Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Saxony (modern Germany)
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, Saxony (modern Germany)
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Professor of Theology, Priest, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born into a peasant family in Eisleben, Saxony.
- Educated at Latin schools in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Studied at the University of Erfurt, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1502 and a Master of Arts degree in 1505.
- Began studying law at the University of Erfurt but abandoned it to become an Augustinian friar in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1507.
- Earned a doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor of Biblical Theology at the University of Wittenberg from 1512 until his death.
- Initiated the Protestant Reformation by posting his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.
- Challenged the authority of the Pope and the practices of the Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences.
- Excommunicated by Pope Leo X in 1521.
- Declared an outlaw by Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521.
- Translated the New Testament into German while in hiding at Wartburg Castle (1522).
- Published his German translation of the complete Bible in 1534.
- Played a crucial role in the development of the German language.
- Developed the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide).
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
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)
- The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- German Translation of the New Testament (1522)
- German Translation of the Bible (1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
- Numerous hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's actions sparked the Protestant Reformation, leading to a major split within Christianity and the establishment of various Protestant denominations. His translation of the Bible into German had a profound impact on the development of the German language and culture. His theological ideas continue to influence Christian thought today. The context for his work is often considered in analyses, such as a dennis carroll usaid biography of martin luther might provide, to understand the historical and political forces at play during the Reformation.