A.D. 1517 · extended material

Luther's Reformation

Is a sinner justified by faith alone, or by faith cooperating with the church's sacramental system?

Historical Context

Luther's protest against the sale of indulgences began as an attempt to reform the church from within, not to break from it.

Controversy

Rome's practice tied assurance of forgiveness to indulgences, penance, and priestly mediation rather than to Christ's finished work received by faith.

Confession / Clarification

Luther recovered justification by faith alone, grounded in Scripture alone: salvation as a gift received, not a transaction administered.

Downstream Influence

Doesn't revisit Nicaea or Chalcedon — it assumes them — but reopens the gospel itself, clearing the ground the Reformed confessions build their covenant theology on.

Further Resources

Article · placeholder Replace this with your first article title One or two sentences describing what the piece covers. Swap the href for the real link. Article · placeholder Add a second resource here Could be a primary source, a sermon, a longer essay, or a recommended book.

Primary source Read the Full Text → The complete Ninety-Five Theses.

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