WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -It detailed Luther’s opposition to what he saw as the Roman Catholic Church’s abuse and corruption by Catholic clergy, who were selling plenary indulgences, which were certificates supposed to reduce the temporal punishment in purgatory for sins committed by the purchasers or their loved ones.

Detailed explanation-2: -On October 31, 1517, Luther wrote a letter to the archbishop protesting the sale of indulgences. This letter also included Luther’s famous “Ninety-Five Theses” that spelled out his criticisms of other church practices.

Detailed explanation-3: -In his theses, Luther condemned the excesses and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, especially the papal practice of asking payment-called “indulgences”-for the forgiveness of sins.

Detailed explanation-4: -He objected not only to the church’s greed but to the very idea of indulgences. He did not believe the Catholic Church had the power to pardon people sins. Rather, Luther thought that salvation could be achieved only through God’s mercy. No one needed to seek or buy salvation through the church.

Detailed explanation-5: -Luther was certainly aware of indulgences before this time, but it was sales techniques used by Tetzel that brought the matter to his attention. Luther began to question the practice of selling indulgences and in response wrote the Ninety-Five Theses.