Martin Luther is the religious reformer responsible for the Protestant Reformation.

Background:
- The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement that took place in the 16th century in Europe.
- It was a response to the perceived corruption and abuses within the Roman Catholic Church at the time.
- The movement led to the creation of Protestant Christianity, a branch of Christianity separate from Catholicism.

Martin Luther:
- Martin Luther was a German monk, theologian, and professor of theology.
- He is considered one of the most influential figures in Western history.
- Luther's actions and writings were instrumental in the Protestant Reformation.
- He is known for his Ninety-Five Theses, a list of grievances against the Catholic Church, which he nailed to the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517.
- Luther's Theses criticized the Church's practice of selling indulgences, which were certificates believed to reduce the time spent in purgatory.
- Luther argued that salvation could not be earned through good works or indulgences, but rather through faith alone.
- His ideas spread rapidly across Europe, thanks in part to the printing press, and sparked a widespread movement for religious reform.

Impact of Martin Luther:
- Luther's teachings challenged the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church.
- He translated the Bible into German, making it accessible to ordinary people and promoting literacy.
- Luther's theology emphasized the priesthood of all believers and the importance of personal faith.
- His ideas led to the establishment of Protestant denominations such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism.
- The Protestant Reformation had far-reaching social, political, and cultural consequences, including the Wars of Religion and the rise of individualism.

In conclusion, Martin Luther's actions and teachings were pivotal in sparking the Protestant Reformation. His criticisms of the Catholic Church and his emphasis on faith and personal interpretation of the Bible led to the establishment of Protestant Christianity as a separate branch of the Christian faith.

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