Question

Which of the following people were leaders of the Protestant Reformation?

1) Martin Luther
2) John Calvin
3) Henry VIII
4) Thomas Aquinas

Answer 1

Option (1), Martin Luther and John Calvin were influential leaders of the Protestant Reformation, advocating for reforms within Christianity, such as faith-based salvation and scriptural authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The leaders of the Protestant Reformation were figures who significantly altered the religious landscape of their time. Among these, Martin Luther, a German monk and professor, became a central figure in initiating the Reformation. He famously posted his "95 Theses" in 1517, challenging the Catholic Church's practices and doctrines such as the sale of indulgences. Luther advocated for salvation through faith alone and the authority of scripture.

John Calvin, a French lawyer and theologian, also played a pivotal role in the Reformation. After fleeing to Geneva due to religious persecution in France, Calvin established a reformed church and his teachings spread across Europe, influencing the formation of Reformed churches.

While the English Reformation had a different character, being initially imposed by King Henry VIII for personal and political reasons, it ultimately aligned with Protestant ideas after the king broke with the Catholic Church. On the other hand, Thomas Aquinas was not a leader of the Protestant Reformation; he was a Catholic priest and philosopher who lived in the 13th century, long before the Reformation took place.