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Time Line of Key Events in the Life of Dr. Martin Luther:

September 29, 2020 /
Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany

Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Who was Martin Luther? Certainly he must be remembered as that preeminent Protestant Reformer who recovered the true Gospel and rescued the Christian Church from its slavery to the “traditions of men.” He began his religious career as a well-meaning, but misguided Augustinian monk. God had endowed him with a remarkably curious mind that searched after truth–not just philosophical truth, but “true truth” that would actually make a difference in changing lives. He found that “true truth” in the pages of Holy Scripture. There he learned that all men and women are inveterate sinners who are unable to help themselves. He also learned that God had graciously sent forth his Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for sins, and that he had also provided the “gift of faith” so that we could believe and trust in the work of Jesus Christ. This discovery brought about a fundamental change in Luther’s life so that he shed his guilt, was justified on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, and dedicated himself to live to the glory of God. The Lord used him to begin a spiritual revolution in Germany, which spread throughout Europe and (in time) to the rest of the world. Dr. Hugh Thomson Kerr, Jr., a notable scholar of the Reformation, wrote this following tribute:

There is virtual unanimity among historians and theologians as to the unique importance and significance of Martin Luther. He was not only the outstanding hero of the Protestant Reformation, but his influence was such that subsequent history cannot be understood without taking him into consideration. Even those who do not subscribe to his views are forced to admit that he brought about a transformation, if not a reformation, in life and thought as well as in religion…Surely he is one of the pivotal personalities of history, and he has always been acknowledged as such. His appeal is universal, and if books about him mean anything he grows in importance with the passing years. That is why he belongs not to one branch of Protestantism, but, we may say, to Christian theology.

Dr. Hugh T. Kerr, A Compend of Luther’s Theology, “Forward”

Hence we study the life of Martin Luther, not because he was a greater and wiser man than the rest of us, but because he was an earthy and ordinary man, whom God used to accomplish extraordinary deeds for the kingdom of God. And for this one fact, we can all be thankful! Soli Deo Gloria!

His Early Years & Preparation: (1483-1501)

  • 1483 – Martin Luther is born on November 10th in Eisleben
  • 1483 – Luther is baptized on November 11th at the church in Eisleben
  • 1484 – Hans Luther moves his family to Mansfield, where he takes up work as a silver miner
  • 1492 – Young Martin (age 9) is enrolled in the Latin School of Mansfield
  • 1497 – Luther (age 14) attends the Latin School of Magdeburg run by the “Brethren of the Common Life”
  • 1498 – Luther attends the School of St. George in Eisenach. While “singing for his supper” he is befriended by the Cotta and Schalbe families 

In Erfurt: Life as a Student & Monk (1501-1511)

Luther as a Monk
  • 1501 – Luther (age 18) graduates from the School of St. George in Eisenach and begins studies at the University of Erfurt
  • 1502 – The Bachelor of Arts degree is awarded in September (30th out of 57 graduates)
  • 1505 – The Master of Arts degree is awarded in January (2nd out of 17 graduates) 
  • 1505 – At the encouragement of his father, Hans Luther, Martin Luther begins legal studies at the University of Erfurt in May
  • 1505 – On a journey home Luther (age 21) is caught in a severe thunderstorm near Stotternheim (July 2); he impulsively vows to become monk and enters the Augustinian cloister at Erfurt (July 17); his friends are unsuccessful in urging him to reconsider his decision
  • 1507 – Martin Luther’s Ordination and 1st Mass take place (April 3); his father, Hans Luther, rides in with twenty of his friends  and makes a sizable gift
  • 1509 – Luther is awarded two theological degrees: Biblical Baccalaureate and the Sententiarius in March
  • 1510 – Luther is sent to Rome on business for the Observant Augustinians
  • 1511 – Returned from Rome, Luther is transferred by his superior, Johann von Staupitz, to Wittenberg so that he can teach Bible in the University

In Wittenberg: His 1st Tower Experience (1511-1521) 

