Martin Luther

1483-1546

Martin Luther was born to Hans and Margarethe Luther on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany. He developed an early love for learning, leading to his university education at Erfurt. Luther graduated from Erfurt in 1502 with a BA and with a MA in 1505.

Luther’s monastic career began in 1505 with a storm near Stotternheim. Fearing that lightning would soon strike him, Luther prayed to Saint Anne: “Help, St. Anne, and I will be a monk.” Though Luther later regretted this hasty vow, he went on to perform great works for the church.

In 1515, Luther became the district vicar of Wittenburg, Germany. On October 31, 1517, Luther’s 95 Theses were posted on this church’s door. Luther’s ideas were radical at the time and caused much unrest in the Church. He denounced the sale of indulgences and said that every true Christian has a right to heaven without using money.

However, the Pope wasn't pleased with Luther’s radical philosophies. Pope Leo X issued his famous papal bull “Exsurge Dominae” which excommunicated Luther and demanded he recant his teachings. However, Luther was not to be deterred. He publicly burned this papal bull along with the book of church law and other books by his enemies on December 10, 1520. On January 3, 1521, Martin Luther was officially excommunicated in Rome.

In April of the same year, Luther began his trip to Worms, Germany. He was warmly welcomed in towns during the trip to the Imperial Diet. During the Diet, Luther was again urged to recant. He explained his position clearly to the Emperor several times but did not change his position.

On the return trip from Worms, Luther was kidnapped by the express order of the Emperor. Living in exile, he began a new task- Luther translated the New Testament from Greek into German in a mere eleven weeks. Later, he also translated the Old Testament. In Wittenburg, the spiritual revolution continued as three priests married. Luther returned to Wittenburg in 1522 with the revolution in full swing. From this point, his teaching became his top priority.

In June 1525 Luther married former nun Katharina von Bora, who was seeking refuge in Wittenburg. Luther spent the rest of his life teaching at the University of Wittenburg and left only once, in 1546 to settle a dispute in his hometown of Eisleben, Germany. Luther died due to illness on this trip. His last words are recorded as being “Into your hands, I command my spirit. You have saved me, Father, you faithful God.”

Written by : Amanda Davidson