how did Martin Luther justify his position with the 95 theses?

Question

his proof
thanks

Answer 1

On 31 October 1517, Luther wrote to Albert, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, protesting the sale of indulgences in his episcopal territories and inviting him to a disputation on the matter. He enclosed the 95 Theses, a copy of which, according to tradition, he posted the same day on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Luther objected to a saying attributed to Johann Tetzel, a papal commissioner for indulgences: "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs" and he insisted that since pardons were God's alone to grant, those who claimed indulgences, absolved buyers from all punishments and granted them salvation were in error. Christians, he said, must not slacken in following Christ on account of such false assurances.

The 95 Theses were quickly translated into German, printed, and widely copied, making the controversy one of the first in history to be fanned by the printing press. Within two weeks, the theses had spread throughout Germany; within two months throughout Europe. In contrast, the response of the papacy was painstakingly slow.

Cardinal Albert of Hohenzollern, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, with the consent of Pope Leo X, was using part of the indulgence income to pay his bribery debts, and did not reply to Luther’s letter; instead, he had the theses checked for heresy and forwarded to Rome.

Leo responded over the next three years, “with great care as is proper”, by deploying a series of papal theologians and envoys against Luther. Perhaps he hoped the matter would die down of its own accord, because in 1518 he dismissed Luther as "a drunken German" who "when sober will change his mind".

The justification that Luther had now was that all of Europe knew that the practice of indulgences were wrong. No where in the Bible did it tell of such a practice. Luther wanted everyone to know the Bible so when he translated it into German and it was printed thanks to the new printing press; the secrets of the Church were no longer secrets. No longer was the population going to follow blindly what the Pope said. Once a person wakes from his ignorance and gains knowledge it is difficult to keep them ignorant.

Answer 2

No attempt at justification was made in the 95 Theses that were nailed to the cathedral door. They were only a solicitation to open dialog with the Church.

Answer 3

They all dealt with issues that were wrong in the Catholic Church such as the big one being paying for indulgences. He wanted them corrected not start a new religion, but that is what happened. He was a German Catholic Monk.