Martin Luther – A Brief Chronology
The European State of Affairs Prior to Martin Luther’s Birth
Prior to Martin Luther’s birth, Europe was suffering all sorts of issues ranging from the Black Death of 1347-51, (and even a century later, many areas were still recovering) to the emergence of early forms of capitalism. At this time, many rulers were trying to restrict the power of the nobles and a struggle regarding old and new wealth began to create social conflict. The people were feeling insecure and hope seemed only possible through the Church (meaning the Roman Catholic Church). But by the end of the 15th century, moral leadership of the Church leaders was called into question as they were trying to wield power like earthly kings. The papal court became corrupt through wealthy lifestyles and common people were burdened to meet the growing demands of the Church. Local priests were ill-trained thus rendering them unable to effectively bring the Good News of the Gospel to the suffering masses.
Enter Martin Luther
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 to Hans and Margaret Luther, in Eisleben, Germany. Hans had arose to middle-class prosperity in the copper mining industry. They wanted their eldest son to continue this climb so they provided a strict upbringing, as was custom during this time, to prepare young Luther for his upward climb. Luther’s parents believed a good education would be key to his success, so Luther plunged into his studies and he proved to be a good student. At seven years of age, he went to school to learn Latin. At age 15, his father sent him to Eisenach to further him on the academic ladder (a path to become a lawyer). During this time, he left Eisenach and moved in with an Italian family, where he became acquainted with music. As common with other kids of that day, he earned his bread by singing in the streets. He seemed to enjoy this and it’s not known whether he needed it more or less than others. At age 17, he entered the university at Erfurt and received his Bachelor of Arts degree and shortly following, he earned his Master of Arts degree.
Luther’s Pivotal Year
When Luther was just 21 years old, after a visit to his parents and while returning to school, a sudden bolt of lightning struck nearby, forcing him to the earth and in his shock, he cried out to one of the most popular saints of that day, “St. Anne help me! I will become a monk.”
It’s important to note that Luther was a sensitive youth and was plagued by his shortcomings to perfectly uphold God’s law. He deeply struggled with the fear of God’s wrath over the weight of his sins. In Luther’s day, medieval theology taught that living as a monk offered an assurance of entering heaven and Luther longed for that assurance.
Luther’s father wanted Martin to become a lawyer to secure the family’s status and wealth, so he was not pleased with his son’s decision, but Luther held steadfast and on July 17, 1505, he entered the Augustinian cloister at Erfurt, Germany (see photo).
Luther Journeys Onward with Study, Education, Travel and Finally, Breakthrough!
Between the years 1505 – 1511, upon being ordained as a Roman Catholic priest, Luther taught one semester at Wittenberg, returned to Erfurt, journeyed to Rome and transfered to Wittenberg. During the years 1512 – 1516, Luther earned his Doctor of Theology, lectured on Psalms, Romans (a book so important, he stated every Christian should know it word for word and ponder it daily) and Galatians.
Having witnessed the excesses, the ignorance and frivolity of the Italian priests in Rome, astonished and appalled him. The Church required individual sins to be accounted for one-by-one; and the practice of selling indulgences could mitigate how much time one would have to serve in purgatory prior to going on to heaven. While God knew the extent of one’s sins, the Church could tell to the day the length of time that stay in purgatory could be reduced. For example, should one view a holy relic such as a bone of a dead saint, thousands, or in some cases millions, of years could be removed from ones penalty and so it went. The faithful’s dead relatives could have their time in purgatory shortened by living relatives through indulgences as well. Even knowing and being exposed to all of this activity, Luther was not discouraged as he held fast to the goodness of the faithful.
At this same time, Luther was plagued by his own quest to confess and repent of each and every sin in order to please what he thought was an angry, vengeful God and to gain forgiveness.
Luther poured over the scriptures and lectured. Finally, at long last after endeavoring to understand St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, he experienced his major breakthrough.
He wrote, “…Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement that “the just shall live by his faith.” Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on new meaning, and whereas before the “justice of God” had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gate to heaven…”
October 31, 1517 – Luther Posts His Ninety-Five Theses
At the age of 34, Luther, having experienced all of the above and more; and having matured in his faith based upon the pure Gospel that affirms forgiveness of sins is only achieved by the grace of God made possible by the cross of Christ, Luther strongly believed discrepancies and practices in the Church that ignored and ran counter to Holy Scriptures, must be brought into question and corrected. In his lectures, he lashed out against the greed of the clergy, their ignorance of scripture and the evils that existed within the Church, while the faithful who trusted, were being sorely abused.
