Timeline: Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Birth

Martin Luther is born in Eisleben, Germany.

1501

School

enters the University of Erfurt (accordance with his father's will for him to become a lawyer)

Jun 2, 1505

Became a monk

A bolt of lightening knocks Luther to the ground and Luther interprets this as a sign that he should become a monk. He takes his monastic vows 2 weeks later at an Augustinian cloister.

1507

Became a priest

Luther becomes an ordained priest.

1508

Instructor

Luther earns a degree in Biblical studies from the University of Wittenberg. He becomes an instructor at the university.

1510

Travel to Rome

Luther travels to Rome where he becomes disillusioned with the incompetence, flippancy, and immorality of the Italian clergy.

1512

Professor Luther?

Luther becomes a professor of theology (the Doctor in Bible) at the University of Wittenberg.

1513

The studies

Luther studies the Bible and prepares series of lectures on Psalms, Romans, and Galatians. Luther gains a new understanding of Paul's message and begins to see Faith as a gift from God, not as an achievement. He rejects the prevailing view of a capricious God. The theology of Paul from this time on is Luther's pole star.

1516

Luther's doubt

Pope Leo X begins to sell indulgences. On October 31, the eve of All Saints Day, Luther delivers a sermon critical of the practice of selling indulgences. Remission of sins, in Luther's view, depended on personal confession and contrition. Luther also doubted the power of the Pope to release a soul from purgatory.

Oct 31, 1517

The 95 Theses

Luther, upset with the practice of selling indulgences, send a letter to Albrecht, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, questioning that and numerous other practices of the Catholic Church. The letter comes to be known as The 95 Theses. Although there is some doubt as to the matter, the 95 Theses were probably also posted on the door of All Saint's Church ("Castle Church") in Wittenberg.

2018