Makayla Horton. Dr. Skaggs. World Civ. Ii. 1 February 2017.

Makayla Horton Dr. Skaggs World Civ. II 1 February 2017 Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses The Ninety-Five Theses were written by Martin Luther in 1517. At the time of writing, Luther had devoted his life to Jesus Christ, and had become a monk. In his Theses, he expressed the idea that someone must be completely willing to commit penance in order for it to be legitimate, and Luther gave several reasons why he was critical of the sale of indulgences. He challenged the authority of the pope and other powerful positions of the church multiple times throughout his writings. Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses writing was very important in igniting the Protestant Reformation. Luther declared many statements about the nature of penance. Above all,†¦show more content†¦With indulgences, evil people may be able to buy indulgences and believe themselves to be forgiven, while poor people may not afford indulgences and believe they are cursed with sin, despite their behavior. Bishops are more obligated to selling indulgences, while th eir sole purpose should be to prevent men from teaching their personal dreams. Indulgences were a way for the rich to become more wealthy, while the poor may be swapping the purchase of necessities for the purchase of indulgences, believing this would save them and their loved ones from condemnation. Luther stated both that â€Å"Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better deed than he who buys indulgences,† and that â€Å"Christians are to be taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives money for indulgences, does not buy papal indulgences but God’s wrath.† Luther emphasized that good people were better than people who sought to purchase indulgences. In many of his thesis, Luther affirmed that indulgences are not neccessary for forgiveness and that forgiveness is not granted with the purchase of indulgences. He shares his fear that those who buy indulgences would neglect to repent and fear Go d. These people would be convicted. As for the dead, Luther believed that your debts were erased. Those in Purgatory needed to find love, and this would reduce their sins and punishments. Luther also disapproved of priests who â€Å"act ignorantly