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Martin Luther History

1517 Mr. Hildreth

October 3, 2010

Kaylee Schneider

Word count: 503

Martin Luther

For in the gospel a righteousness from god is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith

from first to last, just as it is written: the righteous will live by faith. Martin Luther

preached and lived by these words for most of his life. He was a German priest and

professor who started the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther taught that salvation was

not earned by good deeds but was received by as a free gift of Gods holy grace through

salvation. His thinking changed not only his life, but changed the whole course of history.

Martin Luther planned on becoming a lawyer, but one day he was caught in a terrible

thunderstorm. He cried out to Saint Anne, fearing for his life. He prayed that if he was

spared he would become and Augustinian monk. He was spared. He became a monk and

by 1507 he was ordained a priest. Luther began fervently studying the Bible and in 1516,

when Johann Tetzel came to Germany and beganpreaching on indulgences, Luther

noticed that what they were preaching was not what the bible said. This is when Luther

posted his ninety-five theses on the door of the All Saints Church, trying to get an

argument out of them.

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On June 15, 1520, Pope Leo X threatened Luther with the papal bull saying that he risked

excommunication from the church. The only way he could avoid this would be to recant

41 sentences drawn from his writings, also the 95 theses, within 60 days. But Luther said

no and publicly set fire to the bull, on December 10, 1520. As a consequence, pope Leo

X excommunicated Luther, on January 3, 1521. The enforcement of the ban on Luthers

905 theses fell to the Diet of Worms. This was an assembly of the estates of the Holy

Roman Empire. Over the next few days conferences were held to determine Luthers fate.

The Emperor presented the final copy of the Diet of Worms on may 25, 1521, declaring

that Luther was an outlaw and banning his literature. It also made it a crime for anyone in

Germany to give Luther food or shelter.

Martin Luther suddenly disappeared on his return trip that was planned. His friend,

Frederick III, had him taken away by masked horsemen and hid him. During this time

Luther translated the New Testament into German so that the people of Germany could

read and understand the bible. Secretly, Luther returned to Wittenberg on March 6, 1522.

Her he preached eight sermons and taught passionately to the people to trust Gods word

rather than violence to bring about vital change.

Martin Luther died from natural causes. He had been suffering from his health for

years. His last sermon was delivered at Eilsleben the place of his birth, on February 15,

1546. This was only three days before he died. On February 18, 1546 Luther died his

final words were, Into your hands I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord,

faithful God