an email I got from a Reformed friend
It is my hope that you are having a blessed Reformation Day.
Reformed or not, this is a great day in Church history to mark.
Sola scriptura
Sola fide
Sola gratia
Solus Christus
Soli Deo gloria
Here are four of the ninety-five theses.
THE NINETY-FIVE THESES (A.D. 1517)
Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, Commonly Known as the 95 Theses, By Dr. Martin Luther
62.
63. It is right to regard this treasure as most odious, for it makes the first to be the last.
94.
95. And let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace.
Christians should be exhorted to be zealous to follow Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hells; The true treasure of the church is the Holy gospel of the glory and the grace of God.
Part of Luther's objection to indulgences was economic, he though the Augustinians should have a cut. How come people take the perspective of an oath breaker so seriously? If I divorced my wife would anyone here take me seriously when I lectured about the sanctity of marriage? Luther did that, and by doing so placed his will over an oath to God.
Yeah I do Ridge, I'll have to dig it up though. Most people believe Luther started the Reformation with the intent of a split, this isn't so. He had some legit grivences (particular to Germany). He wanted REFORM. Once he started down the path of rebellion though, rebellion grew and things got hairyer, the raid on the convent, kidnapping nuns etc. The more he sinned the more strident he became. In spite of this he almost reconcilled with Rome several times, once soon before his death. It's late, I'll dig through my books for the citation.
Indulgences exist to this day. The order selling the indulgences kept a bit of it, this allowed them to expand (new monestaries, more priests).