What was the primary aim of early Protestant reformers?

The primary aim of early Protestant reformers was to reform the practices and beliefs of the Catholic Church. This movement emerged in response to perceived corruptions and abuses within the Church, such as the sale of indulgences, which were seen as contrary to the core teachings of Christianity. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin sought to return to what they viewed as a more authentic interpretation of the Bible and Christian doctrine.

By advocating for changes such as justification by faith alone and the priesthood of all believers, these reformers aimed not to create a new religion but to call for a reformation of existing practices that they believed strayed from the true essence of Christianity. This led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations that sought to align more closely with what they considered the original intent of Christianity.