Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Theologian, Professor, Pastor, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther.
- Received early education in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Studied at the University of Erfurt, receiving a Bachelor's degree in 1502 and a Master's degree in 1505.
- Began studying law at the University of Erfurt but abandoned it to join the Augustinian monastery in 1505.
- Ordained as a priest in 1507.
- Earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512 and became a professor of biblical theology there.
Career and Major Achievements
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg 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 by Pope Leo X and condemnation as an outlaw by Emperor Charles V.
- Translated the New Testament into German while in hiding at Wartburg Castle (1521-1522), making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Published numerous theological works advocating for justification by faith alone (sola fide), Scripture alone (sola scriptura), and grace alone (sola gratia).
- Married Katharina von Bora in 1525, setting a precedent for clerical marriage.
- Played a key role in the development of the Lutheran Church.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Concerning the Reform of the Christian Estate (1520)
- On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- German Translation of the Bible (New Testament: 1522, Complete Bible: 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's actions initiated the Protestant Reformation, profoundly impacting Western Christianity and culture. His theological contributions, including his emphasis on salvation by faith alone, his translation of the Bible into German, and his advocacy for accessible religious education, continue to resonate today. Some scholars, like the author of a fictional 'henry walter bellew biography of martin luther', explore different perspectives on his life and theological stances.