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, Pastor, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luder.
- Educated in Mansfield, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Studied at the University of Erfurt, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1502 and a Master's degree in 1505.
- Entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1507.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1508.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church on October 31, 1517, challenging the sale of indulgences.
- Refused to recant his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521, leading to his excommunication.
- Translated the New Testament into German, making the Bible more accessible to the common people.
- Led the Protestant Reformation, resulting in the establishment of new Protestant denominations.
- Developed the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520)
- On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- Translation of the New Testament into German (1522)
- 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 into German had a lasting impact on the German language and culture. Richard O. Linke's biography of Martin Luther and those of many other historians helps to chronicle and understand the life and significance of this pivotal figure.