Ninety-Five Theses

In Luther’s theology, emotion plays an important role. In some ways, Luther equates sin and the process of penance with guilt or contrition. Luther says that, just like no one can be “sure of the integrity of one’s own contrition,” one cannot know if they have received full forgiveness for their sins (Line 30). For Luther, the “penalty for sin” lasts as long as “hatred of self,” which is lifelong and which he views as “true internal repentance” (Line 4). In other words, guilt is part of the penance of sin, although true penance requires a change in one’s behavior.

Other emotions enter Luther’s understanding of redemption and the afterlife. Luther states that “hell, purgatory, and heaven are akin to the differences between despair, fear, and the assurance of salvation” (Line 16). Luther means hell is the total despair of ever having salvation. Fear, which comes from a soul’s doubt over salvation, is equivalent to purgatory. Love plays a more positive role. As the love grows within a soul in purgatory, its fear will decrease and it will be more ready to ascend to heaven. It is only through love and transcending both despair and fear that a Christian’s soul is truly freed from guilt over sin and enters heaven.