Martin Luther: Ninety-five Theses

( 1517 ) Commentary by Andrew J. Waskey, Dalton State College

“Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.” - Thesis 1
“The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.” - Thesis 5
“Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error who say that by the pope's indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved.” - Thesis 21
“Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.” - Thesis 37
“Injury is done the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or a longer time is spent on pardons than on this Word.” - Thesis 54
“But he who guards against the lust and license of the pardon-preachers, let him be blessed!” - Thesis 72

Luther nails his theses to the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenburg. (Library of Congress)

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