The 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is being celebrated this year, 2017. Why? Because historians acknowledge and date the beginning of the Reformation to October 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
Over the next couple of months, each day, I will offer a single theses for rumination and consideration. To be sure, some will be less invigorating that others. Still, if you follow along, you will cover each of them over the next 95 days.
Please note that I will be using Timothy Wengert's "95 Theses with Introduction, Commentary, and Study Guide." If you don't have a copy, pick one up, it is an excellent resource.
[The Ninety-Five Theses or] Disputation for Clarifying the Power of Indulgences
Out of love and zeal for bringing truth to light, what is written below will be debated in Wittenberg with the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology and regularly appointed lecturer on these subjects at that place, presiding. Therefore, he requests that those who cannot be present to discuss orally with us will in their absence do so by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
5. The pope neither desires nor is able to remit any penalties except those imposed by his own discretion or that of the canons.
6. The pope cannot remit any guilt except by declaring, and confirming, its remission by God or, of course, by remitting guilt in [legal] cases reserved to himself. In showing contempt regarding such cases, the guilt would certainly remain.
7. God remits guilt of absolutely no one unless at the same time God subjects in all things the one humbled to God's vicar, the priest.
8. The penitential canons were imposed only on the living, and, according to the canons themselves, nothing should be imposed on those about to die.
9. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit, through the pope acts in a kindly manner toward us in papal decrees by always exempting the moment of death and the case of necessity.
9. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit, through the pope acts in a kindly manner toward us in papal decrees by always exempting the moment of death and the case of necessity.
10. Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penances for purgatory.
Luther begins an argument regarding priests using purgatory as a way to impose penances. This, in effect, is an argument against indulgences. You can see again how Luther is beginning a systematic and academic argument against indulgences.
Lord, help us to find hope amidst uncertainty and blessings amidst struggle. Amen.
Luther begins an argument regarding priests using purgatory as a way to impose penances. This, in effect, is an argument against indulgences. You can see again how Luther is beginning a systematic and academic argument against indulgences.
Lord, help us to find hope amidst uncertainty and blessings amidst struggle. Amen.
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