To note, the Catholic Church would rein completely, unopposed, until Martin Luther nailed his 95-page thesis to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg Saxony, now Germany, which sparked the Reformation.
Credited with starting the Reformation Movement, Luther argued that the church had to be reformed. He believed that individuals could be saved only by personal faith in Jesus Christ and the grace of God.
He thought the Catholic Church’s practices, focusing on works (such as pilgrimages, A journey to a sacred place, the sale of indulgences to obtain forgiveness, and prayers addressed to saints) were immoral.
Also, he advocated the printing of the Bible in the language of the reader rather than in Latin.
The main accusation of the thesis was the sale of indulgences, which were a method of fundraising for Pope Leo’s large pet project, Saint. Peter’s Basilica, he wanted to rebuild it.
The pope condemned the Reformation movement as it was against his personal desire, and Luther was to be excommunicated from the church.
On June 15 or 16 of 1520, Pope Leo X officially excommunicated Martin Luther. But he gave him around 100 and some days to recant, which he didn’t.
So in January of 1521, Luther was officially excommunicated by the Pope. After being excommunicated, Luther began writing and translated the New Testament into German.
His translation of the New Testament into the language of the people in September of 1522. was one of his most lasting accomplishments.
Also, he wrote a little catechism and a big catechism; his Smaller Catechism could be used for parents teaching their children, and his Larger Catechism for pastors. He still believed in the Catholic Church, which he grew up in, reported, and at the time was the only one.
When Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg Saxony, now Germany, on October 31, 1517, right away, the Protestant Reformation was started.
The Protestant Reformation resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism; untold churches were started.
He and a Professor became long-time close friends on mutual agreements; when Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546, the Professor got together with others, and the Lutheran Church was started. To remember, his teachings sparked the formation of the Lutheran Church by friends after his death.
Now Martin Luther did not want a church with his name, but it was started by friends and still, after centuries, exists today.
When he died on February 18, 1546, Luther only lived 63 years from health problems.
Now on to the Meaning of Reformation and Protestant.