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Protestantism and Martin Luther (Part 2)
The 95 Theses
It was after Luther’s return from Rome that he encountered a
man by the name of Tetzel, who was selling indulgences on behalf of the pope.
Luther, though still a papist of the straitest sort, was filled
with horror at the blasphemous assumptions of the indulgence mongers. Many
of his own congregation had purchased certificates of pardon, and they soon
began to come to their pastor, confessing their various sins, and expecting
absolution, not because they were penitent and wished to reform, but on the
ground of the indulgence. Luther refused them absolution, and warned them that
unless they should repent and reform their lives, they must perish in their
sins. In great perplexity they repaired to Tetzel with the complaint that their
confessor had refused his certificates; and some boldly demanded that their
money be returned to them. The friar was filled with rage. He uttered the most
terrible curses, caused fires to be lighted in the public squares, and declared
that he “had received an order from the pope to burn all heretics who presumed
to oppose his most holy indulgences.”—D’Aubigne, b. 3, ch. 4.
Luther now entered boldly upon his work as a champion of the
truth. His voice was heard from the pulpit in earnest, solemn warning. He set
before the people the offensive character of sin, and taught them that it is
impossible for man, by his own works, to lessen its guilt or evade its
punishment. Nothing but repentance toward God and faith in Christ can save the
sinner. The grace of Christ cannot be purchased; it is a free gift. He
counseled the people not to buy indulgences, but to look in faith to a
crucified Redeemer. He related his own painful experience in vainly seeking by
humiliation and penance to secure salvation, and assured his hearers that it
was by looking away from himself and believing in Christ that he found peace and
joy.
As Tetzel continued his traffic and his impious pretensions,
Luther determined upon a more effectual protest against these crying abuses. An
occasion soon offered. The castle church of Wittenberg possessed many relics,
which on certain holy days were exhibited to the people, and full remission of
sins was granted to all who then visited the church and made confession.
Accordingly on these days the people in great numbers resorted thither. One
of the most important of these occasions, the festival of All Saints, was
approaching. On the preceding day, Luther, joining the crowds that were already
making their way to the church, posted on its door a paper containing
ninety-five propositions against the doctrine of indulgences. He declared
his willingness to defend these theses next day at the university, against all
who should see fit to attack them.
His propositions attracted universal attention. They were read
and reread, and repeated in every direction. Great excitement was created in
the university and in the whole city. By these theses it was shown that the
power to grant the pardon of sin, and to remit its penalty, had never been
committed to the pope or to any other man. The whole scheme was a farce—an
artifice to extort money by playing upon the superstitions of the people—a
device of Satan to destroy the souls of all who should trust to its lying
pretensions. It was also clearly shown that the gospel of Christ is the most
valuable treasure of the church, and that the grace of God, therein revealed, is
freely bestowed upon all who seek it by repentance and faith. . . .
Luther’s teachings attracted the attention of thoughtful minds
throughout all Germany. From his sermons and writings issued beams of light
which awakened and illuminated thousands. A living faith was taking the place
of the dead formalism in which the church had so long been held. The people
were daily losing confidence in the superstitions of Romanism. The barriers of
prejudice were giving way. The word of God, by which Luther tested every
doctrine and every claim, was like a two-edged sword, cutting its way to the
hearts of the people. Everywhere there was awakening a desire for spiritual
progress. Everywhere was such a hungering and thirsting after righteousness as
had not been known for ages. The eyes of the people, so long directed to
human rites and earthly mediators, were now turning in penitence and faith to
Christ and Him crucified.
The Great Controversy, pp. 128-133
Go to Martin Luther, part 3,
“Summons From Rome” . . .
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