Christian Reformers And Mystics Codexery

Martin Luther

German theologian who sparked the Protestant Reformation.

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Martin Luther was a German priest, theologian, and former Augustinian friar born 10 November 1483 who became the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation.[1] Luther's theological views are the foundation of Lutheranism, and he is regarded as a highly significant person in both Western and Christian history.[1][2]

Life and work

Luther was born to Hans Luder and Margarethe in Eisleben, and his family moved to Mansfeld in 1484 where his father worked as a leaseholder of copper mines.[3][4] He entered the University of Erfurt in 1501 and received his master's degree in 1505, then enrolled in law at his father's wish but dropped out almost immediately.[5][6] On 2 July 1505, a lightning bolt struck near him during a thunderstorm, and he cried out to Saint Anna that he would become a monk.[7] He entered St Augustine's Monastery in Erfurt on 17 July 1505 and dedicated himself to the Augustinian order with fasting, prayer, and confession.[8][9]

Luther began teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1508 and was awarded his Doctor of Theology on 19 October 1512.[10] He succeeded von Staupitz as chair of theology on 21 October 1512 and spent the rest of his career in this position.[11] A letter objecting to indulgence sales was sent by Luther to his bishop on 31 October 1517, and with it he included his Ninety-five Theses.[12]

What the cited sources add

The Edict of Worms, issued on May 25, 1521, banned Luther's writings and labeled him a heretic and enemy of the state.[13] Church officials convinced Charles V that Luther was a threat and persuaded him to authorize condemnation by the Empire.[13] Luther escaped arrest and remained in seclusion at Wartburg castle where he continued to write and translate the Bible into German.[13] In a letter dated 1 August 1521 and addressed to Melanchthon, Luther wrote: "Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world."[14]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Luther" . Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.; Hendrix, "Martin Luther: Visionary Reformer", Yale University Press, 2015, p. 17; Luther consistently referred to himself as a former monk. For example: "Thus formerly, when I was a monk, I used to hope that I would be able to pacify my consc (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hillerbrand, "Martin Luther", Encyclopædia Britannica, 14 February 2024; Nelson, "Lutheranism and the Nordic Spirit of Social Democracy: A Different Protestant Ethic", Aarhus University Press, 2017, p. 64 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 1. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Brecht, Martin. Martin Luther. tr. James L. Schaaf, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985–93, 1:3–5.; "Martin Luther | Biography, Reformation, Works, & Facts", 17 May 2023; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 1.; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 1. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 4.; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 4.; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 5. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 5.; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 5.; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 5.; Marty, Martin. Martin Luther. Viking Penguin, 2004, p. 6. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Brecht, Martin. Martin Luther. tr. James L. Schaaf, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985–93, 1:48.; Brecht, "Google Books Archive of Martin Luther: His road to Reformation, 1483–1521 (By Martin Brecht)", Fortress Press, 1985 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Schwiebert, E.G. Luther and His Times. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1950, 136. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand: a Life of Martin Luther. New York: Penguin, 1995, 40–42. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  10. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand: a Life of Martin Luther. New York: Penguin, 1995, 44–45.; Brecht, Martin. Martin Luther. tr. James L. Schaaf, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985–93, 1:93. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  11. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Brecht, Martin. Martin Luther. tr. James L. Schaaf, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985–93, 1:112–127.; Hendrix, "Martin Luther: Visionary Reformer", Yale University Press, 2015, p. 44 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  12. Wikipedia, "Martin Luther" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hillerbrand, Hans J. "Martin Luther: Indulgences and salvation," Encyclopædia Britannica, 2007.; Hillerbrand, Hans J. "Martin Luther: Indulgences and salvation," Encyclopædia Britannica, 2007. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  13. Bratcher, Dennis. "The Diet of Worms (1521) ," in The Voice: Biblical and Theological Resources for Growing Christians. Retrieved 13 July 2007.. facts only, no text reused. crivoice.org
  14. Martin Luther, "Let Your Sins Be Strong," a Letter From Luther to Melanchthon , August 1521, Project Wittenberg, retrieved 1 October 2006.. facts only, no text reused. ProjectWittenberg.org

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Martin Luther (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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