Five hundred years ago, a rebellious German monk named Martin Luther, who was disgusted with what he saw as corruption in the Catholic Church, started a movement that dramatically changed the face of Christianity. During this hour of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe talks with Ray Mentzer, professor of religious studies at the University of Iowa, and Greg Prickman, who is head of special collections at the University of Iowa.
Mentzer says that while Martin Luther did write letters to the Catholic Church, he did not nail them to the door to declare his grievances.
"Up until Luther's inspiration, they were not willing to break with Rome. He is really the first who sees the existing structure as hopelessly corrupt," says Mentzer.
