"Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura"
In 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of Wittenberg Castle Church, protesting the sale of indulgences. He argued that salvation comes through faith alone, not by buying pardon. Aided by the Printing Press, his ideas spread rapidly across Europe.
The Reformation broke the medieval church's monopoly. It empowered individuals to read the Bible and connect with God directly, without a priest as intermediary. This fostered literacy, individualism, and eventually modern democracy, as people began to question not just religious but also political authority.