Final answer:
In the 16th century, a group of Christians who followed Martin Luther and John Calvin's teachings broke from Roman Catholicism, forming a sect, which was part of the broader Protestant Reformation. The movement emphasized faith and scripture alone as the basis for salvation and Christian practice, giving rise to various Protestant denominations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 16th century, a small group of Christians who followed the teachings of Martin Luther and John Calvin broke away from the large community of Roman Catholics, forming a new Christian movement. This movement is an example of a sect, which is a relatively small and new religious group that emerges by splitting from a larger established religious tradition. The Protestant Reformation was the schism within Catholicism, sparked by figures like Luther and Calvin, contributing to the formation of various Protestant denominations, such as Lutheranism and Calvinism.
Luther's assertion was that faith alone was sufficient for salvation, rejecting the Catholic notion that salvation was a combination of faith and good works, such as the purchasing of indulgences. His belief in scripture alone as the sole authority for Christian belief and practice led to a departure from many traditional Catholic practices. The rapid spread of these ideas was greatly facilitated by the invention of the printing press. Similarly, John Calvin established Calvinism, which pushed for a distinct set of theological principles and gained followers across Europe.