Martin Luther

1483 - Birth of Luther

1483

Martin Luther was born and baptized in Eisleben, County of Mansfeld in the Holy Roman Empire on November 10th, 1483. His parents were determined and hardworking people and they cared tremendously for Martin's education in hopes that he'd one day be a lawyer.

1502 - Receives Baccalaureate Degree

1502

Martin Luther receives his baccalaureate degree for his study of liberal arts at the University of Erfurt. This education gave him a great understanding of scholasticism, though he did not like the community because of the ubiquitous drinking and prostitution.

1505 - Receives Master's Degree and Decides to be a Monk

1505

The plague struck Erfurt and 3 of Luther's friends pass away. He is so deeply moved that he abandons his father's wishes for him to study law and turns to monasticism. This happened when he was caught in a massive thunderstorm and so terrified that he vowed his life to serve God if only He would spare him from the storm.

1512 - Received Doctorate and Publishes Many Written Works

1512

Luther received his doctorate at the Wittenberg monastery and became a professor of Biblical studies through the Augustinian Order. He began to publish many written works such as, "Disputation Against Scholastic Theology"

1513 - 1516 Promoted to Provincial Vicar, and engaged in self persecution

1513

Luther was promoted by his devotion to monasticism. He was increasingly concerned with his works and that he could never earn his salvation. This laid the foundations for his revelation that salvation is gained by faith in Christ alone; Not by good works or deeds.

1517 - Nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg

1517

Martin Luther became so furious with people like Johann Tetzel promoting the sale of indulgences and other corrupt acts of the church that he wrote up 95 theses and nailed them to the doors of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg as a way of calling the church to accountability and reform.

1518 - Salvation by Faith, Not Works!

1518

Luther dramatically and radically changed Christianity forever by asserting that the only correct Biblical view is that humans' salvation is achieved by faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by any good works. It is wholly by the grace of God that we are saved, and not by anything humans can contribute.

1519 - Public Debate; He wrote pamphlets

1519

Martin Luther agreed to a public debate about theology, he gets dragged into a lot of drama concerning his views, etc. During this time he continued to write many pamphlets and religious works regarding his new beliefs.

1520 - Luther publicly burns the Papal Bull

1520

Luther's teachings were called heretical in the Papal Bull of Pope Leo X, so Luther decides to go to the town square and publicly burn it for all to see.

1521 - Martin Luther is Excommunicated from the Catholic Church, Diet of Worms

1521

Luther is formally considered a heretic and is excommunicated from the Catholic Church. People want a more fair trial/hearing so the Diet of Worms takes place. In the hearing, Luther admits to using inappropriate language in his written works, though he will not recant his points.

1522 - Preached Invocavit Sermons

1522

Luther secretly went back to Wittenberg in a disguise and preached sermons during the 8 days of lent, called the Invocavit Sermons. He also encourages social reforms like education for all and new musical hymns for churches