Treatise on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church

"Treatise on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church," written by Martin Luther in 1520, critiques the Catholic Church’s practices and doctrines of his time. Luther argues that the church was spiritually 'imprisoned' by false teachings, corrupt rituals, and the misuse of church authority—comparable to the biblical Babylonian captivity of the Israelites. He emphasizes that salvation comes through faith alone, not church rituals or authority, and advocates for reform. The work was pivotal in questioning church traditions, helping ignite the Protestant Reformation, and encouraging believers to rely directly on scripture and faith for salvation.