Martin Luther's 95 Thesis

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Martin Luther's 95 Theses Martin Luther (1483-1546) was born in Mansfield, Germany. Raised in a fairly wealthy family, from 1501-1505 he attended the University of Erfurt. The University of Erfurt was considered the best German extended schooling, most likely the reason his father chose the school for him. During his time there, he studied mostly law, theology, and medicine. As the legend goes, Luther got caught in a storm on July 2nd , 1505 near Stotterheim when coming back to Erfurt. The lightning struck near him and the pressure it created threw Luther off his feet. They say he then swore to Saint Anne that he would become a monk. Despite his father's anger and disgust, he entered the Black Monastery in Erfurt and took the monk's vow (1506).

In 1507, Luther was ordained a priest and began more studies in theology. During his studies, he came across a slogan, "Ad Fontes" which meant "Back to the source."

With this new inspiration, he started studying the Bible in original Hebrew and Greek format. Luther then became familiar with the many the flaws, as he saw it, of religion. He noticed that many people had stopped going to confession, preferring to go to other towns and buy indulgences. After reading an instruction manual on indulgence buying, he wrote a letter to his church superiors strongly objecting this act. Included in this letter was his famous 95 Theses. On Oct. 31, 1517, he hammered his theses to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenburg.

Luther's 95 Theses had created a stir in the safety of religion. The Roman Church objected this source of evil and wanted him burned at the stake. Although, humanists, princes, and even a few bishops passionately approved his writing. All in all, Martin Luther only wanted...