Final answer:
Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses challenged the infallibility and exclusive scriptural authority of the Pope, emphasizing the role of temporal authorities when the Church deviated from Scripture and advocated Christian values such as charity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The historical context of the Pope’s power and his relation to secular authorities is a complex issue that dates back to the Middle Ages. Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses challenged the authority of the papacy, especially concerning the sale of indulgences, which he saw as a corruption of the church's spiritual mission. One of Luther's central arguments was that all Christians have direct access to God and are able to interpret the Scriptures, countering the prevailing belief that only the Pope could provide interpretations. Moreover, Luther argued that the Church should prioritize actions like giving to the poor and needy over practices such as selling indulgences. His theses also emphasized that temporal authorities should act when the pope or church acts contrary to the Scriptures, highlighting that even popes and church officials are subject to temporal laws when necessary.
Luther also countered the claim that only the Pope could call a council, pointing out that in times when the Pope is an obstacle to Christendom, temporal authorities, representing the Christian community, can and should convene one. This perspective underscores the importance of the temporal authorities' role in maintaining not only civic order but also religious integrity.
In essence, Martin Luther urged a return to Scriptural teachings and Christian values such as charity and humility, while dismantling the Church's position of infallibility, as well as its stronghold over spiritual and temporal life.