> You remove Luther from the picture and reform changes pace and takes different route but but it still happens Does it ? If the pace and course of events wer

> You remove Luther from the picture and reform changes pace and takes different route but but it still happens Does it ? If the pace and course of events were changed, perhaps the reformation would happen, albeit under a different name. Perhaps not. A different leader might not have been so resolute or bold (as to pin the grievances on the cathedral door), might not have had the political support of the Elector of Saxony. Certainly the conditions may have been present, but would individuals of sufficient character have been available to kindle change ? It was fortuitous that Germany had both Luther and Fredrick III (aka 'Fredrick the Wise') alive at the same time. Given a slightly less capable Elector the Church could have prevailed; with slightly more flexible Church hierarchy Martin Luthers fiery challenge could have been contained. Look at it this way: Would the outcome WWII be the same if Churchill and Roosevelt were replaced by different men? Remove Mao from the picture and is it obvious that course of modern Chinese history would be the same ? Progress and change are not inevitable. The ingredients of agent and agency must be present and work together[1] [1]Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr wrote an essay in 1958 dealing with this issue and entitled The Decline Of Greatness. I am unable to find an adequate link to it. It is a fascinating read. Also see Sidney Hook The Hero in History https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Hero+in+History&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLUz9U3MIk3syhS4tFP1zc0Sso1Nc5IstQScCwtycgvCsl3ys_P9s_LqQQAsEs-Ty0AAAA&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi45MnQ1eDTAhUGAxoKHVcYADoQxA0IsQEwGQ&biw=1366&bih=657 https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Hero+in+History&stick=H4...