Philip Melanchthon – Martin Luther’s friend and fellow professor
  • 1512 – His Doctor of Theology degree is awarded at Wittenberg on October 19 
  • 1513 – He begins lectures on the Psalms during the Fall and realizes that the “righteousness of God” is a gift from God imputed to every believer (cf. Psalm 31:1 “…in Thy righteousness deliver me.”)  
  • 1514 – He begins lectures on Romans during the Spring, and confirms in his 1st Tower experience the thesis that the “righteousness of God” is graciously given through Christ to every believer (cf. Romans 1:16-17 “…For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.”)
  • 1515 – He begins lectures on Galatians during the Fall 
  • 1516 – He begins lectures on Hebrews during the Fall 
  • 1517 – Luther posts the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg in opposition to the selling of Indulgences [i.e. certificates of pardon] by Johann Tetzel on October 31st
  • 1518 – Luther participates in the Heidelberg Disputation before his fellow Augustinians on April 26th
  • 1518 – Luther travels to Augsburg and argues theology with Cardinal Cajetan (October 12-14)
  • 1519  – Luther participates in the Leipzig Debate with Johann Eck of Ingolstadt
  • 1520 – Two German Knights, Ulrich Von Hutten and Franz Von Sickingen, offer Luther armed protection in the face of rising opposition to his theology
  • 1520 – Luther writes On the Papacy at Rome (June 11th)
  • 1520 – On June 15th Pope Leo X issues a papal bull, Exsurge Domine, giving Luther sixty days to recant and submit to the Pope’s authority
  • 1520 – Luther writes Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation (in August)
  • 1520 – Luther writes The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (October 6)
  • 1520 – Luther writes On the Freedom of a Christian (November)
  • 1520 – The burning of the Exsurge Domine and books of canon law takes place in a public bonfire at Wittenberg (December); Luther appears and throws the offending documents into the fire to the cheering of the students

At Worms: His 2nd Tower Experience (1521)

  • 1521 – Luther is excommunicated by Pope Leo X (January 3)
  • 1521 – Luther is summoned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to the Diet of Worms; “safe passage” is promised (March)
  • 1521 – On April 16-18 Luther is questioned in two hearings at the Diet of Worms
  • 1521 – During an anxious night of prayer Luther has a 2nd Tower experience, delivering his famous words the next morning, “…I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.”
Luther appears before the Diet of Worms (1521)

In the Wartburg: Life as an Outlaw (1521- 1522)

The Wartburg Castle
  • 1521 – Luther is “kidnapped” by friends and kept in protective custody in the Wartburg Castle (early May)
  • 1521 – Luther grows a beard and goes by the name of “Junker Jorg” 
  • 1521 – Luther writes Commentary on the Magnificat (May)
  • 1521 – Luther writes On Confession: Whether the Pope Has the Authority to Require It (June 1)
  • 1521 – Luther writes Against Latomus (June 20)
  • 1521 – Luther writes On the Abolition of Private Masses: On Monastic Vows (November)
  • 1521 – Luther writes An Admonition to All Christians to Guard Themselves Against Insurrection (December) 
  • 1521 – Luther begins his translation of the New Testament into German using The Greek New Testament by Erasmus (1516 edition)  

Return to Wittenberg: Mid-Career (1522-1530)

