Martin Luther (l. 1483-1546) was a German priest, monk, and theologian who became the central figure of the religious and cultural movement known as the Protestant Reformation. Even though earlier reformers had expressed Luther's views, his charismatic personality and efficient use of the printing press encouraged widespread acceptance of his vision of Christianity.
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Definition
Timeline
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1483 - 1546Life of German priest, theologian, and reformer Martin Luther.
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1501Martin Luther enters the University of Erfurt, studying law, but switches to philosophy.
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1505Martin Luther drops out of university to become a monk after making a vow to Saint Anne to save him during a storm.
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1512Martin Luther receives his doctorate in theology and is a member of the faculty of the University at Wittenberg.
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c. 1513Martin Luther is inspired by scripture to claim that faith, not works, justifies one for salvation.
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31 Oct 1517Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church.
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31 Oct 1517The Protestant Reformation begins when German priest and reformer Martin Luther posts his *Ninety-Five Theses* to the door of the Wittenberg church. The event is world-famous but has been challenged by modern historians. Even so, the date was celebrated as Reformation Day on the 500th anniversary in 2017.
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1521Martin Luther is excommunicated as a heretic by the Church.
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3 Jan 1521Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther from the Catholic Church for his challenges to ecclesiastical authority and policies. This act only encourages the momentum of the Protestant Reformation.
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17 Apr 1521Martin Luther's trial on charges of heresy begins at the Diet of Worms, Bishop's Palace, Worms, Germany, when he appears before the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. After being given time to answer the charges, Luther returned the next day, refusing to recant his theological stand, and was declared a heretic and outlaw through the Edict of Worms.
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18 Apr 1521Martin Luther refuses to recant at the Diet of Worms, is branded an outlaw.
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c. 1524The Dutch Renaissance scholar Desiderius Erasmus publishes his De Libero Animo, an argument on free will directed against Martin Luther.
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1525Martin Luther is married to former nun Katharina von Bora.
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13 Jun 1525During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora in Wittenberg, Germany, in defiance of Catholic clerical celibacy vows as Luther was a former monk and von Bora a former nun.
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1534Martin Luther publishes the complete Bible in German which becomes a best-seller.
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1546Martin Luther dies of a stroke at his hometown of Eisleben.
