Martin Luther was born in Wittenberg, Germany. He became a augustinian monk, against the wishes of his father (a lawyer) who wanted him to study law and wanted to go to heaven when he died. He, like many, believed there were too many abuses in the church such as simony and also believed in only two sacrements, baptism and eucharist. He tried good works but he felt he was not good enough to please god. One day he read a letter in the bible from St. Peter which said that a good man is saved by faith alone (Justification by faith alone). Meanwhile, in Rome, Pope Leo wanted to build a new St. Peters. He announced that anyone who gave money for it would get an indulgence. In Germany a monk called John Tetzel collected money for the indulgences. He promised people that if they gave money they would go to heaven when they died. Tetzel's ideas made Luther angry. He set out 95 theses or arguments against the indulgences which he placed on the doors of Wittenberg Cathedral. Later he said that the Pope was wrong and that people must read the bible to find out what god wants. The Pope proclaimed Luther a heretic (someone that betrays the teachings of the church)and excommunicated him but Luther cared little and burned the Popes letter. Luther later translated the bible into the vernacular (The language of the people) and as a result literacy spread