Which German theologian led the Reformation?

• A. John Calvin
• B. Ulrich Zwingli
• C. Henry VIII
• D. Martin Luther

Answer: (D)

The core idea here is understanding who sparked the Protestant Reformation in Europe. Martin Luther, a German theologian, is the figure most closely identified with initiating the movement. In 1517 he challenged the Catholic Church’s practices—most famously the sale of indulgences—by posting his 95 Theses and arguing that salvation comes through faith alone and that the Bible is the ultimate authority, not papal decrees. His insistence on studying Scripture directly and translating the Bible into German helped reformist ideas spread rapidly across German-speaking lands and beyond. While Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin played crucial roles in other regions (Switzerland and broader Reformed thought), and Henry VIII’s break with Rome created the Church of England for political reasons, Luther is the figure most associated with starting the Reformation itself.