“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.”

— Martin Luther

Wittenberg, Germany

1517

October 31

He was born in Eisleben, Saxony, present day Germany. His father, Hans Luther, was a copper miner who rose in society and became a successful businessman. Martin was 1 of 10 siblings. At an early age he received a comprehensive training in the Latin language and learned by rote the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, as well as morning and evening prayers. He walked away from his studies of law and chose to live the life of a monk completed with self-denial, extensive study, bible reading, prayer and meditation.

“The dying pays all penalties by their death, are already dead to the canons, and rightly have exemption from them.”

— Number 13 of The 95 Theses

Catholic Sale of Indulgences shown in “A Question to a Mintmaker” Woodcut by Jorg Breu the Elder of Augsburg. CA 1530

In the early 1500’s a German Dominican friar, Johann Tetzel, credited with the phrase “When the coin in the coffer rings the soul from purgatory springs”, was appointed as General Commissioner for selling indulgences. Indulgences were the full or partial remission of temporal punishment for sins after the sinner confessed and received absolution. Under Catholic teaching, every sin must be purified either here on earth or after death in a state called purgatory. These indulgences during medieval times were available for purchase for oneself in this life, banked for oneself in the next to shorten one’s stay in purgatory or for the right amount to bypass purgatory entirely or be applied to one's families and friends already thought to be suffering in “disciplinary fires” in the “realm” between hell and heaven. These indulgences absolved one of past sins and/or released one from purgatory after death. Indulgences were like a promissory note against future sins or a get-out-of jail card free should the need arise. The sales from these indulgences were used by Pope Leo X in Rome to help build Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Initially, these indulgences were handwritten but with the advent of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg these writs could be produced en masse. The pope delegated the responsibility of dispensing indulgences to papal agents and the Castle Church in Wittenberg: Luther’s own was given the rare privilege of granting full remission of sins.

Price of Indulgences

Indulgences were the commutation for money of part of the temporal penalty due for sin.

25 gold florins – Kings, Queens, Archbishops

3 florins - Merchants

¼ florin - the poor

Because of his study of the Bible, Martin Luther’s understanding of sin, forgiveness, and God's favor was in stark contrast with the Church’s position and the zeitgeist. The doctrine of justification, or salvation, by faith and not by works, or penance, remained a central pillar of Luther’s teachings. Scriptural principles that guided him were ones that spoke of God’s favor not being earned, that it is granted through grace or undeserved kindness to people of faith, and what happens to sin when someone dies.

On October 31, 1517, at the Wittenberg Castle Church, the people inside suddenly heard a loud thudding sound at the wooden doors of entry. It was not the sound of a humble request for entry by a parishioner, nor the respectful knock of townsfolk or clergy conducting spiritual business, or the desperate request for mercy, penitence, or sanctuary. It was the dull thud of a hammer striking the door and left behind crucified into the wood was the document: “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” or, as it is known by its moniker, “95 Theses”.

Luther's thesis nailed to the church door in Wittenberg. [Engraved by Johann Leonhard Raab, from a drawing by F. Lessing. New York: T. Whittaker. Location: Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA

“There are two days in my calendar: This day and that Day.”

— Martin Luther

“Christians should be taught, he who gives to the poor, or lends to a needy man, does better than buying indulgence”

— Number 43 of The 95 Theses

1517 Nuremberg printing of Ninety-five Theses - housed at the Berlin State Library
Link to 95 theses

Martin Luther mailed a copy to his archbishop, Albrecht of Mainz. His intention was discussion and an address of his concerns about the monetization of faith and how to reform the church. He wanted ecclesiastical and theological reform. However, between the printing press and social media (the talk of the country), the 95 Theses went viral. His indignance had come to a boiling point and this act is considered to be the trigger of the protestant reformation. These ideas were not new and had been raised before and advanced, but Martin Luther put it to paper in Latin.

“Docendi sunt christiani, quod, qui videt egenum et neglecto eo dat pro veniis, non indulgentias Pape sed indignattionem dei sibi vendicat.”

— Number 45 of The 95 Theses

Christians should be taught, he who sees his neighbor in distress, and, nevertheless, buys indulgence, is not partaking in the Pope's pardons, but in the anger of God. Number 45.

95 Theses in Latin

Relief of Martin Luther reading the Bible

This man who was a scholar became a heretic and most wanted in four years. At the Edict of Worms he was declared an outlaw and a heretic and permission was given for anyone to kill him without consequence.

If you would like to read more about Martin Luther and his story, please feel free to click on the references below.