Martin Luther, known as the father of the Protestant reformation, was famously known for his ninety-five long theses that explored the controversies of the Roman-Catholic Church. Martin Luther was an astounding author, able to convert many with his thoughts on paper. He was seen as a prophet and was one of the most popular authors in his time. The 95 Theses was composed in Latin and posted on the doors of the Castle Church of Wittenberg, on October 31st, 1517. Martin Luther uses the ninety-five theses to express his discontent with the church’s sale of indulgences and alert the problem of corruption in the church starting with the Pope. In his ninety-five theses, Martin Luther states, “Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam …show more content…
The church was becoming more and more corrupt by the day. People were not focused on faith but relied on the “middle man” to reach God; in this case the middleman was the pope and the Catholic Church. Martin Luther disagreed with the corrupt system the church was conducting and was motivated to start a reform. The purpose of the ninety-five theses was not to accuse the pope or the Catholic Church but to question the actions being made. For example Martin Luther raises awareness of the following controversial thought, “Christians are to be taught that it would be the pope's wish, as it is his duty, to give of his own money to very many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money, even though the church of St. Peter might have to be sold.” Luther is questioning not only the sales of indulgences but also why is the Pope using the money of the believers rather than his own money to build the church of St.Peters. The ninety-five theses were written in a humble and theoretical tone rather than a reproachful tone. His intentions were not to create chaos but to provoke thinking and to spread religion as God intended. In fact, in his ninety-five theses Luther reassures the believers he is not trying to accuse or punish the church by stating, “God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble