Which religious reform movement, led by Martin Luther, criticized indulgences and asserted salvation by faith alone?

• A. Catholic Church
• B. Zoroastrianism
• C. Luther's Teachings
• D. Humanism

Answer: (C)

The central idea here is how Luther framed salvation and religious authority. Luther argued that forgiveness and a person’s standing before God come through God’s grace received by faith, not by buying indulgences or performing acts to earn forgiveness. This emphasis on justification by faith alone (and faith grounded in Scripture) sparked a reform movement that challenged the Catholic Church’s practices and authority, leading to the development of Protestant branches centered on Luther’s teachings.

That’s why the best answer is Luther's Teachings: it names the reform movement led by Martin Luther that criticized indulgences and asserted salvation by faith alone. The other options don’t fit this idea: the Catholic Church is the institution Luther criticized, Zoroastrianism is a separate ancient religion, and Humanism is an Renaissance intellectual movement not specifically about Luther’s reform.