The Ninety-Five Theses

The Ninety-five Theses, penned by Martin Luther in 1517, sparked the Protestant Reformation by challenging the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences, which Luther viewed as a corruption of true repentance. As a professor of moral theology, he argued that genuine forgiveness requires inner spiritual change rather than mere external rituals. His positions questioned the papal authority over indulgences, directly opposing a 14th-century decree that allowed the Pope to grant forgiveness based on the merits of saints. This document marked a pivotal moment in religious history, leading to significant changes across Europe.