Martin Luther
Young Life
An image of Luther, written in German.
Martin Luther was born on November 10th, 1483. Luther was born to a farmer and two siblings. His original name was Martin Luder, but was later changed to Luther. Luther's father was named Hans Luder. He wanted his son, whom he thought was brilliant, to go on to be more than a farmer. Through Hans' wish, Martin was well-educated and got into many a good school, hoping to become a lawyer.
The Legend of Lightning
The storm was the one and only reason of Luther's conversion.
In 1501 A.D., Luther, a successful student, went to the University of Erfurt. Luther, to his father's wishes, enrolled in law school in 1504. In 1505, while Luther was returning to law school in the midst of a violent storm, a lightning bolt struck near Luther. Terrified, Luther shouted, “Help Saint Anne. I’ll become a monk!” He survived, but regretted his words. Luther, who had just earned his Master’s degree, dropped out to enter monastery, through his father’s and friend’s protests.
Life as a Monk
Luther in 1520, three years after his theses.
Life as a monk
Luther entered monastery at Erfurt in 1505 and took the monk’s vow in 1506. In 1507, he began his study of theology and became a priest. Five years later, he became a professor of theology at Wittenburg University. In 1514, he became a priest at Wittenburg’s City Church. He studied many passages from the bible there, and his deep religious faith is thought to because of his intensive study of the Letter of Romans
Luther entered monastery at Erfurt in 1505 and took the monk’s vow in 1506. In 1507, he began his study of theology and became a priest. Five years later, he became a professor of theology at Wittenburg University. In 1514, he became a priest at Wittenburg’s City Church. He studied many passages from the bible there, and his deep religious faith is thought to because of his intensive study of the Letter of Romans
95 Theses
A replication of his 95 theses.
On Halloween in 1517, Luther changed history. He nailed 95 theses on the Wittenburg church door, accusing them of heresy upon heresy. Many people view this as the primary point of the Protestant reformation. Luther’s act was mostly a response to selling the Indulgences by John Tetzel, a fellow priest. Luther’s chargesalso directly challenge the position of clergy in regard to one’s salvation. Soon after, the 95 theses were printed all throughout Europe.
Meeting with Cardinal Cajetan
Luther in front of Cajetan.
After his 95 theses, Luther was ordered by the pope to appear before Cardinal Cajetan in Augsburg. Cajetan demanded Luther to retract all the theses said. Luther, who was extremely religious, refused unless it could be proved by the bible he was wrong. In 1520, Luther was declared an outlaw, 3 years after his theses. Luther hid in a castle for many years afterward, translating the bible to German. Luther's translation helped form the art that is translation today.
Luther's life after his Theses.
Luther married Katarina von Bora in 1525 and they were married until 1546. Bora was a nun, and they met while Luther was in hiding. Luther had to live with many other relatives, including Luther's sisters. Luther was very ill the last years of his life, but insisted on spreading god's word. Luther passed away in 1546, in his birthplace Eisleban.
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"Katarina Von Bora Luther." Britannica Image Quest. N.p., 2013. Web. 3 May 2013. <http://quest.eb.com/images/140_1658891?subjectId=0&collectionId=0&keyword=martin+luthers+wife&localizeMetaData=false>.
Luther. KDG Wittenburg, 1997. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.luther.de/en/geburt.html>.
"Luther as Monk." Britannica Image Quest. N.p., 2013. Web. 2 May 2013. <http://quest.eb.com/images/109_102005?subjectId=0&collectionId=0&keyword=martin+luther+monk&localizeMetaData=false>.
"Luther in Front of Cardinal Cajetan During the Controversy of His 95 Theses." Britannica Image Quest. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://quest.eb.com/images/108_236617?subjectId=0&collectionId=0&keyword=Cardinal+Cajetan&localizeMetaData=false>.
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