Lu·ther  (lōō'thər)  German theologian and leader of the Reformation. His opposition to the wealth and corruption of the papacy and his belief that salvation would be granted on the basis of faith alone rather than by works caused his excommunication from the Catholic Church (1521). Luther confirmed the Augsburg Confession in 1530, effectively establishing the Lutheran Church. |
A sixteenth-century German religious leader; the founder of Protestantism. Luther, a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, began the Reformation by posting his Ninety-five Theses, which attacked the church for allowing the sale of indulgences. He soon became convinced that the Catholic Church was opposed to the Bible on the question of justification by grace, through faith, and that no accommodation of his beliefs on this point was possible within the church. Luther concluded that reform of the church had to happen through formation of a new body of Christians. He denied the authority of the pope and many other aspects of Catholic teaching, including the doctrine of transubstantiation.
Note: Luther's most famous statement, made when he was called to account for his views before a meeting, was, “It is neither safe nor prudent to do anything against conscience. Here I stand; I can do no other.”