A powerful reform movement and era known as the Protestant Reformation begun during a time of spiritual unrest in the early 16th century Europe. Martin Luther is the man historically recognized to have begun this reform movement in Germany that spread throughout the Christian world. The words from the Bible,"The just shall live by faith" gripped the young Augustinian monk that he could not preach or live the way he had done before. This conviction catapulted Martin Luther to become the central figure in establishing many of the Protestant Church’s early beliefs and doctrines. Lecturing in theology at the University of Wittenberg required Luther to study the Scriptures in depth. While preparing for his lectures, the last phrase in Romans 1:17 struck him. The phrase, “The just shall live by faith” nearly knocked him off his seat. The full meaning and significance swept him after more meditation and careful study of the passage. Salvation is a gift from God. Salvation cannot be earned by any amount of good works, deeds, or services to the church. All one had to do was to place his trust in God and to accept Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sin. Justification is by faith alone. This was a momentuous step as Luther finally found peace with God. Luther’s search for peace began many years back. Luther as a child had an unusual sensitivity and curiosity to religion and God. Deeply embedded in his mind were graphic images of an angry God and the stories of the agonies of hellfire, which greatly influenced his religious viewpoint at an early age. At a later age he became a monk and wholeheartedly embraced the quiet and holy lifestyle the monastery afforded. However, peace eluded him, which made him desperately want to appease an angry God. As a result he resorted to rigorous disciplines like freezing himself regularly, fasting and praying for long hours, doing long pilgrimages, and even confessing his sins as much as twenty times a day. Nevertheless, all his zealous efforts failed to give him the peace he desperately sought, but made him instead more aware of his sinfulness. About the same time, Luther was sent to represent his monastery at a church conference in Rome. His superiors at the monastery thought this to be a marvelous opportunity for Luther to gain valuable knowledge and unique experiences. However, upon arriving in Rome, he was shocked by the immorality, ignorance, and hypocrisy of the Roman priests in charge of the church. The priests performed the Catholic Mass with speed and carelessness; and openly ridiculed the saints Luther highly respected. He was dismayed at t