Luther’s strong conviction that the Church must change drove him to construct and nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church (see photo below). Posting notices on the Church door was a current practice at the time, but Luther posted his powerful Theses in Latin in an effort to spark a debate within the Church to correct the vast and blatant abuses of collecting indulgences and other distortions.
To say Luther’s Theses sparked a discussion would be an understatement. It ignited an avalanche! A little more than a century prior to Luther’s birth, the printing press had been invented and printers recognized how explosive Luther’s criticism of church practices could be for people who were already disenchanted with the Church’s wealth, power and lack of pastoral care and compassion. Luther’s Theses was translated into German so the people could read it for themselves.
Luther’s World Turns Upside Down
In 1518, Luther’s life took a tumultuous turn! During this year, in part, Luther was attacked by Church officials; the pope cited Luther to Rome; Luther appealed to Elector Frederick, Luther responded to his attackers; and by December 2, Luther was ready to go into exile, however, Frederick would not banish Luther.
In 1520, Luther’s back/forth struggle with the Church ramped, he lectured, published, and was promised a hearing; the battle raged and on November 12, Luther’s books were burned; Luther was invited to Worms to appear and to recant all of which the Church felt were his errors. On April 16, 1521, Luther arrived in Worms with hearings held the following two days and Luther was questioned and pressed to recant his teachings and works. Luther agreed to recant if what he has taught or written could be proven false by evidence found in the Holy Scriptures. As he believed it could not be proven, he refused and concluded with the words,
“Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
Luther understood the consequence of his refusal. He was declared a criminal and a heretic, was excommunicated and sentenced to death in April of 1521.
On April 26, Luther left Worms, assured by the emperor his safe conduct would last for three weeks. Luther’s wagon was “attacked” by a small group of knights. He grabbed his copies of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament, ran down the road to a waiting horse and disappeared into the woods. Frederick arranged for knights to take Luther to the Wartburg, (the elector’s castle – see photo) while disguised as a knight. Luther stayed there for nine months.
During his time at the Wartburg, Luther completed his translation of the New Testament into German in 11 weeks!
(He proceeded with his translation of the Old Testament more slowly, and it would take until 1534, before a complete German translation of the Bible was completed.)
Luther was restless at the Wartburg and longed to return to Wittenberg and without the Frederick’s permission, he returned for a week. He pushed for rapid reform, and finally he returned permanently. He donned his monastic robes and took his place at the pulpit of his now “protestant” church (“Protestant” meaning a church that seceded from the Church in Rome during the Reformation). See photo. On the First Sunday in Lent, 1522, he preached a series of sermons focused on God’s Law and Gospel, God’s forgiveness in Christ. Luther gained the allegiance of the people in Wittenberg.
Luther’s Future Events
The Reformation raged onward and Luther’s ongoing role in this protestant Reformation was large and widespread. Not only monks but also nuns were leaving the cloisters. In 1525, Luther was betrothed to Katherine von Bora, a former nun. Luther and Katherine (Katie) had six children.
Luther had a happy home life and a very busy pastoral life. (See photo, Luther’s home in Wittenberg.) Luther, the great Reformer, was a prolific writer, teacher, confessor and composer of Hymns. In 1527, he composed “A Mighty Fortress” and even though he had a happy home life, he suffered with intense depression and sickness.
In 1530, the Augsburg Confession (a carefully written document in which Lutheran laymen confessed to the emperor and the Roman Church what they believed, taught and confessed – the core of Lutheranism – which has never been withdrawn) was presented.
Luther, having traveled back to Eisleben on church business on February 18, 1546, at age 62, fell ill and died in the town where he was born.
