The series of outbreaks of intellectual and religious disaffection in Western Europe with the papal authority of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th Cent.; it remains the defining moment of Western European history. It resulted in the establishment of the Protestant movement and loss of papal hold and influence in the affairs of northern Europe.
The Reformation is popularly understood to be sparked by Martin Luther's questioning the sales of indulgences in 1517. In matter of fact, of course, the need for reforms was on the lips of everyone who mattered in Europe for a long time before that.
Modern Christians often forget how significant was the impact of the Reformation on all of our church life today. Many of our favorite theological 'hobby-horses' are, in fact, vestiges of the Reformation.
Further Reading:
Diarmaid MacCulloch, The Reformation: Europe's Houses Divided 1490-1700. London: Penguin, 2004.
Diarmaid MacCulloch, All Things Made New. Writings on the Reformation. London: Penguin, 2017.
Alec Ryrie, Protestants. The Radicals Who Made the Modern World. London: William Collins, 2017.
Resources:
The Reformation. Westminster Theological Seminary. N Podcasts (33 episodes).
Reformation & Modern Church History by Dr David Calhoun. Covenant Theological Seminary. N Podcasts (37 episodes).
©ALBERITH