
  1. Common practice?
  2. Public Place?
  3. Intended for Priests in the Church or public as well?
  4. Did Luther remain in the Catholic Church after being excommunicated by the Pope?