Martin Luther

Birth

1483

The theologian and religious reformer is born in Eisleben, Saxony. He is born to Hans and Margarethe Luther on November 10th.

Baccalaureate degree

1502

Got his degree from the University of Erfurt, in Germany. It was one of the most distinguished in the country at the time.

Catalyst of change

1505

After receiving his master's degree, he gives up on law and joins the Order of the Hermits of Saint Augustine. This happened because he became so terrified during a severe thunderstorm, that he proclaimed he would become a monk if he survived.

Doctorate

1512

He receives his doctorate in the fall and becomes a professor of biblical studies. He also began to publish theological writings.

Teaching

Period: 1513 to 1516

He taught several biblical books to his students. It was said by his students, that he was very invigorating during his lectures.

Ninety-five Theses

1517

He drafted a document for the purpose of holding an academic debate on indulgences at the University of Wittenberg. This came about after Johann Tetzel was reported to have preached that the buying of indulgences led to forgiveness of sins.

The Vatican is Not Happy

1517

The Vatican saw this document as a power move, and said it questioned the authority of the Pope. Obviously, the higher up powers were not very happy with these new ideas.

The Debate

1519

Andreas Bodenstein von Carlstadt, Johann Eck, and Martin Luther agreed to a public debate because the whole thing was still considered an academic matter. This took place in Leipzig in June.

Orthodoxy is examined

1520

Two separate groups examined his claims, and came to two different conclusions. One group said his claims were heretical, and the other said they were merely scandalous and offensive, but not heretical.

Condemned

1520

His writing was examined again and determined to be heretical. Thus, the "Exsurge Domine" was issued, and he was given 60 days to recant it, and another 60 to report his recanting.

Excommunicated

1521

The ensuing document, "Decet Romanum Pontificem", declared that he was a heretic and had him excommunicated. Due to the government at that point though, he was owed a trial despite the claims that a heretic did not deserve one.

Worms

1521

Despite the debate over his trial, he was invited to Worms to settle the dispute of him being a heretic. While there he refused to admit that his writing were wrong unless they contradicted any scriptures. Due ot this, he was found guilty.

The Return

1522

By the time Luther came back to Wittenberg, the effort to bring about reform had caused riots. He believed change should come about slowly over time, and thus he repressed the riots for a short period of time. After this his influence slowly dwindled down to nothing within society.