The Birth of Protestantism: The First Great Media Event of the Early Modern Period

Luther was opposed to what he saw as the abuse of the clergy in promoting the purchase of a Letter of Indulgence for the forgiveness and repentance of sins; insisting that the Pope had no authority over purgatory and that the Treasury of Merit (Treasury of the Church) had no foundation in the Bible.

The Ninety-five Theses is a list of propositions written by Luther in 1517 responding to the indulgences and salvation controversy, stating that in order for sins to be forgiven internal spiritual repentance rather than external sacramental confession is required.

Although Luther intended theTheses to be subservient to the Pope and the church there was an undercurrent of reform. Luther began to formulate theological positions that caused him to part ways with the church. The Reformation started with the Theses publication.

Although the Reformation was started in 1517, Luther wasn’t excommunicated by Pope Leo X until January 1521 by The Edict of Worms , which condemned him and officially banned all citizens of the Holy Roman Empire from defending or propagating his ideas.

It was a major movement within Christianity in 16th-century that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and papal authority. It arose from what were perceived to be errors, abuses, and discrepancies by the Catholic Church. It gave rise to Protestantism.

Its core position was that the Bible is the main source of religious authority and that salvation is achieved through faith and not deeds, which is the core of Protestantism. It fractioned the Catholic Church into three parts: Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

These Documents (1483-1546) represent the beginning and the early development of the Reformation that Luther initiated and that spread from Wittenberg far beyond the German empire of his time and well beyond his own epoch. 

They record how a religious impetus focused on the revision of traditional positions gradually developed into larger societal and political phenomenon that made an impact throughout the world. They also show the transition from manuscript to print media.

The Reformation Documents include: Luther’s correspondence, lectures on the Psalms, translation of bible, principal writings of the Reformation, hymns, letters, etc.

In his treatise An Open Letter to the City Council Members of German Towns, 1524 , Luther urged politicians to take the education of children seriously and to not neglect the philological studies of pastors, laying the foundation for education reform.

Luther created his German Mass (1525-1526), a new order for the liturgy, based on seeing rites and ceremonies as externals to be freely shaped. It held that reading, singing, preaching, and praying should involve active participation in the service of worship. 

The transition from manuscript to print media, via the Gutenberg's printing press, was a key impetus for the Reformation. It drew attention to the application of various media and modes of communication to influence the masses and inspire and mobilize of the public.

The Reformation was the first great media event of the Early Modern period. It used all the literary genres and means of communication at hand and was able to have a continuing effect over a long period of time, moving beyond geographical and cultural boundaries.