It’s important to note not only the “Lutheran” church was born through this great Reformation, but other protestant churches as well, i.e., Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, etc. John Calvin, a powerful second generation Reformer, benefiting from the work of leaders such as Luther, and with great emphasis on education, helped to spread Presbyterianism worldwide. )
References:
· Here I Stand – A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton
· Luther, Pastor to God’s People by Robert Kolb
· Luther and Melanchthon rediscovered: A Guide – Historical sites of the Reformation, by Paul Metzger and Stefan Rhein
· Concordia Self-Study Bible – New International Version
· Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions – A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord
· Martin Luther by Carl E. Koppenhaver
· Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary
· Exploring Church History by Howard F. Vos
The European State of Affairs Prior to Martin Luther’s Birth
Prior to Martin Luther’s birth, Europe was suffering all sorts of issues ranging from the Black Death of 1347-51, (and even a century later, many areas were still recovering) to the emergence of early forms of capitalism. At this time, many rulers were trying to restrict the power of the nobles and a struggle regarding old and new wealth began to create social conflict. The people were feeling insecure and hope seemed only possible through the Church (meaning the Roman Catholic Church). But by the end of the 15th century, moral leadership of the Church leaders was called into question as they were trying to wield power like earthly kings. The papal court became corrupt through wealthy lifestyles and common people were burdened to meet the growing demands of the Church. Local priests were ill-trained thus rendering them unable to effectively bring the Good News of the Gospel to the suffering masses.
Enter Martin Luther
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 to Hans and Margaret Luther, in Eisleben, Germany. Hans had arose to middle-class prosperity in the copper mining industry. They wanted their eldest son to continue this climb so they provided a strict upbringing, as was custom during this time, to prepare young Luther for his upward climb. Luther’s parents believed a good education would be key to his success, so Luther plunged into his studies and he proved to be a good student. At seven years of age, he went to school to learn Latin. At age 15, his father sent him to Eisenach to further him on the academic ladder (a path to become a lawyer). During this time, he left Eisenach and moved in with an Italian family, where he became acquainted with music. As common with other kids of that day, he earned his bread by singing in the streets. He seemed to enjoy this and it’s not known whether he needed it more or less than others. At age 17, he entered the university at Erfurt and received his Bachelor of Arts degree and shortly following, he earned his Master of Arts degree.
Luther’s Pivotal Year
When Luther was just 21 years old, after a visit to his parents and while returning to school, a sudden bolt of lightning struck nearby, forcing him to the earth and in his shock, he cried out to one of the most popular saints of that day, “St. Anne help me! I will become a monk.”
It’s important to note that Luther was a sensitive youth and was plagued by his shortcomings to perfectly uphold God’s law. He deeply struggled with the fear of God’s wrath over the weight of his sins. In Luther’s day, medieval theology taught that living as a monk offered an assurance of entering heaven and Luther longed for that assurance.
Luther’s father wanted Martin to become a lawyer to secure the family’s status and wealth, so he was not pleased with his son’s decision, but Luther held steadfast and on July 17, 1505, he entered the Augustinian cloister at Erfurt, Germany (see photo).
Luther Journeys Onward with Study, Education, Travel and Finally, Breakthrough!
Between the years 1505 – 1511, upon being ordained as a Roman Catholic priest, Luther taught one semester at Wittenberg, returned to Erfurt, journeyed to Rome and transfered to Wittenberg. During the years 1512 – 1516, Luther earned his Doctor of Theology, lectured on Psalms, Romans (a book so important, he stated every Christian should know it word for word and ponder it daily) and Galatians.
Having witnessed the excesses, the ignorance and frivolity of the Italian priests in Rome, astonished and appalled him. The Church required individual sins to be accounted for one-by-one; and the practice of selling indulgences could mitigate how much time one would have to serve in purgatory prior to going on to heaven. While God knew the extent of one’s sins, the Church could tell to the day the length of time that stay in purgatory could be reduced. For example, should one view a holy relic such as a bone of a dead saint, thousands, or in some cases millions, of years could be removed from ones penalty and so it went. The faithful’s dead relatives could have their time in purgatory shortened by living relatives through indulgences as well. Even knowing and being exposed to all of this activity, Luther was not discouraged as he held fast to the goodness of the faithful.
At this same time, Luther was plagued by his own quest to confess and repent of each and every sin in order to please what he thought was an angry, vengeful God and to gain forgiveness.
Luther poured over the scriptures and lectured. Finally, at long last after endeavoring to understand St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, he experienced his major breakthrough.
He wrote, “…Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement that “the just shall live by his faith.” Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on new meaning, and whereas before the “justice of God” had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gate to heaven…”
October 31, 1517 – Luther Posts His Ninety-Five Theses
At the age of 34, Luther, having experienced all of the above and more; and having matured in his faith based upon the pure Gospel that affirms forgiveness of sins is only achieved by the grace of God made possible by the cross of Christ, Luther strongly believed discrepancies and practices in the Church that ignored and ran counter to Holy Scriptures, must be brought into question and corrected. In his lectures, he lashed out against the greed of the clergy, their ignorance of scripture and the evils that existed within the Church, while the faithful who trusted, were being sorely abused.
