Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Theologian, Professor, Priest, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family of peasant origins; his father was a copper miner.
- Received his early education in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Enrolled at the University of Erfurt in 1501, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1502 and a Master of Arts in 1505.
- Began studying law at Erfurt but abandoned it in 1505.
- Entered the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1507.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed professor of biblical theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1508.
- Awarded a doctorate in theology in 1512.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church on October 31, 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
- Refused to recant his writings at the Diet of Worms in 1521 and was declared an outlaw.
- Translated the New Testament into German while in hiding at Wartburg Castle (1521-1522).
- Returned to Wittenberg in 1522 to lead the Reformation.
- Married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525.
- Continued to write theological works, sermons, and hymns.
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)
- German translation of the New Testament (1522) and Old Testament (completed in 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 significant changes in the religious, political, and cultural landscape of Europe. His translation of the Bible into German made scripture more accessible to the common people and profoundly influenced the development of the German language. The influence of Luther's theological insights extends through modern protestant faiths, and the examination of his life and work such as a 'sutan amrull biography of martin luther', continues to shape theological and historical studies.