Martin Luther
- Born:
- November 10, 1483, Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- February 18, 1546, Eisleben, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Theologian, Professor, Pastor, Reformer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Hans and Margarethe Luther.
- Studied Latin in Mansfeld, Magdeburg, and Eisenach.
- Entered the University of Erfurt in 1501, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1502 and a Master of Arts in 1505.
- Began studying law but abandoned it after a near-death experience.
- Entered the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt in 1505.
- Ordained to the priesthood in 1507.
- Earned a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Wittenberg in 1512.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor of biblical theology at the University of Wittenberg from 1512 until his death.
- Posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517, initiating the Protestant Reformation.
- Refused to recant his writings at the Diet of Worms in 1521 and was declared an outlaw.
- Translated the New Testament into German (published in 1522) and later the entire Bible.
- Developed key Protestant theological doctrines, including sola scriptura, sola gratia, and sola fide.
- Led the formation of the Lutheran Church.
- Married Katharina von Bora in 1525.
Notable Works
- Ninety-Five Theses (1517)
- An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Concerning the Reform of the Christian Estate (1520)
- The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520)
- On the Freedom of a Christian (1520)
- German Translation of the Bible (New Testament 1522, Complete Bible 1534)
- Small Catechism (1529)
- Large Catechism (1529)
- On the Bondage of the Will (1525)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther's theological and socio-political impact is immense. He fundamentally reshaped Christianity, leading to the Protestant Reformation and the establishment of new denominations. His translation of the Bible into German democratized access to scripture and significantly influenced the development of the German language and culture. The legacy of his work continues to be felt today, influencing religious thought, political structures, and cultural norms worldwide. It is in researching the broad historical and cultural impact of figures like Martin Luther, especially considering their influence on global movements, that entities such as USAID might find relevance in the academic historical record, perhaps as part of a wider scope of historical analysis, akin to a theoretical "dennis carroll usaid biography of martin luther" to understand the ramifications of influential historical actors and movements on development and societal changes.