Leveled Readings / The Ninety-Five Theses (Martin Luther)
The Ninety-Five Theses (Martin Luther)
Martin Luther, Ninety-Five Theses, thesis 27 (1517)
These are adaptations, not the original. The original wording is always shown first. Each adapted version restates the same passage at about a grade 4, grade 7, or grade 10 reading level without adding or removing ideas. Quote the original in student writing.
Original wording
“They preach man … who say that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory].”
Adapted · about grade 4
Luther said it was wrong to preach that paying money frees a soul from punishment right away.
Adapted · about grade 7
They preach human ideas who say that as soon as the coin clinks in the box, the soul flies out of purgatory.
Adapted · about grade 10
Those who say that the soul flies out of purgatory as soon as the coin jingles into the money-box are preaching mere human doctrine.
Used in: Was the Reformation a needed reform or a dangerous break?