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, Author, Composer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther.
- Received a general education in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Enrolled at the University of Erfurt in 1501, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1502 and a Master's in 1505.
- Began studying law but abandoned it after a religious experience in 1505.
- 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.
- On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
- Refused to recant his writings 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, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
- Played a key role in shaping the doctrines and practices of Lutheranism.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- An Appeal 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 New Testament into German (1522)
- Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants (1525)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's theological insights, particularly his emphasis on salvation by faith alone, had a profound and lasting impact on Christianity and Western civilization. His translation of the Bible into German democratized access to scripture and contributed to the development of the modern German language. The Protestant Reformation he initiated reshaped the religious and political landscape of Europe.
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