Ninety-Five Theses

Martin Luther

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1517

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Literary Devices

Antithesis

Antithesis, also known as parenthetical antithesis, is a rhetorical technique. A writer or speaker uses a sentence or brief passage with two contradictory or contrasting ideas to make an impression. Antithesis is common in popular sayings. “Go big or go home” and “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times” are examples of antithesis. Luther quotes John Tetzel: “When the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs” (Line 27).

Luther writes, “The differences between hell, purgatory, and heaven are akin to the differences between despair, fear, and the assurance of salvation” (Line 16). The use of antithesis in this passage are Luther’s comparison between the three places in the afterlife and emotional states. A more elaborate example appears in Line 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 hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.” The contrast between “one” and a “hundred” and “very insignificant” and “very greatest” draws attention to Luther’s point about indulgences being a minor and unnecessary part of the church’s doctrine.

Biblical Allusion

Most of the “Ninety-Five Theses” is a series of logical propositions and arguments. Like many religious writers of his time, Luther does engage in biblical allusions, meaning subtle references to the Bible. Such allusions were deliberate and meant to add to the authority of Luther’s fundamentally theological arguments.

Luther refers to the “true treasure” of the church being the gospel. However, to corrupt members of the church, this treasure is “naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last” while “the treasure of indulgences is naturally most acceptable, for it makes the last to be first” (Lines 62-64). This is a pointed reference to Matthew 20:16, which reads, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Traditionally, this biblical passage has been interpreted to mean that the poor and marginalized will be welcomed into God’s kingdom first while the rich and powerful will be the last. This passage adds a layer to Luther’s critique that certain priests are exploiting the poor while serving their own greed.

Hyperbole

After his later break with the Catholic Church, Luther would become famous for his combative writing. Luther would become known for hyperbole, the use of exaggerated statements. An example is his claim that “if the pope knew the exactions of the indulgence preachers, then he would prefer that St. Peter’s Basilica were burned to ashes than constructed with the flesh and bones of his sheep” (Line 50). Here, Luther exhibits two uses of hyperbole. The first is the claim that the pope would rather burn down St. Peter’s Basilica than allow abuses of indulgences. This is a significant point, given that St. Peter’s Basilica was being funded in part by the sale of indulgences. Luther compares monetary indulgences to constructing St. Peter’s Basilica with the “flesh and bones” of Christians. Luther’s use of hyperbole is directed toward enemies and intended to illustrate the seriousness of their misdeeds, especially in contrast to the pope and his good intentions toward Christians.

In another example, Luther writes, “To consider papal indulgences so great that they could absolve a person, even if they had done the impossible and had violated the mother of God, is madness” (Line 75). Here, Luther invokes hyperbole to discredit his opponents’ position.

Repetition

Repetition allows Luther to emphasize certain points. The list structure of the “Ninety-Five Theses” lends itself to this technique. Specifically, Luther begins a series of lines with the phrase, “Christians are to be taught that” (Lines 42-43, 45-50). This repetition allows Luther to highlight what the church says about indulgences.

In another part of the text, Luther echoes and alternates between “we say” and “to say.” He declares the “to say” statements blasphemy. Luther writes, “To say that the cross emblazoned with the papal coat of arms, and set up by the indulgence preachers, is equal in worth to the cross of Christ is blasphemy” (Line 77). Repetition calls attention to the contrast between Luther’s position on indulgences and that of his opponents.