Ninety-five Theses
Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgence, better known as Ninety-five Theses, is a list of propositions for scholarly debate written by Martin Luther in 1517. It is a document of vital importance since it laid the foundations of Protestantism and initiated the split in the Catholic Church.
The theses proposed by Luther were opposed to certain activities and attitudes of the Catholic Church with which he disagreed and which he labeled as corruption. An example is the sale of plenary indulgences.
Divine salvation was easier for the rich, even if they did wrong or were corrupt, since with their money they bought forgiveness and it was not necessary to be penitent or devout.
Martin Luther is opposed to the Pope being able to grant penance to the deceased, since they are freed from canon laws, and that it should be the deeds in life and good deeds that decide whether a person enters heaven or hell, and not the payment of a penance.
This edition of the book Ninety-five Theses is based on the translation by Adolph Spaeth, L.D. Reed, Henry Eyster Jacobs, et al., Trans. and is from the Philadelphia edition: A. J. Holman Company, 1915.
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Copyright note. Ninety-five Theses by Martin Luther is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading Ninety-five Theses in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 21
- Reading time
- 23 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1517
- Language
- Latin
509 years later, still timely
Why Read Ninety-five Theses in 2026?
A concise call for accountability that shook institutions. Disagreement, done publicly and precisely.
Today's connection
When reform debates flare—finance, authority, transparency—these pages model courage, clarity, and the discipline to argue specifics, not vibes.
Dispute as craft
Reasoned protest, line by line.
Accountable power
No office above critique.
Consequences
Ideas can move history.
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About the author
Martin Luther
Reform in plain words; conscience, scripture, and power argued in public view.
