Why was martin Luther referred to as the reluctant?

Answer 1

Martin Luther was referred to as the "reluctant revolutionary" because he did not initially set out to instigate a major reform of the Church; rather, he sought to address specific grievances, particularly the sale of indulgences. His famous Ninety-Five Theses were meant to spark debate and lead to reform within the Catholic Church, not to create a schism. Luther's deep sense of faith and desire for ecclesiastical unity made him hesitant to break away from the Church, even as his ideas gained traction and led to significant religious upheaval. Ultimately, circumstances pushed him into a leadership role in the Reformation, despite his initial reluctance.