What are facts about Martin Luther the German priest?

Answer 1

Martin Luther was born on 10 November 1483, in Eisleben, Germany. At age 17 he enrolled in the University of Erfurt, gaining a Bachelor's degree in 1502 and a Master's degree in 1505. According to his father's wishes, Luther then enrolled in the law school of that university. A terrifying near-encounter with a lightning bolt in 1505 led Luther to abandon his law studies and enter a monastery, dedicated to serving God.

Luther struggled with the Roman Catholic church's demands that one could only earn favour with God through good works. Through his in-depth study of the Scriptures, he reached the realisation that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received by faith alone and by trust in Christ's death on the cross as the only means to that salvation.

It was this that led him to openly question the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, in particular, the nature of penance, the authority of the pope and the usefulness of indulgences. The Reformation of the church began on 31 October 1517, with Luther's act of posting his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The document contained an attack on papal abuses and the sale of indulgences by church officials.

Controversy raged over the posting of the 95 Theses. Luther was excommunicated several years later from the Roman Catholic church for his attacks on the wealth and corruption of the papacy, and his belief that salvation would be granted on the basis of faith alone rather than by works. In 1521, the same year in which he was excommunicated, Luther was summoned before the Diet of Worms. The Diet was a general assembly of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire that occurred in Worms, Germany, from January to May in 1521. When an edict of the Diet called for Luther's seizure, his friends took him for safekeeping to Wartburg, the castle of Elector Frederick III of Saxony. Here, Luther continued to write his prolific theological works, which greatly influenced the direction of the Protestant Reformation movement. It was here also that Luther translated the New Testament into German. This was published on 21 September 1522. Luther also began translating the entire Bible, which took him 10 years to complete. Luther's extensive writing on church matters included the composition of hymns, liturgy, and two catechisms that are basic statements of the Lutheran church. (source: today.wmit.net - November 10, September 21)

Answer 2

Well, let's give this a shot:

1. Martin Luther was a monk.

2. He was trained for the Roman Catholic priesthood.

3. He wrote the 95 Theses that galvanized the Reformation.

4. He was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic church.

5. He wrote a series of essays called "Table Talk"

6. He composed the words and music to "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

7. He argued for consubstantiation over Roman Catholic transubstantiation of the bread and wine in Mass.

8. He did not like having the Revelation in The Bible.

9. He married a woman whom he loved to the end of life.

10. He and John Calvin (Reformed branch of the Reformation) agreed on many theological points.

Answer 3

Martin Luther began five principles that formed the backbone of the Protestant movement. These five principles were:

Sola Scriptura - "By Scriptura Alone" meaning that the Bible alone would be consulted in matters of revelation and not Church Tradition which Luther demonstrated was man-made, and thus could be in error, unlike the sacred scriptures.

Sola Fide - "By Faith Alone" emphasis on good works and sacraments was removed, instead, pure Faith in Christ was sufficient to save the soul.

Soli Gratia - "By Grace Alone" Luther taught that grace could never be merited, hence the vanity of works. Grace was a free gift bestowed by God on Whom He willed. Technically, the Catholic doctrine is identical, that grace is a free gift of God, though Luther made it clear the good acts could never move God to send grace. The Catholic teaching also states that 'Grace alone' is not sufficient for salvation - hence the emphasis on works. The Catholic Church also teaches that the Christian must be an active member of the Catholic Church to be saved. This thus voids the 'sola' part of sola gratia.

Solus Christus - "By Christ Alone" meaning that Christ is the mediator between God and men and no one else. This swept away the idea of praying to saints for their intercession to God as well as the need for the priesthood, in terms of the priest interceding on behalf of the people, who themselves had direct and free access to God.

Soli Deo Gloria - "Glory to God Alone" the idea that all glory belongs to God. Even the saved should not be gloried in, as all belongs to God.

Answer 4

Martin Luther was born on November 10 1483 and has 3 brothers and 4 sisters.

He became a monk in July 1505.

Luther married in June 1525.

He had six children.

He died in Febuary 1546 aged 62.