The Protestant Reformation began in the 16th century as a religious movement seeking to reform abuses within the Catholic Church, including its luxurious lifestyle, nepotism in appointments, and selling of indulgences. Martin Luther published his 95 Theses criticizing indulgences and asserting that salvation comes through faith alone, not works. This sparked the Reformation. As Protestantism spread, the Catholic Church responded with inquisitions against heretics and the Counter Reformation to preserve Catholicism, while rising nationalism in European nations further divided people along religious lines.