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4.6: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

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    Martin Luther’s 95 Theses

    10.jpg

    Artist: Martin Luther (textual artifact)
    Medium: Ink on paper
    Art Historical Time Period: German Renaissance (1517)

    Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were a list of propositions for debate that criticized the Catholic Church’s practices, particularly the sale of indulgences. Luther nailed his theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
    The 95 Theses are important because they challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to significant religious, political, and social changes in Europe. Luther's actions encouraged people to question established doctrines and seek religious reforms. His stand is a moral act of conscience and resistance against what he saw as corruption, contributing to a movement that reshaped Western Christianity.

    Vocabulary

    • Indulgences Documents that claimed to reduce punishment for sins.
    • Protestant Reformation A 16th-century movement for religious reform.

    • Theses Statements for debate or argument.

    Student Authors

    • Ana Fuentes ’22 and Oscar Jimenez ’26

    Citations

    • Bainton, R. H. (1950). Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. Abingdon Press.

    • Lindberg, C. (2010). The European Reformations. Wiley-Blackwell.

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    4.6: Martin Luther’s 95 Theses is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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