Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a 16th-century theologian whose ideas sparked the Protestant Reformation. He challenged the Catholic Church's practices, emphasizing salvation by faith alone rather than by works. Luther introduced the concept of predestination, suggesting that God has already determined who will be saved. He believed in divine providence, meaning that God is actively involved in the world, guiding and caring for creation. Luther's teachings shifted the focus of religious ethics from the Church's authority to individual faith, encouraging personal interpretation of scripture and a direct relationship with God, which profoundly impacted Christian thought and practice.