On a breakpoint, a daily look and an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging truth.

The Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street.

The most dramatic moment of the Protestant Reformation occurred in April of 1521.

Just three and a half years earlier, Martin Luther had posted his 95 thesis, attacking

the abuse of sale of indulgences, which promised the pardon of sin through payment, and other

evidence of corruption in the Western Church of the time.

In printed Luther's thesis, became a runaway bestseller, igniting enormous opposition

to the indulgence market, to the Pope, and to the hierarchy of the Church.

When given the chance to recant his views in 1521, Luther refused and was excommunicated.

That only drove Luther to further develop his theology, which was based on the idea of

justification by faith alone, and to more loudly call for nobles and the people of Germany

to oppose corruption in the Church.

Charles V, a newly elected Holy Roman Emperor and a devout, though, reform-minded Catholic,

thus faced a crisis.

He knew that a kingdom divided by religion could not likely survive.

He also faced increasing pressure from the papacy to deal with Luther, so he summoned Luther

to appear before the imperial parliament in the city of Verms, granting him promise of

safe conduct.

Now, Luther knew that ignoring an imperial summons was simply not an option.

He also knew what had happened to the Bohemian reformer, John Huss, when he had been granted

safe conduct by the emperor to a Church Council in Constance.

The Council had ignored the safe conduct, claiming that they had no obligation to keep

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