Martin Luther

Birth of Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Receives B.A. at Erfurt

Sep 28, 1502

Earns M.A. at Erfurt

Jul 2, 1505

Begins law studies; in thunderstorm on July 2, vows to become a monk; enters Order of Augustinian Hermits

Becomes doctor of theology

Sep 28, 1512

Begins lectures

Period: Sep 28, 1513 to Sep 28, 1516

Lectures on Psalms, Romans, and Galatians; appointed vicar over ten monasteries

Begins lecturing on Hebrews

Sep 28, 1517

Posts 95 Theses

Oct 31, 1517

Luther attacks the Church about indulgences

Understands the "righteousness of God"

Jul 28, 1519

Understands the "righteousness of God" as "passive righteousness with which God justifies us by faith" ; in July, debates Professor John Eck at Leipzig and denies supreme authority of popes and councils

Papal bull Exsurge Domine gives Luther 60 days to recant or be excommunicated

Sep 28, 1520

Writes his 3 seminal treatises

Sep 28, 1520

They were To the Christian Nobility, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, The Freedom of a Christian; burns papal bull and books of canon law

Diet of Worms

Apr 28, 1521

At Diet of Worms in April, on trial before Emperor Charles V and other leaders of church and state, he refuses to recant writings; an edict condemns him as heretic and outlaw; after the Diet of Worms, he is "kidnapped" by Frederick the Wise, and hidden at Wartburg Castle; begins translating the New Testament

Excommunicated by the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem

Sep 28, 1521

Luther comes out of hiding

Mar 29, 1522

Luther returns to Wittenberg, helping to reestablish order there; finishes New Testament translation, first published in September