Martin Luther

             There is a reason why Martin Luther was voted the 2nd most influential person in the last 1000 years by the readers of Time Magazine. Luther is the reason that there was a reformation of the church. Many people would call this reformation a revolution. A revolution involves radical shifts in ideas, deaths, and violent transfers of power, therefore Luther's ideas were revolutionary. Prior to the reformation, it was said that in order to go to heaven, you had to do religious "works" such as abide to the law, embark in good acts, religious observances and sacrifices. But according to Luther, you had to have "faith". Outward acts are not enough, you must do god's law in your heart and you have to believe. .
             During the reformation of the church, Luther changed many ideas where changed. Humanism in the north such as in Germany and England was much different than that in Italy. All of the Humanists looked at ancient writings, but the Humanists in the North focused more on the bible. They studied ancient religious manuscripts and the previous church fathers. They more or less studied the writings prior to Thomas Aquinas. Northern and southern Humanists thought a lot alike, but there was a difference in where they placed their emphasis. Northern humanists liked to ask questions such as "let's think about what we"re doing now". In thinking this way, they thought about religion differently than that of the southern Humanists. Up until the reformation, the church had the final say in everything such as the leaders, what was right and wrong, the law, the people, etc. Northern Humanists believed that the people should have a say and they asked questions such as "should anything belong to the state?". The society outside of the church became much more important, and the people were getting much more involved with the control of government, the law, etc. .
             There were some massive implications after the reformation of the church.