The Reformation brought about changes in the religion of the Christian Church in the early 18th century. Martin Brecht defines the Reformation as a world historical event “triggered and largely shaped by the monk and teacher Martin Luther. Its religious struggle for a merciful God, its existence between God and the Devil, led to a schism within Western Christianity and the emergence of Protestant churches” (Brecht). Martin Luther and John Calvin were the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. How were Martin Luther and John Calvin different and how were they similar in their quest to reform the Church? Martin Luther, also known as the “Reformer,” was a leading force in the Protestant Reformation. He was born on November 10, 1483 in the town of Eisleben, located in East Germany. Luther's parents were Hans Luder and Margaretha (née Lindemann). His father was a farmer and later became a copper miner in Mansfeld. Martin Luther's parents raised him in the strict environment of the Roman Catholic Church. With his new job in Mansfeld, Hans made the decision to move his family there in 1484. Hans expected Martin to become a lawyer, so Luther went to Erfurt in 1501 to study law. Luther received his master's degree in 1505. Soon after, he felt that law was not the place for him. This act upset his father, not only because he dropped out of college, but he decided he wanted to become an Augustinian monk in Erfurt. Luther believed that if he was serious about his religion, he could please and do good works for God. However, once again, he was still unhappy. Luther decided to make another life-changing decision by studying theology. He went to Wittenberg to study this subject. Martin...... middle of paper......the church. In conclusion, because of the Reformation, churches changed a lot and continue to change until today. Works cited by Brecht, Martin and Wolfgang Katenz. “Luther, Martin.” The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation. Oxford University Press, 1996. web. December 3, 2011. Burkholder, Peter J., Donald Jay Grout, Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music. New York: WW Norton & Company Inc., 2010. Print. Dunning, Albert R. “Calvin, John.” Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, 2007. web. December 3, 2011. Leaver, Robin A. “Luther, Martin.” Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, 2007. web. December 3. 2011. .