The seeds of reformation were sown when a respected professor and priest posted his thoughts on a church door in the town of Wittenburg, Germany. Martin Luther posted his "95 Theses" on the door of the Castle Church on Oct. 31, 1517, in hopes that people coming to church for All Saints Day mass would take notice, said Cindy Wesley, a professor of religion at Lambuth University.
Luther, a devout Catholic priest and monk, wanted to debate certain practices of the Catholic Church, she said.
He wanted to talk about something that was happening in present-day Germany — the selling of indulgences, she said.
"An indulgence is a certificate from the pope. This kind of indulgence was sold for the remission of sins," Wesley said.
"If someone bought one, they could do so to have the sins of a loved one or themselves forgiven. Luther was opposed to the sale of indulgences for the remission of sins."
SIC: JS/USA
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