Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Professor of Theology, Priest, Reformer, Author, Composer
Early Life and Education
- Born in Eisleben, Saxony (present-day Germany).
- Educated at Latin schools in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Entered the University of Erfurt in 1501 and received a Master of Arts degree in 1505.
- Began studying law but abandoned it to enter the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt in 1505.
- Ordained as a priest in 1507.
- Earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed professor of biblical theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1512, a position he held for the rest of his life.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517, challenging the sale of indulgences.
- Refused to recant his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521 and was declared an outlaw by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
- Translated the New Testament into German while in hiding at Wartburg Castle.
- Led the Protestant Reformation, leading to a schism within Western Christianity.
- Formulated the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
- Married Katharina von Bora in 1525.
- Played a significant role in shaping the development of the German language.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- An Appeal to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520)
- On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- Translation of the Bible into German (New Testament, 1522; complete Bible, 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's theological and political actions initiated the Protestant Reformation and reshaped Christianity. His translation of the Bible into German democratized access to scripture and significantly influenced the development of the German language and national identity. The influence of his theological ideas continues to be felt in modern Protestantism and beyond.
Consider reading a biography, such as a 'kivengere biography of martin luther', for a more in-depth look at his life and the effects he had during his life and into the future.