Martin Luther

The Early Life Of Martin Luther.

Born in 1483, Eisleben, Germany.

Born to Hans (Businessman) and Margaretta(Home-Maid)

He had other 7 siblings.

At age of 5 started his primary education.

At 13 he moved to a school run by brethren of the common life.

Here Luther developed his early interest in Monastic Life.

Martin Luther Enters Monastic Life.

Hans Luther wanted Martin to be a Lawyer.

But Martin opted monastic life.

But Hans didn’t agree, so he changed his schooling to Eisenach.

1501, he enrolled to the University of Erfurt.

1505, July he was struck by a lightening, which he realized as a sign from God to

Join Monastic Life.

1505, July 17 he Joined Augustinian Monastery, turning back from his studies.

Monastic Life

He lived religious life and also continued his studies.

1510, he took a break from his education to serve German Augustinian

Monasteries.

1512, he received a doctorate in theology.

Martin Luther A Successful Monk of the

‘Time’.

He plunged into spiritual activities.

He was proud as he commented later, "If anyone could have earned heaven by the

life of a monk, it was I”.

But he didn’t find any consolation.

He was terrified of the wrath of God.

Martin Luther’s Transformation in Mind.

In early 16th centaury some theologians started questioning the teachings of the

church.

Bible and other Writings (specially St. Augustine’s) became more available in this

period.

St. Augustine emphasized on the primacy of the Bible rather than the Church

officials as the religious authority.

Catholic church’s teaching good works- salvation.

Catholic priests immoral way of life.

Martins Mind Being Provoked….

During this tie granting indulgence became corrupt.

Indulgence selling banned in Germany.

But the practice continued….

1517 a friar , Johann Tetzel began to sell indulgence in Germany for the renovation

of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

A very short description of early protestant

reformation.

The actual call for reform began from 1330 CE.

1. John Wycliffe (1330-1384)

He questioned the authority of the pope.

2. Jan Hus (1370-1415)

Criticized the vast wealth of the Church

3. Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1536)

Attacked corruption in the Church

The Protest Against the Church….

By this time Martin Luther became attracted to the bible verse Romans 1:17.

The idea for reformation- the need for reformation.

Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of

indulgence (THE 95 THESIS).

1517, October 31 on the door of Wittenberg Castle Church.

A list of 95 questions and propositions for debate.

It was an announcing of the discussion he was organizing.

This 95 thesis was in a very academic tone, questioning than accusing.

It was provocative.

The first two of the Thesis explains about the central idea of Martin’s whole thesis.

(God intended believers repentance and faith alone not deeds, would lead to

salvation.)

The other 93 thesis deals about practice of indulgence and supporting the first two.

The 95 Thesis can be summarized:

Selling indulgences to finance the building of St. Peter's is wrong.

The pope has no power over Purgatory.

Buying indulgences gives people a false sense of security and endangers their

salvation.

Luther Being Excommunicated.

The 95 thesis spread around the world.

In October 1518, meeting with Cardinal Thomas Cajetan, he was ordered to recant

95 thesis, by the authority of Pope.

This initiated his excommunication.

He continued his lectures and writings to the different parts of the world.

He printed and spread it, this gave him more followers.

On June 15 1520, ultimatum threatening Luther with excommunication, December

10 he burned it in public.

January 1521, he was officially excommunicated.

Before the Diet Of Worms.

He was summoned before the Diet of Worms, a general assembly of secular

authorities.

They compelled to recant his thesis.

He didn’t.

MARTIN LUTHER‘WANTED’ .

May 8th 1521, banned all his writing declared wanted.

He hid.

Translated New Testament to German.

Claimed everyone has the right to read Bible(before it was only in Latin)

Back To Wittenberg; Beginning of

Lutheranism.

May 1522 he returned to Wittenberg.

Began organizing new church.

German princes supported him.

He attracted people through social works specially in peasant revolt in 1524- 25.

Many followers across the country and world.

Married Katherine von Bora, a former nun.

Later Years.

From 1546 to till death, dean of theology at university of Wittenberg.

Full of pain and illness.

Died on February 18, 1546.