Katie Luther
  • 1522 – Luther suddenly returns to Wittenberg on March 6
  • 1522 – Luther writes Advent Church Postils (March) 
  • 1522 – Luther publishes his translation of the New Testament in German (September) 
  • 1523 – Luther writes That Jesus Christ was Born a Jew
  • 1523 – Luther writes On Temporal Authority: The Extent to Which It Should be Obeyed (March)
  • 1524 – Luther writes Letter to the Princes of Saxony Concerning the Rebellious Spirit
  • 1524 – Luther writes To the Municipalities of Germany…On Founding Schools (February) 
  • 1524 – Luther argues with a fellow reformer, Andreas Carlstadt, on the nature and practice of the Lord’s Supper
  • 1524 – Erasmus publishes his On the Freedom of the Will (September) 
  • 1524 – On October 9 Luther publicly abandons his religious habit
  • 1524 – Luther writes To the Christians at Strasbourg against the Enthusiasts (November)
  • 1525 – Luther writes Against the Heavenly Prophets (January)
  • 1525 – Luther writes Admonition to Peace Concerning the 12 Articles of the Peasants (April 19) 
  • 1525 – Due to the Peasant’s Revolt Luther writes Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants (May 5)
  • 1525 – On June 13 Luther marries the former nun, Katharina von Bora
  • 1525 – Luther explains his previous pamphlets by writing An Open Letter against the Hard Book against the Peasants (July)
  • 1525 – Luther’s reply to Erasmus, On the Bondage of the Will, is published (December)
  • 1526 – The 1st of six children is born—Johannes Luther (June 7)
  • 1526 – Luther writes German Mass and Order for Public Worship
  • 1527 – Luther writes Whether These Words, “This Is My Body” Still Stand against the Fanatics (April)
  • 1527 – The 1st of four Diets at Speyer takes place. The result is that the German princes refuse to enforce the Edict of the Diet of Worms to stop the spread of Lutheranism (mid-summer) 
  • 1527 – Luther writes Whether One May Flee from a Deadly Plague (November) 
  • 1527 – His 2nd child ,Elisabeth Luther, is born on December 10; sadly she dies on August 3, 1528 at 8 months
  • 1528 – Luther writes Great Confession on the Lord’s Supper (March)
  • 1528 – During a lengthy period of physical illness and spiritual depression—which he called Anfectungen (i.e. spiritual darkness, doubt, dread)—Luther composes his great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” (August) 
  • 1529 – Luther writes On War Against the Turk
  • 1529 – Luther begins writing The Small Catechism and The Large Catechism
  • 1529 – His 3rd child Magdalena Luther (“Lenchen”) is born (dies at age 13) 
  • 1529 – The Marburg Colloquy takes place with a heated debate with the Swiss Reformer, Ulrich Zwingli, over the Lord’s Supper (October 1-4)
  • 1530 – Luther stays in the Coburg Castle during the Diet of Augsburg (April to August); Philip Melanchthon represents his theological views
  • 1530 – Luther writes To the Clergy Assembled at Augsburg (mid-May)
  • 1530 – Meetings begin at Schmalkalden resulting in a defensive alignment of German Princes against Roman Catholic incursions; this alliance becomes known as the Schmalkald League
Family Life: Martin Luther leading hymns with his Wife, Children, and Philip Melanchthon

In Wittenberg: Consolidation of the Church (1530-1546)

  • 1531 – Students begin to copy down Luther’s remarks during meals (Table Talk) 
  • 1531 – Luther’s 4th child, Martin, is born 
  • 1531 – Luther writes Warning to His Beloved Germans (April)  
  • 1531 – Luther writes Commentary on Galatians (May)
  • 1531 – Luther writes On Infiltrating and Clandestine Preachers (January) 
  • 1533 – Luther’s 5th child, Paul, is born 
  • 1533 – Luther writes About Private Mass and Ordination
  • 1534 – Luther’s translation of the complete German Bible (Old and New Testaments) is published
  • 1534 – His 6th child, Margaret, is born (December 17th)
  • 1535 – Luther writes Lectures on Genesis
  • 1536 – The Wittenburg Concord on the Lord’s Supper takes place (May)
  • 1537 – The Schmalkald Articles are adopted by Protestant Princes (February)
  • 1538 – Luther writes Letter Against the Sabbatarians (March)
  • 1539 – The bigamy of Philip of Hesse becomes public; this results in a stormy and lengthy controversy about one of Luther’s most ardent supporters
  • 1540 – The Colloquy of Hagenau takes place (June-July)—Philip Melanchthon represents Luther
  • 1541 – The Diet of Regensburg takes place (April)—Philip Melanchthon represents Luther 
  • 1542 – The death of Magdalena Luther (“Lenchen”) on September 20 
  • 1543 – Luther writes On the Jews and Their Lies (January) 
  • 1544 – Luther writes Short Confession on the Holy Sacrament (September) 
  • 1545 – Luther writes Against the Papacy at Rome, Founded by the Devil (March) 
  • 1546 – On February 18th Martin Luther dies in the town of his birth and baptism, Eisleben
  • 1546 – On February 22nd Luther’s funeral is held at Wittenberg with a sermon preached by his closest friend and supporter, Philip Melanchthon
Some of my favorite books on Martin Luther
Here are four more recent Luther volumes–all of them are winners!

