Martin Luther (German pronunciation: [ˈmaʁtin ˈlʊtɐ] 1483 – 1546) changed the course of Western civilization by initiating the Protestant Reformation.[1] As a priest and theology professor, he confronted indulgence salesmen with his 95 Theses in 1517. Luther strongly disputed their claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms meeting in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the emperor.
Luther taught that salvation is a free gift of God and received only by grace through faith in Jesus as redeemer from sin, not from good works. His theology challenged the authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic Church by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge[2] and opposed sacerdotalism by considering all baptized Christians to be a holy priesthood.[3] Those that identify with Luther's teachings are called Lutherans.
From Archie: It's good to remember it is not always easy to speak out for what you believe. The price to pay may seem excessive, but the gift will be extravagant.
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