Martin Luther By: Amy Montano W. Stiern Middle School Ms. Marshall 2009-2010 Standard HSS 7.9

Early Life Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in the city of Eisleben in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany to Margaret Ziegler Luther and Hans Luther. He was baptized the day after his birth on the feast of St. Martin of Tours. In fact, this is where Luther acquired his name. Luther was baptized at the Church of St. Peter in Eisleben by the parish priest St. Bartholomew Rennebrecher. The family of Luther’s first lived in the city of Eisleben. However, they soon moved to Mansfield because “Eisleben did not satisfy the hopes of the family.” Hans and Margaret Luther

Interests Having grown up a peasant, Hans Luther wanted his son to prosper. Luther was sent to Latin school in Mansfield and also other schools in Madeburg and Eisenach. Martin Luther attended the University of Efurt when he was seventeen years old in 1501. A year later, Luther received his Bachelor’s degree. Before attending Latin school in his home town Mansfield, Luther attended a boarding school in Madeburg. This was in 1497.

Life After College Martin Luther encountered a thunderstorm in the summer of 1505, as he was returning home from school. When a lightning bolt struck right next to him, Luther yelled out and said, “Help me, St. Anne, and I’ll become a monk!” Since he had escaped and survived the thunderstorm, he decided to keep his promise and become a monk. This caused Martin Luther to leave school. Being uncertain with matters of his own personal salvation, Luther sought for an understanding through confession, fasting, and flagellation. However, this increased his need and urge to find betterment of his relationship with God.

Life After College University of Efurt As Martin Luther tried to devote himself to God, he became more cognizant of his sins and wrongdoings. Luther’s elder, Johann von Staupitz, believed Luther required more labor to keep him from thinking. This was why Martin Luther was to go after and academic career. Luther began his theological studies at the University of Efurt in 1507. Martin Luther started teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1508. On March 9, 1508, Luther received his Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. In 1509 he earned a Bachelor’s degree in the Sentence by Peter Lombard, which was the central textbook of theological matters in the medieval period. University of Efurt

Life After College Martin Luther also earned the degree of Doctor of Theology on October 19, 1512. He received the degree from the University of Wittenburg. Luther would study the Scriptures deeply. His studies lead him to believe the Church did not see several truths anymore. Having peace with God was one of the most important beliefs to Luther. Martin Luther believed that salvation and the grace of God was the basis of faith. He believed this was God’s labor from the start to finish.

Ninety-Five Theses On October 3, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses that went against the many things he saw wrong with the Catholic Church. He nailed the 95 Theses to the castle church door in Wittenberg. The 95 Theses actually had a name – Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences. The Pope even received a copy and when he reviewed the Theses, he said to have questioned,” What drunken German monk wrote these?” The Diet of Worms and Augsburg then followed in where Luther was called a heretic, his books were banned, and where he disappeared afterward.

The Final Acts Luther was the first to translate the Bible in German. The complete German language Bible was available in 1534. Luther also wrote books. His books give information about the epistles and the books in the Bible. Luther’s writing were what some people considered uncivilized and crude. Martin Luther also expressed his frustrations and emotions in his writings.

The Final Acts Martin Luther died on February 18,1546 from natural causes. He lived a very productive life that can be said to be one of the most important lives of the religious history of the world.

Bibliography C.D. Merriman. “Martin Luther.” Martin Luther- Biography and Works. 2000-2010. Jalic Inc. February 24, 2010. http://www.online-literature.com/martin-luther/ “Martin Luther” Martin Luther. 1997-2008. Greatsite Marketing. February 8, 2010. http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/martin-luther.html “Luther’s Parents” Martin Luther . The Characters . Luther’s Parents PBS. Devillier Donegon Enterprises. March 6, 2010. http://www.Pbs.org/empires/martinluther/char_parents.html “Biography of Martin Luther.” Martin Luther – ReligionFacts 2004-2009 ReligionFacts April 1, 2010 http://religionfacts.com/christianity/people/luther/bio.htm Booth, Edwin. Martin Luther. Philadelphia; Chelsea House Publisher, © 1999.