Martin Luther

By goatdiamico
  • Nov 10, 1483

    Birth

    Birth
    Martin Luther was born in Lutherstadt Eisleben, Germany to Hans and Margerete Luther and was baptized the next day
  • 1502

    College

    College
    Martin Luther gets a B.A. from the University of Erfurt
  • 1505

    Call from God

    Call from God
    Martin Luther was studying law, but was discontent with the course of his life. He was caught in a thunderstorm and nearly died on a visit home, an experience which inspired Luther to abandon law and join the Augustinian monks of Efurt
  • 1512

    Higher Studies

    Higher Studies
    As a monk, Luther struggled to understand how salvation is achieved. In an attempt to understand, he received his doctorate in theology from the University of Wittenberg and then taught there
  • 1516

    Luther's Epiphany 1513-1516

    Luther's Epiphany 1513-1516
    Luther came to the conclusion that faith alone is all you need to achieve salvation, which became a basis for reform churches like Lutheranism
  • 1517

    95 Theses

    95 Theses
    Luther issued the 95 Theses, a list of grievances against the Catholic Church, in which he criticized the power of the papacy and condemned the sale of indulgences. This is the event that is said to have sparked the Protestant Reformation
  • 1519

    Leipzig Debate

    Leipzig Debate
    In Leipzig, Luther debated Catholic Theologian Johann Eck. Eck forced Luther to deny the authority of popes and councils and aligned him with John Hus, a condemned heretic
  • 1520

    Dangerous Proclamation

    Dangerous Proclamation
    Luther was going to proceed with his new ideas on theology. He proclaimed, “Farewell unhappy, hopeless, blasphemous Rome! The Wrath of God has come upon you, as you deserve. We cared for Babylon, and she is not healed; let us then leave her, that she may become the habitation of dragons, spectres, and witches.”
  • 1520

    Break from the Church

    Break from the Church
    Luther published a series of pamphlets working towards a more formal break with the Church. In these pamphlets he criticized sacraments, papal authority, and expressed his own ideas about salvation and a reformed church.
  • 1521

    Excommunication

    Excommunication
    Luther was excommunicated by the Church
  • 1521

    Reichstag

    Reichstag
    Luther was summoned to appear before the Riechstag in Worms, convened by Emperor Charles V. He was expected to recant his heretical doctrines, but instead stuck to his word. Emperor Charles V was outraged, and Luther was made an outlaw in the empire; his works were burned
  • 1522

    A New Church

    A New Church
    Luther returned to Wittenberg to begin organizing a reformed church.