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Handout #149 |
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Luther's ninety-five theses (31 October 1517 A.D.) |
| Luther published his theses on the eve of All
Saints and All Souls days, when many Christians wanted to acquire
indulgences for their dead.
1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, in saying 'Repent ye, etc., meant the whole life of the faithful to be an act of repentance. 4. And so penance remains while self hate remains (i.e. true interior penitence); namely right up the entrance into the kingdom of heaven. 8. The canons of penance are imposed only on the living, and nothing ought to be imposed on the dying in accordance with them. 27. Those who assert that a soul straightway flies out (purgatory) as a coin tinkles in the collection-box, are preaching an invention of man. 50. Christians must be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the preachers of indulgences he would rather have St Peter's basilica reduced to ashes that built with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep. 62. The true measure of the church is the sacrosanct gospel of the glory and grace of God. From H. Bettenson (ed.), Documents of the Christian Church, OUP 2 1963-p.186-91. |
