Luther, Martin

1. A sixteenth-century German religious leader; the founder of Protestantism. Luther, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church , began the Reformation by posting his Ninety-five Theses, which attacked the church for allowing the sale of indulgences . He soon became convinced that the Catholic Church was opposed to the Bible (see also Bible ) on the question of justification by grace, through faith , and that no accommodation of his beliefs on this point was possible within the church. Luther concluded that reform of the church had to happen through formation of a new body of Christians (see also Christian ). He denied the authority of the pope and many other aspects of Catholic teaching, including the doctrine of transubstantiation .

Notes

Luther's most famous statement, made when he was called to account for his views before a meeting, was, “It is neither safe nor prudent to do anything against conscience. Here I stand; I can do no other.”