Martin Luther

Birth of Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483, to Hans Luder and Margarethe. He was born in Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, in the Holy Roman Empire.

Receives Degree

1502

Martin Luther receives a liberal arts degree, a master’s degree and begins law school.

Abandons the law

Jul 17, 1505

He abruptly abandons law school and enters a monastery after a violent thunderstorm frightens him so badly that he vows to become a monk if he survives.

Dr. Martin Luther

1512

Luther receives his doctorate and becomes a professor of biblical studies. He begins to publish his writings on religion.

Bible Teachings

Period: 1513 to 1516

Between 1513 and 1516, Martin Luther taught the bible.

Mid-Life Crisis

Oct 31, 1517

Luther finds out that another religious leader has supposedly told followers that buying an indulgence causes God to forgive a person’s sins. Luther writes the Ninety-five Theses, a document that explains why indulgences are wrong. Luther posts the Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Schlosskirche, Wittenberg, on October 31. This event will come to be considered the beginning of the Protestant Reformation

Turning Point

1519

Rome dispatched high-ranking clergy and theologians to debate Luther in disputations and offer him the opportunity to retract or mollify his views at Leipzig in July 1519. This was a turning point. Luther stood his ground in what was interpreted as a direct challenge to papal authority. Pope Leo was urged to issue the papal bull, or edict, condemning Luther's views as heresy and threatening him with excommunication.

Luther Condones Public Arson

1520

The pope issues a document that warns Luther to recant, or take back what he said. Luther publicly sets it on fire.

Bye Bye Luther

1521

The pope formally throws Luther out of the church saying Luther is a heretic—an outlaw who should be captured and burned to death.

Diet of the Worms

Apr 17, 1521

Luther appears at an official meeting called the Diet of Worms in Germany. He refuses to declare that the books he has published are wrong unless someone can find evidence in the Bible that he is wrong. Luther is declared an outlaw once again after the Diet of Worms adjourns. Frederick III of Saxony keeps Luther in hiding for the better part of a year. During this period Luther begins to translate the New Testament into German.

The Return of the King

1522

Luther returns to Lutherstadt Wittenberg and sets off a series of theological and social reforms, such as education for all. He encourages musicians and poets to write music and hymns for church services.