Who Lead the People’s Reformation in Germany?

The leader and ideological inspirer of the Reformation was Martin Luther.

He was born in Saxony, received a good education, but unexpectedly for everyone he went to a monastery. Martin made this decision because he was afraid of God’s wrath and considered himself a very sinful person.

Luther became a monk in the Augustinian order, where he began to study the Bible thoroughly, he also became a doctor of theology at the University of Wittenberg. Studying the Bible and observing “brothers in the faith” led Martin to the conclusion that Catholicism had long ago departed from the truth and from the teaching of the Bible in general.

So the young monk stood up against the idea of ​​Catholicism, that by good deeds it is possible to earn a place in heaven, since this contradicted the main truth of the Bible “salvation through faith.” He also rejected the privileges of ministers and anyone else. According to Luther, everyone is equal before God: from a slave to a king.

The impetus for his activities was the desire of the church to cash in. The Pope issued indulgences (a paper that forgave all sins. Anyone could buy it for a certain amount. Therefore, Martin Luther in 1517 did something that changed the history of Europe forever. He attached 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, which he accused Pope in heresy and greed.

Martin was immediately excommunicated from the Church and the already former monk burned the papal bull (letter of excommunication) in the city square along with the indulgences.

The very activity of Luther was supported by a large population, from princes to peasants.

Luther died during the struggle between the Church and the Reformation, but he had already done a great job. Catholics lost their influence in Europe and from this period freedom of religion began to emerge.