Warfield (from class notes): "The strength and purity of the evangelicalism of the Theses is manifested in nothing more decisively than in their clear proclamation of the dependence of the soul for salvation on the mere grace of God alone."
I agree with Warfield. Luther's evangelical leanings seem to show through in theses such as 36, “any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt...” Another move away from traditional Catholicism can be in Luther's treatment of the pope. While he still supports the pope and carefully avoids an outright criticsim against him, Luther's tone seems to gain an edge near the end of the document as he balances the pope's approval of the indulgence racket (thesis 73) with a call to protect “holy love and truth” (thesis 74). He gives voice to “the shrewd questions of the laity” in theses 81-90, and claims that these “very sharp questions” need to be answered reasonably and not merely hushed up.
While there was a long way to go for Luther to actually reject the pope's authority, he showed in the theses that a man's hope is to be placed in the Cross of Christ and his repentance and contrition are sufficient means to be assured of forgiveness. The pope's indulgence could not forgive sin, but only remove penalties which the church had placed on sinners. Also, there is a hint in the many theses which are phrased as questions from the laity that Luther believed the church was accountable to satisfy the faithful by demonstrating with Scripture and clear reasoning its teachings and practices were from God.
Favorite Theses
1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent,” he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.
28. It is certain that when money clinks in the money chest, greed and avarice can be increased; but when the church intercedes, the result is in the hands of God alone.
36. Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters.
43. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better deed than he who buys indulgences.
44. Because love grows by works of love, man therefore becomes better. Man does not, however, become better by means of indulgences but is merely freed from penalties.
45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a needy man and passes him by, yet gives his money for indulgences, does not buy papal indulgences but God's wrath.
55. It is certainly the pope's sentiment that if indulgences, which are a very insignificant thing, are celebrated with one bell, one procession, and one ceremony, then the gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
62. The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.
63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last.
90. To repress these very sharp arguments of the laity by force alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies and to make Christians unhappy.
