what was the Protestant Reformation all about?
What did Luther and others protest? The chief debate was the matter of salvation — how man could have his sins forgiven and be restored to a right relationship with his Creator-God. The church taught that people could buy forgiveness for their sins. Luther’s 95 Theses protested this teaching. Luther and other reformers taught that God alone could grant forgiveness. The reformers also taught that religion and good deeds could not save people. They taught that salvation came only through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. “Through faith alone in Christ alone” began to be heard all over Europe. The reformers urged people to transfer their confidence for salvation from the church and its religious traditions to Christ alone. They encouraged people to read the Bible. They also preached that the Bible should serve as the Christian’s final authority. The world has been feeling the effects of the Protestant Reformation ever since. The Reformation not only gave birth to Protestantism, but also
