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About Martin Luther

Born: November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Germany
Died: February 18, 1546, Eisleben, Germany
Children: Margaretha Luther, Paul Luther, Magdalena Luther, Elisabeth Luther, Johannes Luther, Martin Luther
Spouse: Katharina von Bora (m. 1525–1546)
Influenced by: Desiderius Erasmus, Jan Hus, John Wycliffe, MORE
Parents: Hans Luther, Margarethe Luther

Martin Luther (1483—1546)

German theologian, professor, pastor, and church reformer. Luther began the Protestant Reformation with the publication of his Ninety-Five Theses on October 31, 1517. In this publication, he attacked the Church’s sale of indulgences.

Education:

• Local Latin school in Mansfeld, Saxony
• Brethren of the Common Life in Magdeburg, starting age 13
• School in Eisenach
• University of Erfurt, 1501
• University of Wittenberg

Notable Works

• “Ninety-five Theses”
• “Admonition to Peace Concerning the Twelve Articles of the Peasants”
• “Against the Execrable Bull of the AntiChrist”
• “Against the Murderous and Robbing Hordes of the Peasants”
• Articles of Schwabach
• Schmalkaldic Articles

Martin Luther’s Achievements

• The Ninety-five Theses (1517)
• Against the Execrable Bull of the Antichrist (1520)
• New Testament in German (1522)
• Admonition to Peace Concerning the Twelve Articles of the Peasants (1525)
• Against the Murderous and Robbing Hordes of the Peasants (1525)
• Articles of Schwabach (1529)
• More items…

How did Martin Luther become a monk?

Luther’s father wanted him to become a lawyer. Luther attended school from a young age and was sent to the University of Erfurt to study. Legendarily, Luther was caught in a terrible thunderstorm and he made a vow to St. Anna that if he was saved from it he would become a monk. In 1505 he did indeed become an Augustinian Eremite of the reformed German congregation of strict observance at Erfurt. In 1506 he became a full member of his order, and in 1507 he was ordained as a priest.

What were the 3 main ideas of Martin Luther?

Luther’s teaching, and that of the reformation, is often summarized in three “solas.” Sola gratia, sola fide and sola scriptura — by faith alone, by grace alone and by scripture alone. The key to reformation theology is found in God’s love for people. By grace alone means that God gives his love freely.

Belief – Here I stand. I can do no other. (Martin Luther)

God – A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing. (Martin Luther)

Who was Martin Luther?

Martin Luther, a 16th-century monk and theologian, was one of the most significant figures in Christian history. His beliefs helped birth the Reformation—which would give rise to Protestantism as the third major force within Christendom, alongside Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

His denunciation of the Catholic church’s doctrine and practices triggered a series of proceedings that culminated in the Edict of Worms, a document that proclaimed him a heretic and declared war on Protestantism. But his actions had already set the Reformation in motion, which would introduce new religious, political, and economic trajectories to Europe and the world.