Lutheran reformation: The indulgence controversy

What?

• The remission of so many years in purgatory.
• Living would do good works which would in return take years off purgatroy for their departed loved ones.

Pope's authority

• Authority to do this was based upon TREASURY OF MERITS.
• Pope distributed `SURPLUS MERITS` which belonged to the saints.
• unclear whether the power of remission of sins could be excercised on behalf of the dead.

• Early 1517 Luther published theory that a man can only be saved by total dependecen upon Grace of God.
• September 1517 Luther wrote nincety seven theses against Duns Scotus and William Occum.
• 1517 wrote ninety five theses against indlulgences; intention was not to chalenge Church- only circulated around friends.
• One of readers published theses, printed editions appeared in leipzig, Madgebourg and Basle.
• By May 1518 Luther was convinced God's justice was a gift given by God to man out of grace.

• Tetzel viewed Luther's these as heretical.
• Congregration persuaded breifed its representative in Rome to obtain condemnation of Luther as a heretic.
• Luther defended position in a series of publications `resolutions` in sermons.