In 1505, Martin Luther (Niall MacGinnis) abandons his law studies to become a monk. After being ordained a priest, Luther grows increasingly troubled by the Catholic Church's practices, including using Latin during services and offering absolution -- known as indulgences -- for sinners. In 1517, Pope Leo X (Philip Leaver) tries to bring the church much-needed money by selling indulgences. Outraged, Luther writes down his famous 95 Theses, publicly challenging church dogma.