The Reformation begins
- When
- 1517 AD
- Where
- Wittenberg
- Kind
- Reform
Luther's objections to indulgences opened a wider argument about authority, scripture and justification that divided western Christendom.
Luther's ninety-five theses objected to the sale of indulgences for the rebuilding of St Peter's, and were an invitation to academic disputation rather than a manifesto. The argument moved quickly from indulgences to the authority that had licensed them, and by 1520 Luther was denying that popes and councils cannot err. Printing made the difference: the theses were in translation across Germany within weeks, which no previous reforming movement had been able to achieve. Excommunicated in 1521 and outlawed at Worms, Luther was hidden by his prince and translated the New Testament into German in eleven weeks.
Bodies it bears on
Began here
Party to it
Who stands here
- Martin Luther
1483–1546
It begins with his objection to indulgences
- Huldrych Zwingli
1484–1531
Carried Zurich, and split from Luther over the supper
- Philipp Melanchthon
1497–1560
Wrote the Augsburg Confession that stated its case
- John Calvin
1509–1564
Organised Geneva into the model the Reformed churches copied
- John Knox
c. 1514–1572
Led the Scottish reformation of 1560
Either side of it
The whole timeline, from the apostolic communities to the present.