However by the Reformation in the 16th century, Martin Luther not
only translated the Gospels, but he interpreted them in printed sermons as well, and when John Calvin, Roger Williams and others broadly disagreed in print with Luther on such matters as what the scriptures said about the role of government in society, the whole matter of
scriptural interpretation was opened to thousands of individuals who for the first time could read (or have read to them) the published documents.