The 95 Theses: Or Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences

By Martin Luther

After serious deliberation, without consulting any of his colleagues or friends, but following an irresistible impulse, Luther resolved upon a public act of unforeseen consequences. It may be compared to the stroke of the axe with which St. Boniface, seven hundred years before, had cut down the sacred oak, and decided the downfall of German heathenism. He wished to elicit the truth about the burning question of indulgences, which he himself professed not fully to understand at the time, and which yet was closely connected with the peace of conscience and eternal salvation. He chose the orderly and usual way of a learned academic disputation.
Accordingly, on the memorable thirty-first day of October, 1517, which has ever since been celebrated in Protestant Germany as the birthday of the Reformation, at twelve o’clock he affixed (either himself or through another) to the doors of the castle-church at Wittenberg, ninety-five Latin Theses on the subject of indulgences, and invited a public discussion. At the same time he sent notice of the fact to Archbishop Albrecht of Mainz, and to Bishop Hieronymus Scultetus, to whose diocese Wittenberg belonged. He chose the eve of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), because this was one of the most frequented feasts, and attracted professors, students, and people from all directions to the church, which was filled with precious relics.
No one accepted the challenge, and no discussion took place. The professors and students of Wittenberg were of one mind on the subject. But history itself undertook the disputation and defence. The Theses were copied, translated, printed, and spread as on angels’ wings throughout Germany and Europe in a few weeks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CrossReach Publications
• Release date: Jul 7, 2021

Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a German theologian and one of the most influential figures in the Protestant Reformation. Some of Luther’s best-known works are the Ninety-Five Theses, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” and his translation of the Bible into German. 

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THE 95 THESES

Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences

by

Martin Luther

1517

Translated by

PHILIP SCHAFF

New York:

C. Scribner & Co.

1888

From Philip Schaff’s History of the Christian Church Vol. VI

First published in New York 1888 by C. Scribner & Co.

This edition published in Waterford 2022 by CrossReach Publications.

The main body of this work is in the public domain except where any editing, formatting and/or modernization of the language has been done. All other rights are reserved, including the right to reproduce this edition or portions of it in any form whatsoever without prior written consent from the publisher.

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Contents

INTRODUCTION BY PHILIP SCHAFF

The Sale of Indulgences

Luther and Tetzel

October 31st 1517

THE NINETY FIVE THESES

Luther’s Introduction

Thesis 1

Thesis 2

Thesis 3

Thesis 4

Thesis 5

Thesis 6

Thesis 7

Thesis 8

Thesis 9

Thesis 10

Thesis 11

Thesis 12

Thesis 13

Thesis 14

Thesis 15

Thesis 16

Thesis 17

Thesis 18

Thesis 19

Thesis 20

Thesis 21

Thesis 22

Thesis 23

Thesis 24

Thesis 25

Thesis 26

Thesis 27

Thesis 28

Thesis 29

Thesis 30

Thesis 31

Thesis 32

Thesis 33

Thesis 34

Thesis 35

Thesis 36

Thesis 37

Thesis 38

Thesis 39

Thesis 40

Thesis 41

Thesis 42

Thesis 43

Thesis 44

Thesis 45

Thesis 46

Thesis 47

Thesis 48

Thesis 49

Thesis 50

Thesis 51

Thesis 52

Thesis 53

Thesis 54

Thesis 55

Thesis 56

Thesis 57

Thesis 58

Thesis 59

Thesis 60

Thesis 61

Thesis 62

Thesis 63

Thesis 64

Thesis 65

Thesis 66

Thesis 67

Thesis 68

Thesis 69

Thesis 70

Thesis 71

Thesis 72

Thesis 73

Thesis 74

Thesis 75

Thesis 76

Thesis 77

Thesis 78

Thesis 79

Thesis 80

Thesis 81

Thesis 82

Thesis 83

Thesis 84

Thesis 85

Thesis 86

Thesis 87

Thesis 88

Thesis 89

Thesis 90

Thesis 91

Thesis 92

Thesis 93

Thesis 94

Thesis 95

Protestation

INTRODUCTION BY PHILIP SCHAFF

The Sale of Indulgences

St. Peter’s Dome is at once the glory and the shame of papal Rome. It was built over the bones of the