1517: Martin Luther and the Invention of the Reformation by Peter Marshall

A myth about the Reformation's origins—the nailing of Martin Luther's 95 Theses to Wittenberg's church door—was likely invented by a later biographer, not an event that occurred in 1517. This conclusion emerges from Peter Marshall's cultural history analysis, which examines how the symbolic significance of this moment evolved over five centuries. By analyzing diverse artifacts (paintings, sermons, coins) and centennial commemorations (1617, 1817, 1917), Marshall reveals that the 'nailing' myth shaped later interpretations of Luther's role in the Reformation. The study also traces how 1517 became an iconic event tied to German nationalism and enlightenment before its historical veracity was challenged post-World War II. This work offers a unique lens on the intersection of history, memory, and cultural imagination.

Jordon, S. (2019). 1517: Martin Luther and the Invention of the Reformation by Peter Marshall. Lutheran Quarterly, 33(2), 218–220. https://doi.org/10.1353/lut.2019.0032