Final answer:
The student's question refers to the practice of indulgences in Roman Catholic doctrine which claimed to reduce the suffering time in purgatory. indulgences were challenged during the Reformation, especially by Martin Luther, who argued that only God can remit sins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept in question refers to indulgences, which in Roman Catholic doctrine, were believed to reduce the time souls spent in purgatory. Purgatory is envisioned as a space of suffering where souls atone for their sins before being admitted to heaven. During the Industrial Revolution, a significant shift occurred in society from agriculture to manufacturing, but this era also included historical religious changes such as the controversy over indulgences.
Historically, the Church offered indulgences, which could be received through deeds or donations, certifying a shortened period of atonement in purgatory. This idea was challenged during the Reformation, most notably by Martin Luther in 1517, who opposed the selling of indulgences by Johann Tetzel and others. He argued that only a truly repentant Christian could receive full remission of penalty, and that the Church's practice of selling indulgences was corrupt.
Luther's theses suggested that indulgences could not remit guilt, which is only forgiven by God. He stated that the pope's role was to declare God's remission, not to grant it through indulgences. Therefore, the entire concept of paying to secure one's faster release from purgatory was considered problematic and against Christian doctrine