monk and originator of the Reformation in Europe. Luther was professor of biblical theology at Wittenberg when in 1517 he nailed his Ninety Five Theses to the door of the university chapel. Luther was much influenced by William of Ockham, from whom he derived a sceptical view of the edifices of scholasticism, and in particular Thomism. The leading idea of his theology was the doctrine of justification by faith or grace alone—a doctrine which irritated the Catholic church by denying any institutional role in defining or delivering (or selling) proper religious status (grace). Similarly Luther had a dim view of the place of reason and philosophy (‘the devil’s whore’) in underpinning proper Christian faith, which comes from God and is revealed not by reason but by revelation. His sermons and hymns are one of the treasures of German literature.