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[[File:Martin Luther by Cranach-restoration.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Martin Luther]] was one of the most important leaders in [[Christian]] and [[Germany|German]] history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he unintentionally launched the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]] and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]].]]

[[File:Martin Luther by Cranach-restoration.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Martin Luther]] was one of the most important leaders in [[Christian]] and [[Germany|German]] history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he unintentionally launched the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]] and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]].]]

 

The '''Protestant Reformation''' was the 16th century movement which led to the separation of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches from the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. It is usually said to have started when [[Martin Luther]] nailed his ''[[95 Theses]]'' to the door of the cathedral in Wittenburg, Germany calling for a discussion of  false doctrines and malpractices within the Catholic Church as he saw them. These included the sale of [[indulgences]] and the doctrine underlying them, as well as the powers of the Pope. He had not, however, intended to create a rival church.

The '''Protestant Reformation''' was the 16th century movement which led to the separation of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] churches from the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. It is usually said to have started when [[Martin Luther]] nailed his ''[[95 Theses]]'' to the door of the cathedral in Wittenburg, Germany calling for a discussion of  false doctrines and malpractices within the Catholic Church as he saw them. These included the sale of [[indulgences]] and the doctrine underlying them, as well as the powers of the Pope. He had not, however, intended to create a rival church.

In these points, Luther (and Protestantism generally) rejected the Catholic Church's beliefs that there is an equality of Tradition with Scripture, in the efficacy of our own good deeds joined to saving faith in Christ's unmerited gift of salvation, and in the idea that it is the clergy and the institutional church that make possible the ordinary Christian's access to God through [[intercession]] and the [[sacrament]]s.   

In these points, Luther (and Protestantism generally) rejected the Catholic Church's beliefs that there is an equality of Tradition with Scripture, in the efficacy of our own good deeds joined to saving faith in Christ's unmerited gift of salvation, and in the idea that it is the clergy and the institutional church that make possible the ordinary Christian's access to God through [[intercession]] and the [[sacrament]]s.   

 

In Switzerland, other Protestants quickly followed Luther's lead. [[Ulrich Zwingli]] and then [[John Calvin]] preached an even less ceremonial brand of Christianity. Whereas Luther had retained most of the worship style of Catholicism if not all of its structure and doctrines, the Swiss Reformers sought a simpler style of worship and a more decentralized system of church government. Their churches normally are termed "Reformed," as opposed to Luther's following which is known by his name ("Lutheran"), as "Evangelical," or by a combination of the two words.   

In Switzerland, other Protestants quickly followed Luther's lead. [[Ulrich Zwingli]] and then [[John Calvin]] preached an even less ceremonial brand of Christianity. Whereas Luther had retained most of the worship style of Catholicism if not all of its structure and doctrines, the Swiss Reformers sought a simpler style of worship and a more decentralized system of church government. Their churches normally are termed "Reformed," as opposed to Luther's following which is known by his name ("Lutheran"), as "Evangelical," or by a combination of the two words.