Resources for Further Study: 

Althaus, Paul. The Theology of Martin Luther. Robert C. Schultz, trans. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1966.

Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1950.

Barrett, Michael, ed. Reformation Theology: A Systematic Summary. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017. 

Bornkamm, Heinrich. Luther in Mid-Career (1521-1530). Karen Bornkamm, ed. E. Theodore Bachman, trans. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1983. 

George, Timothy. Theology of the Reformers. Revised Edition. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2013.

Kerr, Jr., Hugh Thomson, ed. A Compend of Luther’s Theology. Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press, 1953.

Kittleson, James M. Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and his Career. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1986. 

Kolb, Robert. Martin Luther as Prophet, Teacher, and Hero: Images of the Reformer 1520-1620. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.

Kolb, Robert. Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016. 

Lawson, Steven J. The Heroic Boldness of Martin Luther. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2013. 

Luther, Martin. Martin Luther: The Best from All His Works. Stephen Rost, ed. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989.

McGrath, Allister E. Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers, 2007. 

McGrath, Allister E. Luther’s Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther’s Theological Breakthrough. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1985.

Nichols, Stephen J. Beyond the 95 Theses: Martin Luther’s Life, Thought, and Lasting Legacy. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2016. 

Oberman, Heiko O. Luther: Man Between God and the Devil. New York, NY: Image Books, 1992. 

Pettegree, Andrew. Brand Luther. New York, NY: Penguin Press, 2016. 

Plass, Ewald M. This is Luther: A Character Study. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1948

Plass, Ewald M. What Luther Says: A Practical In-Home Anthology for the Active Christian. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1959.

Rupp, Gordon. Luther’s Progress to the Diet of Worms 1521. London, England: SCM Press, 1951.

Sproul, R. C. and Stephen J. Nichols, eds. The Legacy of Luther. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2016. 

Steinmetz, David C. Luther in Context. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1995. 

Trueman, Carl R. Luther on the Christian Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2015. 

Watson, Philip S. Let God be God: An Interpretation of the Theology of Martin Luther. London, England: The Epworth Press, 1947. 

Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin

The Genevan Foundation – Copyright 2020 – All Rights Reserved

Martin Luther on Relationships

September 29, 2020 /

How do you get along with your spouse, your kids, your relatives, your neighbors, your co-workers, etc in the midst of relational difficulties? Modern-day psychologists give lots of practical remedies, but I think most of us would confess these techniques rarely work. They just don’t get to the heart of the matter. And so, how do you get along with difficult people and heal broken relationships? Here is Martin Luther’s answer based on the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-5). Consider Luther’s thoughtful words as he applies Jesus’ teaching on the “speck” and the “log” to his own life…

“Therefore a Christian should follow a different practice. When he sees the mote in his brother’s eye, he should go look at himself in the mirror before passing judgment. He will then find beams in his eye big enough to make hog troughs. Consequently he will have to say: What is this anyway? My neighbor has done this once in a quarter, a half, a whole year; but I have become so old and have never yet kept the commandments of our Lord God, yea, I transgress them every hour and moment. How can I be such a desperate rascal? My sins are nothing but large oaks, thirty feet tall; and I allow the paltry motes, the specks of dust in my brother’s eye, to irritate me more than my large beams! But this should not be. I must first see how to get rid of my own sins. This will keep me so busy that I shall forget about the motes.”(Martin Luther, What Luther Says, Weimar Edition 52, p. 524)

Martin Luther, What Luther Says, Edwin M. Plass, ed. Weimar Edition 52, p. 524

In addition to the teaching of Jesus, the Bible also tells us, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12) And, “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) Lastly, “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11) These verses address our tendency as human beings to “take up an offense” and become “easily offended.” How much better it would be if we could look to God to help us in “overlooking an offense” and truly forgiving others! Instead of holding onto these hurts and allowing them to keep burning, like the embers from a smoldering fire, we are instructed to “cover” all offenses with “love” and to forgive those who have hurt us. The Lord promises that he will help us to do what we ourselves cannot do in our own strength.

