Martin Luther

Martin Luther dealt the symbolic blow that began the Reformation when he nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church. That document contained an attack on papal abuses and the sale of indulgences by church officials. But Luther himself saw the Reformation as something far more important than a revolt against ecclesiastical abuses. He believed it was a fight for the gospel. Luther even stated that he would have happily yielded every point of dispute to the Pope, if only the Pope had affirmed the gospel. And at the heart of the gospel, in Luther's estimation, was the doctrine of justification by faith--the teaching that Christ's own righteousness is imputed to those who believe, and on that ground alone, they are accepted by God.

Links: Martin Luther from the Encylopedia Britannica Martin Luther - The Small Catechism Sermons: The Wheat & the Tares The Parable of the Sower Christ Our Great High Priest Christ's Holy Sufferings The Twofold Use of the Law and Gospel Enemies of the Cross of Christ On Faith & Coming to Christ Of the Office of Preaching