Philosophy
In 1517, Martin Luther posted his “The Ninety-Five Thesis” at Wittenberg. It is a protest, especially, against the sale of indulgences for the remission of sins – whether here on earth or in the purgatory. God alone grants forgiveness to a person who made a genuine contrition. I disagree with Luther’s Theses on three (3) grounds.
First, it seems contrary to logic that Luther defied Catholic doctrines (Theses 7ff), which he himself tried to embrace. He believed in the papacy, priests, and most Catholic teachings, except of course, on grounds different from his own observation and knowledge. As evidence of Luther’s allegiance to Catholicism, he said: “The pope does very well when he grants remission to souls in purgatory. (Theses 26).” Whereas, in another instance, he said, “We say on the contrary that papal indulgences cannot remove [] sins as far as guilt is concerned” (Theses 78). Luther did not know that the Catholic Religion is “Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abomination of the Earth” (King James Version, Revelation 17:5; Soriano). He believed in Catholicism more than the untarnished teachings of Christ!
Second: Luther, for the most part, ignorantly based his Theses on the counterfeit doctrines of the Catholic Church. He referred to the Catholic belief on the “purgatory” 15 times in his Theses. “Purgatory” does not exist! As a proof, whenever a person searches digitally the various biblical translations – even the Catholic Bible – “purgatory” was just a figment of an evil imagination! Just like “Limbo,” a centuries old Roman Catholic concept considered as the home for unbaptized children , is simply one of the many Catholic hoaxes . I would rather believe God than men! As Saint Paul said to Christian, even they, or an angel from heaven, preach another Good News contrary to the original Gospel, “let that person be under God's curse!” (Today’s New International Version, Galatians 1:8). Luther, thus, was just a blind follower and reformer to a blind guide (The American Standard Version, Matthew 15:14).
Third, Luther mentioned many times over the remission of sins. He relied on the remission of sins based on a papal authority (Theses 5) by “showing that it has been remitted by God” (whatever that means) (Theses 6). Contrariwise, forgiveness comes from God and Jesus Christ. Yet, Jesus Christ himself taught us to forgive other people so that we, too, will be forgiven (New International Reader’s Version, Matthew 6:12; II Corinthians 2:10). If a person does not know how to forgive his/her transgressors, why should God forgive him/her? Jesus Christ, Saint Stephen and other people, for instance, asked that God forgive their transgressors for their ignorance and unbelief (Douay-Rheims Version, I Timothy 1:13; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Mark 11:25-26). Luther focused mostly on the pope and a person’s contrite soul who is asking for forgiveness.
The three points above are my refutation to Luther’s claims. May I add that I am not making any ad hominem fallacy if I call Luther as another version of a bogus “protestant.” This is because he considered himself “Reverend Father” and that he is just the same as other religious and spiritual leaders who even use the title “Most Reverend” shamefully. The word “reverend” is used only once in Psalms 111:9 to refer to the Father in the Third Heaven. Religiously/Spiritually speaking, Jesus Christ forewarned people that the word “Father” is reserved only for God the Father (Hebrew Names Version, Matthew 23:9). As such, Christ commanded us to call one another as brothers and sisters (Analytical-Literal Translation, Matthew 23:8). Like most of the false teaching of Catholicism, Luther is no different! Did anyone in the Bible called Saint Peter Pope, Father and/or Most Reverend? Definitely, not!
As a concluding remarks, let the Word of God speaks for itself: We ought not to believe every spirit, but try them, whether they are of God (King James Version, I John 4:1) – using only the Truth stated in the Bible!
Works Cited
Castellano, Daniel J. Analysis of the Wittenberg Theses. 2001. ArcaneKnowledge. Web. 21 March 2013. <http://www.arcaneknowledge.org/catholic/wittenberg.htm>.
Luther, Martin. Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences. 1517/2008. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Web. 21 March 2013. <http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/274/pg274.html>.
Ratzinger, Joseph. Metro.Co.UK. 5 October 2006. Associated Newspapers Limited. Web. 21 March 2013. <http://metro.co.uk/2006/10/05/pope-limbo-does-not-exist-256834/>.
Soriano, Eliseo F. Scrutinizing the World’s Greatest Religions. 1 February 2010. esoriano: The Official Blog of the Presiding Minister, Members of the Church of God, International www.mcgi.org. Web. 21 March 2013. <http://esoriano.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/scrutinizing-the-worlds-greatest-religions/>.
—. The Roman Catholic Church is Not The True Church of God. 17 July 2007. Brother Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. Web. 21 March 2013.
