Which statement best describes a major feature of the 16th-century Reformation?

Which statement best describes a major feature of the 16th-century Reformation?

• A. It promoted the idea that faith alone could justify salvation.
• B. It maintained the Catholic Church's authority without challenge.
• C. It upheld the sale of indulgences as necessary.
• D. It supported papal infallibility.

Answer: (B)

The main idea behind the Reformation was that salvation comes through faith and the authority of Scripture, not through church rituals, indulgences, or the pope’s power alone. The statement about faith alone justifying salvation captures this shift: reformers like Luther argued that God’s grace grants justification, and individuals receive it through faith, not by earning merit or paying for indulgences. This focus challenged how the church claimed authority and how people believed they could be saved. The other descriptions don’t fit as well because the Reformation pushed against the notion of an unchallenged ecclesiastical authority, opposed the sale of indulgences, and did not embrace the idea of papal infallibility, a doctrine developed later.

The main idea behind the Reformation was that salvation comes through faith and the authority of Scripture, not through church rituals, indulgences, or the pope’s power alone. The statement about faith alone justifying salvation captures this shift: reformers like Luther argued that God’s grace grants justification, and individuals receive it through faith, not by earning merit or paying for indulgences. This focus challenged how the church claimed authority and how people believed they could be saved. The other descriptions don’t fit as well because the Reformation pushed against the notion of an unchallenged ecclesiastical authority, opposed the sale of indulgences, and did not embrace the idea of papal infallibility, a doctrine developed later.