The Apostle Paul gives further instruction with this powerful rejoinder, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32) Therefore, the basis of covering offenses with “love” and extending genuine “forgiveness” in difficult relationships is found in the example of Jesus. And, the basis of all healing in broken relationships is found in the power of the Gospel that Jesus taught.

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22) This seems impossible to do! But that is the point! The disciples of Jesus are to look to Him by faith to help them in the midst of relational difficulties. As Christians, we must set aside our personal “offenses” and trust God to enable us to “cover” these smoldering hurts with “love”–the same kind of long-suffering “love” that Jesus has already shown to us. That is how we get along with difficult people and heal broken relationships.

— Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Luther’s Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

July 18, 2020 /
The Wartburg Castle sits high on the hills above Eisenach, Germany

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Martin Luther as “George the Knight”

Following the great spiritual conflict at the imperial diet at Worms between Martin Luther and his accusers (1521), the Roman Catholic Church issued a Papal Bull proclaiming Luther’s excommunication. Not only was Luther’s soul threatened, but also his physical life. A supportive German Prince, Frederick of Saxony, providentially arranged for his “kidnapping” from the Roman Catholic authorities. Heavily-armed knights, loyal to Frederick, disguised themselves as common thieves and captured Luther, whisking him off to a castle high in the mountains of Thuringia. For almost a year he lay hidden in “The Wartburg” under the false name “George the Knight,” or Junker Jorg. During this time he grew a beard and carried a large sword to complete the disguise. Although the Reformation went on without him, he did not fall into a period of melancholy and apathy. Instead, he used his time of concealment well, translating the entire New Testament into the German vernacular (1522). He also began work on a translation of the Old Testament which he completed later (1534).

Moreover, during this time of forced detainment he wrote many stirring hymns of which “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is the best known. Based on Psalm 46, the words of verse one were especially powerful to the solitary Reformer–“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” It has been reported that while watching the smoke from the many peasant campfires in the valley below, Luther became discouraged by feelings of loneliness and discouragement. A fresh wind, though, blew the smoke away, and he was greatly encouraged by the thought that the Lord could blow his own fears and doubts away. Roland Bainton writes,

Luther’s manuscript of Ein’ feste Burg

That great battle hymn of the Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress,” appeared only in a later hymnbook. Here if anywhere we have both Luther’s words and music, and here more than elsewhere we have the epitome of Luther’s religious character. The hymn is based on the Vulgate version of the Forty-sixth Psalm, for Luther in his personal devotions continued to use the Latin on which he had been reared. Whereas in this psalm the Hebrew reads “God is our refuge.” The Latin has “Our God is a refuge.” Similarly Luther begins, “A mighty fortress is our God.” Though the Forty-sixth Psalm is basic, it is handled with exceeding freedom and interwoven with many remembrances of the Pauline epistles and the Apocalypse. Richly quarried, rugged words set to majestic tones marshal the embattled hosts of heaven. The hymn to the end strains under the overtones of cosmic conflict as the Lord God of Sabaoth smites the prince of darkness grim and vindicates the martyred saints. Luther’s people learned to sing…A Jesuit testified that “the hymns of Luther killed more souls than his sermons.”

Roland Bainton, Here I Stand, 270-271

When you consider the promises of God contained in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength,” and how Luther lay safely hidden in the Wartburg Castle, then it is easy to understand his powerful lyrics written in the context of his captivity. He rejoiced that the Lord had delivered him from his enemies for a season, and that he was able to continue the spread of the Reformation through his translation of the New Testament, his books, and his hymns.

Here is Luther’s small room and writing desk in the Wartburg Castle. He wrote several hymns and penned many letters to his friends while sitting at this desk

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great; and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he, Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

Luther also industriously translated the New Testament into German from Erasmus’ Greek version of the NT while he lay hidden in the Wartburg Castle

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever.

–from the Trinity Hymnal

____________________

Sources:

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” in the Trinity Hymnal. Revised Edition. Atlanta, GA: Great Commission Publications, 1990 [page 92].

Bainton, Roland H. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. New York, NY: Meridian Books, 1950.

Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin

The Genevan Foundation – Copyright November 2012 – All Rights Reserved

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