Religion in Europe: Protestantism: Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses
Religion in Europe: Protestantism: Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses
Motivations. According to popular lore, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses against the sale of indulgences on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, on 31 October 1517. While it now appears improbable that he took hammer in hand, his influence on Christianity in Europe and both indirectly and directly in the Americas is indisputable. Luther protested the sale of indulgences or purchased redemption from sin, which profited both Rome and his local archbishop. Archbishop Albert of Hohenzollern hoped to finance his recent elevation to Archbishop of Mainz, a politically important post, through indulgences. Luther precipitated a popular movement in Germany, capitalizing on widespread anti-Roman and anticlerical sentiment. Ultimately he formulated a new understanding of the Christian faith and helped begin the Reformation.
Impact. Of course the spread of reformed religion had a widespread effect on Europe. Those countries barely affected (such as Spain) took advantage of wars and political strife afflicting countries such as England and France, using the opportunity to move ahead in the colonization race. The initial advantage of Catholic Spain prevailed in New Spain. Ironically, however, reformed religion, embracing that which Luther had advocated in the Ninety-five Theses and other writings, would prevail in North America.
Source
John Bossy, Christianity in the West, 1400–1700 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1985).