The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
usually identified as The Ninety-Five Theses, was written by Martin
Luther in 1517. The importance of Luther’s 95 theses is immense as
this is generally considered as the primary catalyst and founder of
the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation, which broke the hold
of the Catholic Church throughout Europe. The document remonstrates
against the church’s exploitations, specifically with respect to
indulgences (dispensations for past or even future sins that
promised to reduce or even eliminate one's stay in purgatory).
A research
paper is, in essence, a formal written report required of
a student during an academic term, to conduct independent research
into a topic and write a description and analysis of the findings of
that research. Often students are required to write a term paper on
the importance of Luther’s 95 theses. Here are some guidelines on
how to write on the importance of Luther’s 95 theses.
First off you need to begin by informing the reader about Martin
Luther. You need to, very briefly, reflect on his early education,
his brought-up, and then on becoming a Christian Monk. This is
particularly important as this will highlight some of the reasons
for the kind of monk he was, and bring to light his later works,
mainly the ninety five theses.
With respect to the importance of Luther’s 95 theses, you should go
on to explain the causes and grounds on which Martin Luther
developed this document. You should discuss the earlier conditions
of the Church and its deceptive preaching linked with the sale of
the indulgences. You could talk about the reasons to what basically
influenced Luther to react so indignantly. Was it because of his
belief in ‘justification by faith alone’? Or was it because of the
extravagant false teachings and the worldly corruption of the
Church? Or was it because he wanted his own legacy?
You could highlight the importance of Luther’s 95
theses by showing its impact on the rest of the world,
such as, the decline of feudalism and the rise of commercialism, and
how he emphasized on equality being vital for social order. You
could go on to discuss the publication and printing processes of the
document and relate that to the importance of Luther’s 95
theses in how profoundly the printing press in that era
affected the distribution of Luther’s ideas.
To conclude your term paper you should give your own opinion and
stance on the importance of Luther’s 95 theses and evaluate its role
and accomplishments in shaping history and the contemporary world.
|
