Martin Luther, the Reformation and the Nation

Martin Luther was a German theologian who is credited with launching the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th century. His 95 Theses, published in 1517, outlined his criticisms of the Catholic Church and sparked a religious and political movement that would eventually split Europe into a Catholic south and a Protestant north. This divide ultimately shaped the development of modern nations as we know them today. Luther's influence also extended beyond religion to politics and economics, as he argued for increased literacy, social reform, and advocated for the rights of the individual over those of the state. He remains an influential figure in both the history of the church and the nation.