On October 31st, 1517 a German Monk by the name of Martin Luther placed his 95 Theses at the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. His theses confronted the Church on their corrupted actions for all to see.
Martin Luther mainly confronted the Catholic Church on taking money from the people for their own use. He also called them out on their manipulation to obtain money, such as the indulgences the Church was offering.
Not long after, Martin Luther founded the Lutheran Church in 1517. Lutherans believed in the basis of Scripture and that God is the Ultimate resource of religious authority.
Lutherans believed in the belief that God is the only one who can grant salvation. Many people began to read scripture and pray individually.
As a result, many people became separated on their religious beliefs. Some people wanted to stay with the Church and saw Lutherans as shameful people. Many people though took inspiration from Lutherans and used their beliefs in their own religious movements, such as Calvinists and Anabaptists.