The Ninety-Five Theses Luther nailed to the church door in Wittenberg were largely a criticism of the practice of selling indulgences. By the late fifteenth century, this practice was extremely common, and provided individuals with an easy solution to penance for sin. Buy an indulgence, and have all your sins forgiven and your soul cleansed.
Luther believed that the soul could be cleansed through true repentance, but that the Pope could not grant absolution through the purchase of indulgences, because absolution could only be granted by God.
As Luther went on to develop his theology in the months and years following the posting of the Ninety-Five Theses in October, 1518, it became clear that scripture was at the center of his theology and his understanding of God.
Luther criticized the long held belief in the value of good works for insuring salvation, believing instead that salvation could come through faith alone, as a gift from God. He believed that all men should read the word of God for themselves, rather than be taught of God by a priest. Good works do have a place in Luther's theology as part of a proper Christian life; however, they do not insure salvation.
Luther also criticized the sacraments of the church, believing many of them to be unbiblical. He supported marriage for priests, questioned papal power, and encouraged virtuous living. He questioned the place of Aristotle's philosophy in both theology and the universities.
He sought to put in place social systems to eliminate begging, encouraged honest living and hard work. Luther did not originally desire to create a new church. He was, in a great many ways, a devout Catholic. He sought, originally, to reform the church. Only when that was clearly impossible did he take steps to create a new church.
For more information, and to read many of Luther's writings, please see http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text...
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