About Martin Luther

1483

Born at Eisleben, Germany on 10th November
(Image: Luther's Birth House)

1484

Parents, Hans and Margaretha Luder, move the family to Mansfield, Germany, where Hans works in the copper mines.
(Image: Hans and Margaretha Luder)

1492

Martin attends school in Mansfield, Germany.

1497

Martin attends school in Magdeburg, Germany.

1498

Martin attends school in Eisenach, Germany.

1501

Martin then enters University of Erfurt.
(Image: University of Erfurt)

1502

He received a BA degree at Erfurt.

1505

He receives a MA degree at Erfurt and begins studies in Law. During a thunderstorm on 2nd July a bolt of lightning nearly strikes him, causing him to vow to become a monk. Martin then enters the order of Augustinian Hermits.
(Image: Martin Luther as a Monk)

1507

Martin is ordained and celebrates his first mass.

1509

He becomes a bachelor of the Bible.

1510

Martin Luther visits Rome.

1511

He is transferred to the Augustinian house at Wittenberg, Germany.
(Image: Augustinian House)

1512

At Wittenberg, he becomes a Doctor of Theology.

1513

Martin Luther starts to lecture on the Psalms.

1515

He lectures on Romans and is appointed Vicar over 10 Monasteries.

1517

Martin begins lecturing on Hebrews. On 31st October, he posts 95 Theses on the use of Indulgences.

1518

At a meeting of Augustinians in Heidelberg, Germany, he defends his theogoly. In October, Martin appears before Cardinal Cajetan at Augsburg. Frederick the Wise protects Luther from being handed over to Rome.

1519

Luther understands the 'righteousness of God' as 'passive righteousness with which God justifies us by faith'. In July, he debates with Professor John Eck at Leipzig and denies the supreme authority of popes and councils.

1521

Papal bull Exsurge Domine gives Luther 60 days to recant or be excommunicated. As a result, Luther writes 3 seminal documents: 'To the Christian nobility', 'On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church' and 'The Freedom of a Christian'. He burns the papal bull and canon law. Martin Luther is then excommunicated by the papal bull Decet Romananum pontificem. At the Diet of Worms in April, he refuses to recant writings, and Edicts condemns him in May as a heretic and outlaw. He is 'kidnapped' and hidden at Wartburg Castle and begins translating the New Testament.
(Image: Wartburg Castle)

1523

Luther writes on Temporal Authority.

1524

He debates with Karlstadt on the Lord's Supper. Luther's former superior, Staupitz, dies.

1525

Martin Luther writes against the heavenly Prophets. He also writes against robbing and murdering Hordes, critising the Peasants' Revolt. Martin marries Katherine von Bora. He writes 'Bondage of the Will' against Erasmus.
(Image: Katherine von Bora)

1526

He writes a German Mass. Martin and Katherine become parents on the 7th June to son Hans.

1527

Martin fights sickness and intense depression. He writes "A Mighty Fortress", and his daughter Elizabeth is born on 10th December.
(Image: A Mighty Fortress with Luther's signature)

1528

Luther writes the "Great Confession Concerning Christ's Supper". He greives over Elizabeth who dies on 3rd August.

1529

Martin attends Marburg Colloquy with Zwingli, but no agreement is reached on the Lord's Supper. He publishes a Large Catechism and Small Catechism. Their daughter Magdalena is born on 4th May.

1530

Luther's father Hans dies. Luther, as an outlaw, cannot attend the Diet of Augsburg, which was held in an attempt to end the religious division in the empire. Melanchton presents the Augsburg Confession which is a statement of Lutheran beliefs.
(Image: Coburg Castle where the Diet of Augsburg was held)

1531

Martin Luther begins lecturing on Galatians. Their son Martin is born and Martin's mother dies.

1533

Their son Paul is born on 28th January

1534

Martin Luther publishes the German Bible. Their daughter Margaret is born on 17th December.
(Image: The German Bible)

1536

He agrees to the Wittenberg Concord on the Lord's Supper in an attempt to resolve differences with other reformers, but Zwinglians do not accept it.
(Image: Huldrych Zwingli)

1537

Luther draws up Schmalkaldic Articles as his 'theological last will and testament'.

1538

Martin Luther writes against the Jews in 'Against the Sabbatarians".

1539

He writes 'On the Councils and the Church'.

1541

Luther writes the 'Admonition to Prayer' against the Turks.
(Image: Luther's Study at Wittenberg)

1542

Martin Luther drafts his will. His daughter Magdalena dies after a prolonged illness on 20th September.

1543

Luther writes on the Jews and their Lies.

1544

He writes against Schwenckfeld's interpretation of the Lord's Supper

1545

Martin writes 'Against the Papacy at Rome; an Institution of the Devil'.

1546

Martin Luther dies in Eisleben on 18th February.

1552

Katherine von Bora dies on 20th December.

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