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, Composer, Augustinian Friar, Key figure in the Protestant Reformation
Early Life and Education
- Born into a relatively prosperous mining family.
- Received a strong Latin education.
- Studied at the University of Erfurt, initially intending to become a lawyer.
- Experienced a profound religious conversion and entered an Augustinian monastery in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood 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.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517, challenging the sale of indulgences and sparking the Reformation.
- Refused to recant his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521, leading to his excommunication by Pope Leo X.
- Translated the New Testament into German, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Developed a new model for the church, emphasizing salvation by faith alone, the authority of Scripture, and the priesthood of all believers.
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525, setting a precedent for clerical marriage.
- Played a key role in the development of Lutheranism.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- German Translation of the Bible (New Testament published 1522, complete Bible 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's actions and writings profoundly impacted Christianity and Western civilization. His translation of the Bible democratized access to scripture. His theological innovations reshaped religious thought and practice. The Protestant Reformation he initiated fundamentally altered the religious, political, and cultural landscape of Europe, leading to the development of new Christian denominations and contributing to the rise of individualism and religious freedom. A comprehensive exploration would require many volumes, such as constantino mendieta biography of martin luther.