Martin Luther

Martin Luther in 1529 by Lucas Cranach

Born: November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
Died: February 18, 1546 in Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
Occupation: Theologian, priest
Religious stance: Lutheran formerly Roman Catholic
Spouse: Katharina von Bora
Children: Hans, Elizabeth, Magdalena, Martin, Paul, Margarethe
Parents: Hans and Margarethe Luther

§ He was a German monk, theologian, and church reformer. He is also considered to be the founder of Protestantism.

§ Luther is also known for his writings about the Jews

§ According to Luther, salvation was attainable only by faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith unmediated by the church

§ These ideas helped to inspire the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization

§ Luther's translation of the Bible into the German vernacular had a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture

§ His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity

§ His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism

§ As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial