What was the major contribution of Martin Luther, and what was a major consequence?

What was the major contribution of Martin Luther, and what was a major consequence?

• A. His 95 Theses critiqued indulgences and church practices, fueling the Protestant Reformation.
• B. Translated the Bible into Greek.
• C. Consolidated papal authority across Europe.
• D. Wrote a hymn about church unity.

Answer: (A)

Challenging indulgences and church authority is the defining move. Luther’s 95 Theses argued that selling indulgences and certain church practices distorted true repentance and salvation, insisting that faith and Scripture should guide belief rather than papal permission bought with money. This critique sparked wide debate and launched the Protestant Reformation, a movement that led to the formation of Protestant churches and broad reforms and conflicts across Europe. A major consequence is the enduring split within Western Christianity and the social and political changes that followed, along with reform efforts within the Catholic Church in response. (For context, Luther did not translate the Bible into Greek—he translated it into German—he did not aim to consolidate papal authority, and while he wrote hymns, his lasting impact comes from his reform work.)

Challenging indulgences and church authority is the defining move. Luther’s 95 Theses argued that selling indulgences and certain church practices distorted true repentance and salvation, insisting that faith and Scripture should guide belief rather than papal permission bought with money. This critique sparked wide debate and launched the Protestant Reformation, a movement that led to the formation of Protestant churches and broad reforms and conflicts across Europe. A major consequence is the enduring split within Western Christianity and the social and political changes that followed, along with reform efforts within the Catholic Church in response. (For context, Luther did not translate the Bible into Greek—he translated it into German—he did not aim to consolidate papal authority, and while he wrote hymns, his lasting impact comes from his reform work.)