Causes of the Reformation

There were several long term and short term causes of the Protestant reformation. The immediate cause that started the reformation was Martin Luther’s act of posting the Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral in the Holy Roman Empire. Luther was a priest in the Catholic faith in 1517 when he posted the Theses. Luther posted the Theses in response to the sale of indulgences in nearby towns. The Church sold these indulgences …

…to spread his ideas without the interference of Church officials because he lived so far from the center of authority. The reformation was a time of change in Europe, and its causes were many. Luther was the first to succeed in setting up a church outside the Church, and he was aided by many factors. Luther was simply the reformer who had the proper timing, support, personality and goals to allow the reformation to begin.