American Lutheranism

Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched the Protestant Reformation in German-speaking territories of the Holy Roman Empire. Beginning with the 95 Theses, first published in 1517, Luther's writings were disseminated internationally, spreading the early ideas of the Reformation beyond the influence and control of the Catholic Curia and the Holy Roman Emperor.