Luther’s strong conviction that the Church must change drove him to construct and nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church (see photo below). Posting notices on the Church door was a current practice at the time, but Luther posted his powerful Theses in Latin in an effort to spark a debate within the Church to correct the vast and blatant abuses of collecting indulgences and other distortions.
To say Luther’s Theses sparked a discussion would be an understatement. It ignited an avalanche! A little more than a century prior to Luther’s birth, the printing press had been invented and printers recognized how explosive Luther’s criticism of church practices could be for people who were already disenchanted with the Church’s wealth, power and lack of pastoral care and compassion. Luther’s Theses was translated into German so the people could read it for themselves.
Luther’s World Turns Upside Down
In 1518, Luther’s life took a tumultuous turn! During this year, in part, Luther was attacked by Church officials; the pope cited Luther to Rome; Luther appealed to Elector Frederick, Luther responded to his attackers; and by December 2, Luther was ready to go into exile, however, Frederick would not banish Luther.
In 1520, Luther’s back/forth struggle with the Church ramped, he lectured, published, and was promised a hearing; the battle raged and on November 12, Luther’s books were burned; Luther was invited to Worms to appear and to recant all of which the Church felt were his errors. On April 16, 1521, Luther arrived in Worms with hearings held the following two days and Luther was questioned and pressed to recant his teachings and works. Luther agreed to recant if what he has taught or written could be proven false by evidence found in the Holy Scriptures. As he believed it could not be proven, he refused and concluded with the words,
“Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
Luther understood the consequence of his refusal. He was declared a criminal and a heretic, was excommunicated and sentenced to death in April of 1521.
On April 26, Luther left Worms, assured by the emperor his safe conduct would last for three weeks. Luther’s wagon was “attacked” by a small group of knights. He grabbed his copies of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament, ran down the road to a waiting horse and disappeared into the woods. Frederick arranged for knights to take Luther to the Wartburg, (the elector’s castle – see photo) while disguised as a knight. Luther stayed there for nine months.
During his time at the Wartburg, Luther completed his translation of the New Testament into German in 11 weeks!
(He proceeded with his translation of the Old Testament more slowly, and it would take until 1534, before a complete German translation of the Bible was completed.)
Luther was restless at the Wartburg and longed to return to Wittenberg and without the Frederick’s permission, he returned for a week. He pushed for rapid reform, and finally he returned permanently. He donned his monastic robes and took his place at the pulpit of his now “protestant” church (“Protestant” meaning a church that seceded from the Church in Rome during the Reformation). See photo. On the First Sunday in Lent, 1522, he preached a series of sermons focused on God’s Law and Gospel, God’s forgiveness in Christ. Luther gained the allegiance of the people in Wittenberg.
Luther’s Future Events
The Reformation raged onward and Luther’s ongoing role in this protestant Reformation was large and widespread. Not only monks but also nuns were leaving the cloisters. In 1525, Luther was betrothed to Katherine von Bora, a former nun. Luther and Katherine (Katie) had six children.
Luther had a happy home life and a very busy pastoral life. (See photo, Luther’s home in Wittenberg.) Luther, the great Reformer, was a prolific writer, teacher, confessor and composer of Hymns. In 1527, he composed “A Mighty Fortress” and even though he had a happy home life, he suffered with intense depression and sickness.
In 1530, the Augsburg Confession (a carefully written document in which Lutheran laymen confessed to the emperor and the Roman Church what they believed, taught and confessed – the core of Lutheranism – which has never been withdrawn) was presented.
Luther, having traveled back to Eisleben on church business on February 18, 1546, at age 62, fell ill and died in the town where he was born.
It’s important to note not only the “Lutheran” church was born through this great Reformation, but other protestant churches as well, i.e., Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, etc. John Calvin, a powerful second generation Reformer, benefiting from the work of leaders such as Luther, and with great emphasis on education, helped to spread Presbyterianism worldwide. )
References:
· Here I Stand – A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H. Bainton
· Luther, Pastor to God’s People by Robert Kolb
· Luther and Melanchthon rediscovered: A Guide – Historical sites of the Reformation, by Paul Metzger and Stefan Rhein
· Concordia Self-Study Bible – New International Version
· Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions – A Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord
· Martin Luther by Carl E. Koppenhaver
· Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary
· Exploring Church History by Howard F. Vos
