martin luther

  • 1483

    Martin Luther Born

    Martin Luther Born
    On November 10th, 1483, Martin Luther was born in modern-day Germany.
  • 1502

    University of Erfurt

    University of Erfurt
    Martin Luther goes away to study at the University of Erfurt, a very religious city in Germany. He received a master's degree, and later a bachelor's degree.
  • 1505

    Becomes a monk

    Becomes a monk
    Martin Luther is in a near-death experience, in which he promised to devote his life to God and become a monk if he is saved. He studies in Erfurt and joins the Augustian Order
  • 1512

    Doctor of Theology

    Doctor of Theology
    Martin Luther is awarded his Doctor of Theology while studying in Wittenberg.
  • Period: 1513 to 1516

    Corruption of the Church

    Martin Luther spends this time with the Catholic church. Throughout studying with it, he learns of the sale of indulgences and how corrupted the church really is. He is disgusted by this unholiness and begins to grow disdain for the Catholic church.
  • 1517

    95 Thesis

    95 Thesis
    On October 31st of 1517, Martin Luther wrote his 95 Thesis on his criticisms of the church, especially the selling of indulgences. He goes to nail this on Witternbergs Church.
  • 1517

    Spreading of the 95 Thesis

    Spreading of the 95 Thesis
    Not too many years earlier, Gutenberg had perfected the printing press. Thanks to this invention, Martin Luther's 95 Thesis spread across the whole of Europe like a wildfire.
  • 1519

    Leipzig Disputation

    Leipzig Disputation
    Taking place in Pleissenberg Castle in Germany, this event was lead by Pope Leo X. This was a debate held between the Pope and Luther regarding the Catholic church where Luther was threatened to being censored and excommunicated.
  • 1520

    Excommunication

    Excommunication
    Martin Luther is excommunicated by the Catholic church for "heresy." Excommunication is when one is "officially" banned from Heaven in the Christian faith. Luther does not mind, as he does not have faith in the Catholic church.
  • 1520

    More critisism

    More critisism
    In 1520, Martin Luther wrote more criticisms of the Catholic church, including "on Christian Liberty," and "On the Freedom to a Christian Man." Like his 95 Thesis, these other writings spread across Europe.
  • 1521

    Diet of Worms

    Diet of Worms
    As Luthers' 95 Thesis began to become banned, he was ordered before the Diet of Worms. This was a general assembly of Holy Roman Empire nations that took place in the city of worms. During this assembly, Martin Luther is listed as an outlaw.
  • 1521

    Edict of Worms

    Edict of Worms
    Emperor Charles V enacts the Edict of Worms, which listed Martin Luther as an outlaw and banned his 95 Thesis and other writings
  • 1522

    Returning

    Returning
    After being banned by the state in 1521, Martin Luther returns the next year to Wittenberg in 1522. He continues to preach against the Catholic church and its unholiness.