Luther

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Luther's ideas and why they were popular

Luther's reaction to Tetzel, a monk who sold indulgences for 8 years in Wittenberg, was to pin his criticisms on a church door. In October 1517, his 95 Theses were printed and challenge to Tetzel was spreading across Germany. The main points of the Theses were mostly about indulgences, but some of the other points included:

criticisms of selling indulgences

the innocent and simple were manipulated

criticisms of papal taxation

implicit criticism of the Pope for allowing indulgences

debating points about human salvation

Luther saw the Theses as a discussion point and that indulgences were open to discussion. Luther believed that repenting, not money, would remove sins for salvation. However, the publication was seen as an attack on papal authority - Dominicans believed he was attacking the Pope - and their methods of raising money, which were highly popular in Germany. Now there was a growing resentment towards the Church.

The Theses were drawn from Luther's doubts on correct salvation. He was still respectful towards the Papacy and the local spiritual leader, the Archbishop of Mainz.

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