Five hundred years ago today, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Germany’s Wittenberg Castle Church. 

Luther’s act ushered in what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation. In his theses, Luther primarily attacked the Catholic Church’s practice of selling papal indulgences—payments that promised people they could purchase forgiveness from sin and hasten their way into heaven.

Luther’s protest was more than a simple criticism of the indulgence trade. Luther challenged the Church’s authority. He translated the Latin Bible into German and encouraged education for men and women alike. His message was that all Christians were equal in God’s eyes and could reach heaven based on faith alone.

During his lifetime, Luther wrote thousands of sermons and pamphlets, composed hymns, preached every week, and engaged in tireless work on behalf of the emerging Protestant churches.

“The righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

(AP Photo: Martin Luther)