Martin Luther

Born:

November 10, 1483, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire

Died:

February 18, 1546, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire

Nationality:

German

Profession(s):

Theologian, Priest, Professor, Composer

Early Life and Education

• Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther.
• Received a rigorous education in Latin and other subjects.
• Initially enrolled at the University of Erfurt to study law in 1501.
• Entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt 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 in 1512, a position he held for the rest of his life.
• Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
• Refused to recant his writings at the Diet of Worms in 1521, leading to his excommunication by Pope Leo X.
• Translated the New Testament into German in 1522, making the Bible accessible to a wider audience.
• Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
• Developed key doctrines of Protestantism, including sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola fide (faith alone), and sola gratia (grace alone).
• Played a significant role in the development of the German language.

Notable Works

• Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
• An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520)
• The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
• On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
• German translation of the Bible (New Testament in 1522, Old Testament completed in 1534)
• Small Catechism (1529)
• Large Catechism (1529)

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther's actions initiated the Protestant Reformation, fundamentally altering the course of Western Christianity and European history. His theological contributions and translation of the Bible had a profound impact on religion, language, and culture. Many biographies analyze Luther's impact. Consider Evelyne Brochu biography of Martin Luther for an understanding of his influence, viewed through a modern lens. His influence continues to be felt worldwide through various Protestant denominations and his lasting contributions to Western thought.

Selected Hymns

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