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):
- Theologian, Professor, Priest, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born into a mining family in Eisleben.
- Educated in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Attended the University of Erfurt, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1502 and a Master of Arts in 1505.
- Began studying law at the University of Erfurt before abandoning it and entering an Augustinian monastery in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1507.
- Received a doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
Career and Major Achievements
- Appointed professor of biblical studies at the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
- Refused to recant his writings at the Diet of Worms in 1521, leading to his excommunication by Pope Leo X and being declared an outlaw by Emperor Charles V.
- Translated the New Testament into German while in hiding at Wartburg Castle.
- Returned to Wittenberg and resumed his role as a reformer.
- Married Katharina von Bora in 1525.
- Developed key theological doctrines of Protestantism, including sola scriptura, sola fide, and sola gratia.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- An Appeal to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (1520)
- The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- German translation of the Bible (New Testament in 1522, complete Bible in 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
- Numerous hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God".
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's actions and writings profoundly impacted Christianity and Western civilization. His translation of the Bible into German made scripture accessible to a wider audience. He challenged the authority of the papacy and initiated the Protestant Reformation. Understanding the complex nuances of this historical figure requires examining works like the one titled, 'vincent de rivaz biography of martin luther', as they provide insight into the life and times that shaped his ideology.