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

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