Forgiveness and Luther’s Ninety-five Theses

• Main Author: Estrada, Rui
• Publication Date: 2020
• Other Authors: Toldy, Teresa Martinho
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10284/8470
• topic: Catholic Church; Ecclesiastic power; Forgiveness; Indulgence; Luther; Iglesia Católica; Indulgencia; Lutero; Perdón; Poder eclesiástico

The replacement of God by “officers” with the task of mediating the relationship between human beings and the divinity perverted the notion of forgiveness of the New Testament. Part of the conflict that led to the Reformation resulted from this issue. The first part of this paper will debate the notions of forgiveness and mercy in the New Testament. We will focus in the disappearance of God and on the institutionalisation and growth of the hierarchical power in the Church, which paradoxically results from the possibility of remission – a New Testament perspective different from the vision of the Greek Gods and from God of the Old Testament. The sec-ond part will deal with the Ninety-five theses of Luther, emphasising his vision of forgiveness and grace and the debate on the link between deeds and faith – a viewpoint that represented a critical contrast with the sermons and practices focused on the punishment for the sins.