Luther did not set out to divide the church, but rather to improve it. He believed that the abuses of the church could be corrected, and that his new theology could be reconciled with that of the Catholic church. In 1517, Luther criticized indulgences and other obvious abuses of the church. By 1520, Luther actively questioned the sacraments of the church.
The church, by 1518, had begun an inquisition into this matter, and by 1521, he was excommunicated. By this time, a number of German nobles were offering Luther their protection, and as the Protestant reformation truly began to sweep Germany as it moved from the sphere of theology to that of politics.
The following years were a whirlwind of activity, religious, political and personal in Luther's life. He married and began a family. He was threatened and escaped persecution. He continued his reformation efforts, preaching sermons, writing, and on Christmas Day 1525, he first preached the mass in German rather than Latin.
Luther saw great changes in his lifetime. He was first persecuted, then later accepted. He was a monk who became a devoted father to a large family. Luther died, surrounded by friends and family on February 17, 1546. He had, perhaps, had more influence on the church during his lifetime than any other individual in the preceding centuries.
For more information on Martin Luther, please see http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atlantis... http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/REFORM/LUTHER.HTM
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