Martin Luther & Protestantism

            Martin Luther's Interpretation of Christianity And Its Effects.
             Roman Catholics believed in indulgences, an act that was used, among other things, to finance the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This spurred the monk, Martin Luther to protest and argue that salvation came not bydoing certain things? but from religious faith. His dispute against the Pope, led him to condemnation. He continued his debate further from within the church without much progress. Taking the matter into his own hands, he rejected the Pope's authority and in 1519 began the movement known has the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther had paved the way to question the church. This spread throughout the world inspiring others, spurring the Catholic (counter) reformation, and thus later led to religious, social and political changes in Western Europe. His views on Christianity appealed to nobles and commoners, yet it was a threat to the Roman Catholic Church. .
             Luther believed that Christian belief must be based on the word of God and tradition, and not on the authority of the pope. He made his point by challenging the church doctrine with his 95 Theses:by faith alone,?by the grace of God alone,? andby the scriptures alone? can we be saved. Calvinists, another religion inspired by Luther, had a different idea on salvation. They believed that God chose those who arepredestined.? Calvinists lived a life of simplicity without much materialism involved, like that of Roman Catholics. This new aspect appealed many to convert to Protestantism. It allowed them to live a better life, for example, by rejecting the medieval tradition of celibate priests and nuns, marriages were allowed for all adults.
             Protestantism was such a threat to the Roman Catholic Church that Italian peasants sometimes defied their masters by adopting a different faith. Politically, it gave them less control and power over the people.