Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation, which unfolded in the 16th century, was a transformative religious movement seeking to reform the Catholic Church and ultimately leading to the establishment of Protestantism. At its core, the Reformation centered on criticizing various practices and doctrines within Catholicism. Influential reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized the authority of the Bible as the sole source of religious truth, emphasizing salvation through faith alone. They challenged the sale of indulgences, questioned the power and corruption of the papacy, and advocated for translating the Bible into vernacular languages to increase accessibility. The Reformation profoundly reshaped Christianity, resulting in the formation of numerous Protestant denominations, and its impact reverberated throughout European societies in social, political, and cultural spheres.