What was the document Martin Luther posted?

Answer 1

Martin Luther is famous for posting his Ninety-Five theses on the door of Door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517. The story of the posting on the door, even though it has settled as one of the pillars of history, has little foundation in truth. Luther was strongly law abiding and it would have been against his character to publish his thoughts and direction in this manner.

Luther never mentioned anything in this direction in his writings, and the only contemporary account of the publishing of the theses is the Latin account by his servant Johannes Agricola, who states that Luther presents "certain theses in the year of 1517 according to the customs of University of Wittenberg as part of a scientific discussion. The presentation of the theses was done in a modest and respectful way, preventing to mock or insult anybody". He makes no mention of nailing the theses to a door, nor does any other source report this. In actuality, Luther is known to have presented a hand-written copy, accompanied with honorable comments to the archbishop Albrecht of Mainz and Magdeburg, responsible for the practice of the indulgence sales, and to the bishop of Brandenburg, Luther's superior.