How long has it been since the start of the Protestant Reformation?

The Protestant Reformation was a major religious upheaval that began on October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, challenged the Catholic Church’s authority. He famously nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, criticizing the sale of indulgences and other corrupt practices. Luther’s ideas, emphasizing salvation by faith alone and direct access to the Bible, spread rapidly across Europe due to the newly invented printing press. This movement led to the formation of Protestant churches, breaking the religious monopoly of the Catholic Church.  

The Reformation had profound political and social effects. It sparked religious wars, such as the Thirty Years’ War, and led to the rise of nation-states as monarchs rejected papal authority. In England, it resulted in the creation of the Anglican Church under King Henry VIII. Over time, the movement encouraged literacy, as people sought to read the Bible in their native languages, and contributed to the development of modern democracy by promoting individual religious choice. The Catholic Church responded with the Counter-Reformation, leading to reforms and renewed missionary efforts.  

How long has it been since the start of the Protestant Reformation?

507 years,
4 months,
29 days,

7h : 4m : 53s

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