Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk who became the father of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther criticised aspects of the Catholic Church and the concept of Papal infallibility. In particular, he believed that it was the Bible alone – and not priests or the Church – which had legitimacy for interpreting the word of Christ. Martin Luther also translated the bible into German, making it more accessible to the general public.
Short Biography of Martin Luther
Martin Luther was born 10 November 1483, in Eisleben, Saxony (modern day Germany). His father was relatively wealthy and paid for his son to gain an education in Magdeburg and Eisenach.
In 1501, Martin Luther became a student at the University of Erfurt. At the request of his father he took law, but he soon abandoned law, preferring to study Aristotle and the subjects of philosophy and theology. Despite admiring aspects of Aristotle and the classics, he was unsatisfied with just reason and intellectual studies and decided to become a monk so he could devote his life to God.
His time as a monk was challenging. Luther engaged in severe austerities – fasting, long hours of prayer and frequent confession, but he felt an inner spiritual dryness. He became very critical of his own failings and felt his sinful nature becoming magnified rather than transformed. Sharing his difficulties, his spiritual director gave him more work so he wouldn’t become so introspected.
As well as being aware of his own failing, he became increasingly concerned about malpractice within the church, which he felt was not in keeping with Biblical scripture. In 1510, he visited Rome on behalf of Augustinian monasteries and was shocked at the level of corruption he found.
In 1517, Martin Luther first protested to the Catholic church about the sale of indulgences. (Buying an indulgence gave the person full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven). Martin Luther argued that is was faith alone that could provide the remission of sin and not monetary payments to the church.
“We believe that the very beginning and end of salvation, and the sum of Christianity, consists of faith in Christ, who by His blood alone, and not by any works of ours, has put away sin, and destroyed the power of death.”
Quotes reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895).
95 Theses
On 31 October 1517, Luther posted ninety-five theses, criticising practices of the church on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. He also posted a handwritten copy to the Archbishop of Magdeburg, Albert of Mainz. The 95 theses of Martin Luther were critical of many practices relating to baptism and the sale of indulgences for the remittance of sin. He also indirectly challenged the Pope’s legitimacy, #86 included:
“Why does the pope, whose wealth today is greater than the wealth of the richest Crassus, build the basilica of Saint Peter with the money of poor believers rather than with his own money?” (95 Theses)
Within a few weeks, Martin Luther’s theses had spread throughout Germany becoming widely known. The church was also slow to respond to the criticisms of Martin Luther
During 1519-20, Martin Luther continued his crusading attack on the Church, developing his thoughts on what constituted ‘true Christianity’ Pamphlets included; ‘On Christian Liberty’, ‘On the Freedom of a Christian Man’, ‘To the Christian Nobility’ and ‘On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church’.
“Faith is born and preserved in us by preaching why Christ came, what he brought and gave to us, and the benefits we obtain when we receive him. This happens when Christian liberty—which he gives to us—is rightly taught and we are told in what way as Christians we are all kings and priests and therefore lords of all.”
Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian (1520)
Luther at Erfurt
The significance of these written challenges caused the church to eventually respond. On June 15, 1520, Pope Leo X issued a formal rebuttal to Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, a papal encyclical titled Exsurge Domine (“Arise, O Lord”)
However, by that time, the criticisms of Martin Luther had already been widely distributed and found a receptive audience. With the help of the newly invented printing presses, the Reformation movement gained in strength and popularity. The Catholic Church would never maintain the same unchallenged authority in Europe again. Across Europe, Luther’s challenge to the authority of the church led to new religious thinking and a desire to break away from the old church, creating a Christianity which returned to the purity of the Bible and diminishing the role of the Pope and priests.
Excommunication of Martin Luther
In 1520, Martin Luther was excommunicated for refusing to recant 41 sentences from his writings. In April 1521, the enforcement of banning Luther’s writings fell to the secular authorities. Luther acknowledged he was the author of the writings but again failed to recant them. Saying he would stand by them.
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me.” Amen.”
– Martin Luther, Statement in defense of his writings at the Diet of Worms (19 April 1521)
Luther was condemned as an outlaw and thereafter he feared for his life. However, he managed to remain hidden for several months, before returning to Wittenberg to preach more of his anti-clerical speeches and doctrines. In this period he also translated the Bible from Greek to German
Martin Luther also married an ex-nun thereby giving the seal of approval for clerical marriages in the Protestant tradition. With his wife, Katharina von Bora they had five children.
During 1524 – 1526, there was a widespread peasants revolt in Germany and Central Europe. The revolt, which had a mixture of economic, social and religious causes was often supported by Protestant clergy who emphasised the equality of all people. However, Martin Luther vigorously opposed the Revolt, writing a pamphlet Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants, which made his opposition clear.
From 1531–1546, Martin Luther’s health deteriorated as he sought to struggle with growing conflict in the Reformation Movement and the constant fear of arrest by the authorities. As his health deteriorated, Martin Luther’s writings became more polemic and vitriolic in condemnation of other people. In these final years, he spent more time writing anti-Semitic tracts. At first, he wished to see the Jewish people converted to Christianity. But, when they seemed uninterested in conversion, he called for the force-able removal of Jews from Germany. This strong anti-Semitic stance has coloured his reputation as a reformer.
However, by setting the seeds of the Protestant reformation, Martin Luther had a huge influence on the development of Western Society.
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