Martin Luther

Birth of Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Born in Eisleben, Germany

Student Life at Erfurt

1502

Luther attended the University at Erfurt and there he studied the 7 Liberal Arts and in 1502 received Baccaleureat.

Life Changing Event

Jul 2, 1505

Martin Luther gets caught in a Thunderstorm and almost dies and there in the middle of the wild devoted himself to God and became a monk.

Doctor

Oct 19, 1512

Became a Doctor in Theology

Life as a Monk

1513

Read the first line of Psalm 22, which told about Christ's struggles and cries on the Cross.

Luther's Change of Thought

1515

Luther realized the key to spiritual salvation was not to fear God or be enslaved by religion but to believe that faith alone would bring salvation.

Posting of the 95 Theses

Oct 31, 1517

Frustrated and Angered by Pope Leo X's new round of indulgences and furthered corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, Luther decided to make his move against the Church and nail his 95 theses on the doors of the University of Wittenberg Chapel

Luther's Attack on the Papacy

1519

The bible never gave the Pope the authority to interpret scripture.

Excommunication

Dec 10, 1520

The Pope issued an ultimatum to Luther that threatened Luther with Excommunication. Luther publicly burned the letter in January, 1521.

Official Excommunication

1521

Martin Luther was excommunicated.

Diet of Worms

1521

Martin Luther refused to recant his statements and teachings.

Edict of Worms

May 8, 1521

The Council of Worms banned Luther's writings and convicted him a heretic. He became a wanted man, and hid at Wartburg Castle.

Start of Lutheranism

1522

Still a wanted man, he returned to Wittenberg Castle Church, in Eisenach, Germany. There he organized a new Church.