Early Life and Education
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Saxony (now part of modern-day Germany). He was the second son of Hans and Margarethe Luther. His father was a miner who later became a copper smelter, which allowed the family to move to a relatively higher social class.
Luther’s education began in the local schools of Mansfeld, and he later attended the University of Erfurt in 1501, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1502 and a master’s degree in 1505. Initially, Luther studied law at the university, but his life took a dramatic turn after a near-death experience.
Religious Transformation
In 1505, after a harrowing experience during a thunderstorm, Luther vowed to become a monk if he survived. True to his word, he entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt later that year. He was ordained as a priest in 1507 and began his theological studies, eventually earning a doctorate in theology in 1512.
The Ninety-Five Theses
The event most commonly associated with Luther is the posting of his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. The theses were a critique of the Catholic Church’s practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, which were believed to reduce punishment for sins.
Luther’s objections were rooted in his belief that salvation came through faith alone (sola fide) and not through works or the purchase of indulgences. He argued that the Church had corrupted the true message of Christianity and misled its followers for financial gain.
Conflict with the Church
Luther’s challenge to Church doctrine quickly gained support and spread throughout Europe. In 1520, Pope Leo X issued a papal bull condemning Luther’s teachings and gave him 60 days to recant. Luther responded by burning the papal bull in a public act of defiance.
In 1521, Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church and summoned to the Diet of Worms, where he famously refused to recant his writings unless proven wrong by Scripture or reason. His stand at Worms cemented his role as a leading figure in the Reformation.
The Reformation and Its Impact
After the Diet of Worms, Luther was declared an outlaw and a heretic. He was protected by Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, and spent about a year in hiding at Wartburg Castle. During this time, he translated the New Testament into German, making the Scriptures more accessible to ordinary people.
Luther’s ideas led to the formation of various Protestant denominations. His doctrine of justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and the authority of Scripture (sola scriptura) became central tenets of Protestant theology. His writings and translations helped to promote literacy and a more personal engagement with the Bible among laypeople.
Later Life and Legacy
Luther married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525. They had six children together and led a relatively modest family life. Luther continued to write and preach until his death on February 18, 1546.
Martin Luther’s legacy is profound. He played a key role in challenging the Catholic Church’s authority and practices, leading to the Protestant Reformation. His emphasis on individual faith, the authority of Scripture, and the priesthood of all believers reshaped Christian theology and practice.
Luther’s influence extends beyond theology into areas such as education, where his ideas contributed to the development of public schooling, and language, as his translation of the Bible into German significantly impacted the development of the German language and literature.
