Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany. His father was a successful businessman, and his mother came from a family of craftsmen. Luther was raised in a devout Catholic household and received a traditional Catholic education. He went on to study law but ultimately decided to become a monk.
Family life:
As a monk, Martin Luther took a vow of celibacy and did not marry. However, he did have a close relationship with a nun named Katharina von Bora, whom he helped escape from her convent. They eventually married and had six children.
Career:
Martin Luther is best known for his role in the Protestant Reformation, which began in the early 16th century. He was critical of the Catholic Church’s practices, such as the selling of indulgences, and wrote a series of treatises outlining his beliefs. In 1517, Luther famously nailed his “Ninety-Five Theses” to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, which sparked a movement for reform within the Church.
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Luther’s ideas were controversial, and he was eventually excommunicated from the Catholic Church. He continued to preach and write about his beliefs and translated the Bible into German, making it more accessible to the general public.
Quick Facts:
Martin Luther’s ideas had a significant impact on Christianity and Western civilization as a whole. The Protestant Reformation led to the formation of new Christian denominations, such as Lutheranism, and challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Luther’s writings, including his translation of the Bible, helped to standardize the German language. He is remembered as a key figure in the history of Christianity and the development of modern Europe. Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546, at the age of 62.
