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):
- Theologian, Professor, Priest, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther in Eisleben.
- Received a strict religious upbringing.
- Studied at the Latin school in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Entered the University of Erfurt in 1501 and earned a Master of Arts degree in 1505.
- Began studying law but abandoned it to enter the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt in 1505.
- Ordained a priest in 1507.
- Earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor of biblical theology at the University of Wittenberg starting in 1512.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church on October 31, 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
- Refused to recant his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521.
- Excommunicated by Pope Leo X in 1521.
- Protected by Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, at Wartburg Castle, where he translated the New Testament into German.
- Returned to Wittenberg in 1522 and resumed his preaching and teaching.
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
- Developed key doctrines of Protestantism, including justification by faith alone (sola fide), scripture alone (sola scriptura), and grace alone (sola gratia).
- Played a crucial role in shaping the German language through his translation of the Bible.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- Address 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 actions sparked the Protestant Reformation, fundamentally altering the religious and political landscape of Europe. His theological contributions shaped Protestant theology, and his translation of the Bible influenced the development of the German language and culture. The exploration of peter van daan biography of martin luther can further illuminate the nuances of this complex figure.