Explain who Martin Luther is and the impact he had on the reformation.

Martin Luther (1483–1546) was a German theologian and religious reformer whose actions and writings were pivotal in initiating the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th century. Luther was a monk within the Roman Catholic Church, and he became increasingly critical of certain church practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, which were payments made to the Church ostensibly to reduce punishment for sins. In 1517, Luther famously nailed his "Ninety-Five Theses" to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This document criticized the Church's practices and emphasized the importance of faith and scripture over the institutional Church's authority. The theses quickly spread throughout Europe, aided by the recent invention of the printing press, igniting widespread debate and ultimately leading to a schism with the Catholic Church. Luther's fundamental beliefs included the concepts of justification by faith alone (sola fide) and the authority of scripture alone (sola scriptura). He argued that salvation could not be bought or earned through good works or financial contributions to the Church but was a gift from God that could be received through faith. The consequences of Luther's actions were profound: 1. **Religious Schism**: His challenges led to the formation of new Christian denominations, as many followed his teachings, rejecting the authority of the Pope and traditional Catholic practices. 2. **Inspiration for Reformers**: Luther’s ideas inspired other reformers, such as John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli, who continued to develop and spread reformation ideas further throughout Europe. 3. **Social and Political Change**: The Reformation not only transformed religious life but also had significant social and political implications, influencing movements for change in governance and individual freedoms. 4. **Church Practices**: Luther’s translation of the Bible into German made the scriptures accessible to laypeople, diminishing the clergy’s monopoly on biblical interpretation and encouraging people to read and interpret the Bible themselves. 5. **Counter-Reformation**: The Catholic Church responded with its own reforms and reaffirmations of doctrine, known collectively as the Counter-Reformation, which sought to correct abuses and clarify Catholic teaching. Martin Luther is often seen as a key figure in Western history, whose influence shaped not only Christianity but also broader cultural, political, and social developments in Europe. His legacy continues to impact Christian denominations and theological discussions today.