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Lutheranism began when Luther, annoyed at the [[Catholic Church]]'s [[sale of indulgences|selling indulgences]] and other practices that he considered to be non-scriptural, posted his [[95 Theses]] on the doors of churches throughout Germany. Unable to reach an accommodation with Rome over the differences, Luther and his followers broke away from the Catholic Church and formed what became known as the Lutheran Church. This breaking away was the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]].

Lutheranism began when Luther, annoyed at the [[Catholic Church]]'s [[sale of indulgences|selling indulgences]] and other practices that he considered to be non-scriptural, posted his [[95 Theses]] on the doors of churches throughout Germany. Unable to reach an accommodation with Rome over the differences, Luther and his followers broke away from the Catholic Church and formed what became known as the Lutheran Church. This breaking away was the beginning of the [[Protestant Reformation]].

===Melanchthon as organizer===

===Melanchthon as organizer===

Luther was the theologian and his close friend [[Philipp Melanchthon]] (1497–1560) was the organizer. Historians debate Melanchthon's exact role, ranging from a few who say he ruined true Lutheranism, to those who see him as the real genius of the Reformation who determined its course.  Luther was no organizer, and, as a theologian, no systematizer. Melanchthon was both, though with limitations. The Lutheran approach to spreading the word of God could not be effective without trained preachers who knew how to use the Bible and were in sympathy with the spirit of the time as represented in the Renaissance. His ability to meet this need by making schools and universities, as well as all their teachings, subservient to the preaching of the Gospel was Melanchthon's peculiar gift. Luther recognized this and was not blind to his own restrictions. He justly admired Melanchthon's skill in getting at the kernel and formulating it instructively and systematically, even though the latter's work as the "preceptor of the Reformation" inevitably resulted in a narrowing of Lutheran concepts which was not without momentous consequences.

Luther was the theologian and his close friend [[Philipp Melanchthon]] (1497–1560) was the organizer. Historians debate Melanchthon's exact role, ranging from a few who say he ruined true Lutheranism, to those who see him as the real genius of the Reformation who determined its course.  Luther was no organizer, and, as a theologian, no systematizer. Melanchthon was both, though with limitations. The Lutheran approach to spreading the word of God could not be effective without trained preachers who knew how to use the Bible and were in sympathy with the spirit of the time as represented in the Renaissance. His ability to meet this need by making schools and universities, as well as all their teachings, subservient to the preaching of the Gospel was Melanchthon's peculiar gift. Luther recognized this and was not blind to his own restrictions. He justly admired Melanchthon's skill in getting at the kernel and formulating it instructively and systematically, even though the latter's work as the "preceptor of the Reformation" inevitably resulted in a narrowing of Lutheran concepts which was not without momentous consequences.