Protestants: Obedient Rebel

(See Cover)

Of few men can it be said with absolute certainty that they changed the course of history. Jesus was one; so was Karl Marx. Still another was Martin Luther, friar of the Augustinian Order of Eremites, who 450 years ago posted his 95 theses concerning indulgences to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. There was nothing defiant or earth-shaking about the act itself—all theologians of the day publicly announced their willingness to debate a timely religious issue. Not until later, in fact, did Luther come to realize that his action...