The diffusion of the Disputation of Martin Luther on the power of indulgences (Latin title the '' Disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum ''), more known like the Ninety-five theses , started the Réforme in Germany. The document would have been placarded with the door of the church of Wittemberg (today in Saxony-Anhalt) the October 31st 1517. If the authenticity of the document is not disputed, the reality of the event itself been the subject today of debate among the historians.

Contents of the 95 theses

The 95 theses relate mainly to one of the key questions for Luther: growing practice of the Indulgence S by the Catholic church, authorized by the pope to finance the construction of the Basilica Saint-Pierre of Rome. The drafting of the document would mainly have been inspired by the abuses the monk Johann Tetzel, with whom Luther will maintain a controversy during the year 1518. The original title of the 95 theses is Martini Lutheri disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum .

Diffusion and consequences

Luther wrote its 95 theses like support for a debate, a “theological Dispute” , a current practice at the time. Conceived to be diffused in a restricted circle of theologists, their success would have surprised Luther itself. If posting on the door of the church of Wittemberg is not certain, it on the other hand is acquired that Luther forwarded some of the copies to friends and religious dignities of which the Archevêque Albrecht of Mainz.

The 95 theses then printed in great quantity and are widely diffused. In front of their repercussion, the religious authorities however hesitate to condemn Luther. This last continues to discuss with the catholic theologists such as for example Johann Eck at the time of the famous argument of Leipzig in 1519.

The 95 theses are finally condemned the June 15th 1520 by the bubble Exsurge Domine of the pope Leon X. Luther, then openly in conflict with the Church, is excommunicated with the beginning of the year following.

Discusses on the authenticity of the document

The posting of the 95 theses to the door of the church of Wittenberg is mentioned for the first time by Philippe Melanchthon more than twenty years afterwards. Melanchthon which arrives in 1518 at Wittemberg however could not be itself pilot of the event.

In front of the absence of contemporary testimonys, the historian Erwin Iserloh launches the controversy in 1961 by concluding that the event forever take place. Others like Heinrich Bornkamm and Kurt Aland consider that the practice is sufficiently current at the time so that it was logical for Luther to post his 95 theses on the door of the church.

Additional details

External bonds

• a translation in French on the site of the German evangelic Church
• October 31st, 1517: 95 theses of Luther on the site of Herodote.net, used to write this article

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