Radical Schmadical
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Martin Luther was what most would call a conservative reformer that launched a radical revolution.
When Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis on October 31, 1517, he did not mean to start the revolution he began. He initially wanted to cause reform in the Catholic Church. He was simply doing something many people before him had done: posting his opinion on the door of Castle Church in Whittenburg, Germany hoping someone would debate him. At first, Luther only attacked indulgences and other abuses in the church, but as Catholic resistance stiffened, so did Luther's position. He opposed three main Catholic views: the idea of salvation through good works and faith; he believed in salvation by faith alone, the Pope being the authority of the church; the Bible was his only authority, and priests being above lay people in the church. Luther acknowledged the Priesthood of all Believers, or the idea each person must interpret the Bible for themselves.
One main contribution to the proliferation of Luther's ideas was the printing press. After Luther posted his theses, hundreds of copies were made, and his ideas spread around Germany. He was invited to a debate with John Eck in 1519 in Leipzig...