The Ninety-five Theses (ePub)

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, an era that forever changed the landscape of Christianity. Born in Eisleben, Saxony, he was an Augustinian monk, theologian, and university professor at Wittenberg. His profound discontent with the corruption he perceived in the Catholic Church led to his writing of 'The Ninety-five Theses' in 1517, a document that challenged the Church's sale of indulgences and questioned the foundations of its authority. This act is often symbolically linked to the start of the Reformation. Luther's translation of the Bible into the vernacular German instead of Latin made the scriptures more accessible to the common people, fostering a wave of religious enlightenment and literacy. Luther's literary style was marked by directness and clear, forceful argumentation, often infused with a robust wit. His works encompass a vast array of theological treatises, sermons, and essays. His commitment to salvation through faith alone and the authority of the scriptures became the doctrinal cornerstone for many Protestant traditions. Beyond his 95 Theses, Martin Luther's other influential works include 'On the Bondage of the Will' and 'Luther's Large Catechism' which continued to shape theological discourse and exert a profound influence on Christian thought and Western culture.