The Protestant Reformation

1517 copy of Martin Luther's 95 theses, the publication of which began the Protestant Reformation in Europe

Historical Context

In 1517, an obscure German theologian by the name of Martin Luther published a document criticizing the Catholic selling of 'indulgences', or actions performed to reduce the amount of punishment for sin.

Luther could not have known that his document and the subsequent events would change the face of Europe and Christendom forever. Over the next 150 years, Europe split between the Catholic faith of the Roman popes and the new, reformed religion known as Protestantism, of which there were many branches. Northern Europe switched to Protestant, Southern Europe remained Catholic, and Central Europe became the site of the devastating Thirty Years' War.

For his writings and teachings, Luther was put on trial for heresy and in 1521 was excommunicated by the Pope. He would continue to teach and write widely on religion, including by translating the Bible into German vernacular and publishing numerous hymns. He would die in 1546, near the peak of the Reformation itself. Today, more than 900 million people adhere to the Protestant faith.

Document Info

Author(s): Martin Luther (published by Hieronymus Höltzel)

Source: DIGITALISIERTE SAMMLUNGEN

Related Events

1517-10-31 Martin Luther sends his Ninety-five Theses to Albert of Brandenburg, Archbishop of Mainz, precipitating the Protestant Reformation
1518-10-12 Papal envoy Cardinal Thomas Cajetan interrogates Martin Luther in Augsburg in a failed attempt to persuade Luther to revoke his theses
1519-01-04 1st Altenburger meeting in Saxony between Martin Luther and papal nuncio Karl von Miltitz
1519-07-16 Public debate between Martin Luther and theologian Johann Eck at Pleissenburg Castle in Liepzig, during which Luther denies the divine right of the Pope
1520-12-10 Martin Luther publicly burns papal edict demanding he recant
1521-05-08 Parliament of Worms installs edict against Martin Luther
1521-05-25 Edict of Worms outlaws Martin Luther and his followers
1522-03-09 Martin Luther begins preaching his "Invocavit Sermons" in the German city of Wittenberg, reminding citizens to trust God's word rather than violence and thus helping bring to a close the revolutionary stage of the Reformation
1547-06-23 Champion of the Protestant Reformation, Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse is captured and taken to south Germany