Luther's Ninety-Five Theses

Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, written in 1517, were a formal list of criticisms by Martin Luther against certain practices of the Catholic Church, especially the sale of indulgences—payments to reduce punishment for sins. Luther argued that salvation came through faith alone, not monetary payments, and challenged the authority of the pope over one's spiritual matters. His theses sparked widespread debate, leading to the Protestant Reformation, a movement that ultimately changed Christianity and Western society by emphasizing personal faith and questioning church authority.