Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, and reformer whose writings sparked the Protestant Reformation. In 1517, he famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, challenging the Catholic Church’s practice of selling indulgences. Luther emphasized salvation by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture over church tradition, and the priesthood of all believers. His translation of the Bible into German made Scripture more accessible to ordinary people. Excommunicated by the Pope, he continued to write, preach, and shape the Lutheran tradition until his death in 1546.
