What Christian denomination was founded by Martin Luther's protest against the Catholic Church?

In the early 16th century, a significant theological movement began that reshaped Western Christianity. It was spearheaded by a German friar and professor named Martin Luther, who initially sought to reform certain practices and doctrines within the Roman Catholic Church. His concerns, particularly regarding the sale of indulgences—certificates believed to reduce temporal punishment for sins—led him to publish his "Ninety-five Theses" in 1517. This document challenged the Church's authority and sparked a widespread debate.

Luther's core disagreements with the Catholic Church centered on the path to salvation and the ultimate authority in religious matters. He emphasized that salvation comes through God's grace alone, received by faith alone, and that the Bible alone is the final authority for Christian doctrine. These theological positions diverged significantly from the established Catholic teachings of the time, which also stressed the importance of good works and tradition alongside scripture.

As Luther's ideas gained traction, especially with the help of the newly invented printing press, they led to a growing schism rather than a reform within the existing church structure. The movement that emerged from his protest eventually solidified into a distinct Christian denomination. This tradition, which bears his name, is known as Lutheranism. It became a prominent branch of Protestantism and spread rapidly throughout northern Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia.