Martin Luther (1483 - 1546)

A character sketch of Martin Luther

The son of a Saxon miner, Luther was born at Eisleben on November 10, 1483.

Studied at the University of Erfurt and after graduation began to study Law.

After escaping death in a thunderstorm, Luther joined the monastery of the Augustinian Hermits of Erfurt and was ordained in 1505.

Received a doctorate in theology in 1511.

On a visit to Rome in 1510, Luther was shocked to find corruption in high churchly places.

Luther found that his studies of scripture differed greatly from the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.

He believed that Christ was the mediator between God and man and that forgiveness of sins came from grace alone.

On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg and was ready to discuss his convictions.

Luther eventually turned his back on the authority of the pope and trusted in the scriptures only. The pope wanted to get his hands on Luther.

In 1521, Luther went to the Diet of Worms where he said his famous words, “I cannot and will not recant anything, for it is neither safe nor honest to act against one’s conscience. God help me. Amen.”

He was excommunicated and would have been executed had it not been for the protection of Duke Frederick.

Translated the Bible into German and continued to abolish traditional non-Biblical practices.

Luther was married in 1525 and had six children.

Personal Application.

Luther was a man who paced the way for us as evangelical believers. Had he not taken a stand for the scriptures, who knows where we would be today in regards to our beliefs. Luther did all that he could to portray the true Bible and it’s teaching.

We too have an obligation to use our abilities to further the kingdom of Christ. We have all been given convictions and burdens for others and for certain types of ministry. Even though our impact may not be as great as Luther’s, in God’s eyes, it is just as important.

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