Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Theologian, Professor, Priest, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther.
- Received a Master of Arts degree from the University of Erfurt in 1505.
- Entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt 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 theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
- Refused to recant his views at the Diet of Worms in 1521 and was declared an outlaw.
- Translated the New Testament into German (published in 1522) and later the Old Testament (published in 1534), making the Bible accessible to common people.
- Developed key tenets of Protestant theology, including sola scriptura (Scripture alone), sola gratia (grace alone), and sola fide (faith alone).
- 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)
- On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- The German Translation of the Bible (New Testament 1522, Old Testament 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's actions triggered the Protestant Reformation, fundamentally altering the religious and political landscape of Europe. His translation of the Bible into German democratized access to scripture. The theological principles he developed became cornerstones of Protestant denominations. As evidenced in Joji Morishita Biography of Martin Luther, his life and work continue to be subjects of extensive study and analysis, highlighting his enduring influence on Western civilization.