The Zurich Disputation

The Zurich Disputation was a formal debate in 1523 between Martin Luther and Catholic theologians. Luther argued that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by good deeds or church rituals. The Church officials challenged his views, but Luther's emphasis on scripture and personal faith influenced the Protestant Reformation. The discussion helped establish key ideas that led to the break from the Catholic Church, promoting the belief that individuals could interpret the Bible directly and that faith, rather than church authority, was essential for salvation.