One man set out on a journey in order to seek redemption for his sins, but instead challenged the views and  beliefs of everyone around him. Martin Luther became one of the most influential theologians of the 15th and 16th century. He challenged the common principles and beliefs of Roman Catholicism, which ultimately led to a revolution known as the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s most notable writing was the Ninety-five Theses, which caused a pandemonium of his era.

Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Germany where he lived with his mother and father. His life was not an easy one, his parents believed strongly in unpleasantly rough punishments. Luther’s father was a miner who wanted better for his son, so he made sure to put Luther in the best schools, so he could become a lawyer. Luther did not become a lawyer instead he became a monk. His father was not pleased with this change of course but eventually forgave his son.The strictness of Luther’s upbringing was thought to be the reason of his depression and anxiety. These events caused him to seek a greater purpose in life, one that he found within the church.

In 1505 Luther experienced a life changing event. While he was traveling he became caught in a thunderstorm. Although the exact events of what happened are not known the situation changed Luther’s life. Filled with fear of what was to come after death, Luther promised to St. Anne that he would abandon his father’s dream of him becoming a lawyer and would instead dedicate his life as a monk. Luther joined the church as an obedient servant of God, with the thought of salvation, in his mind. He was a dedicated monk who would go beyond what other monks did in order to feel worthy of God’s love. He viewed God as a severe judge, just like his father and teachers.

Martin Luther’s study of mysticism made him realize that he did not need to know all and every one of his sins, all he had to do was love God. This view of God was not easy for Luther and he soon realized he did not feel love for God but instead hate. After his confessor appointed him to teach scripture at the University of Wittenberg, he soon realized what the gospel really was teaching. Luther concluded, from the verse Romans 1:17, that God wants to give you His righteousness and goodness. This new meaning replaced Luther’s hatred to God with love. As he went to Rome he saw the corrupt power that Pope Leo X had and saw all the indulgences the pope endeavored in. Luther wrote Ninety-five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, which talked against the profit that was designed by powerful people.

The church was not pleased with Luther’s new ideas and wanted to put a stop to it soon before it spread, but it was too late. The printing press spread copies all throughout Germany in both latin and german. This caused the pope to seek help in order to silence and deal with Luther. Luther’s teachings were seen as heresy which started a feud between the church and Martin Luther’s followers.