Childhood:
Born in 1483 in Eisleben, Martin Luther was a man who would change religion in the 16th century. Born into the then Holy Roman Empire, Luther received a good upbringing, attending various universities across Europe. Baptized as Catholic by his parents as a baby, Luther moved to Mansfeld in Germany where he was to be brought up. Martin was then sent to a number of Latin schools before studying at the University of Erfut which led to his Master’s degree in 1505. After dropping out of Law school, Luther became increasingly fascinated by theology which ultimately let to a period of spiritual despair for Luther, as he dedicated himself to the Augustinian order.
Career:
When Luther visited Rome in 1510, he was shocked to see the corruption within the Papacy and Church. This could be considered a major factor in his pursuing of Church reformation. After hearing of the Clergy’s continuous use of selling indulgences, he published the “95 Theses” in October 1517, attacking the Clergy and Papal abuses. Luther had also learned to believe that the fate of Christians was not through their own efforts, but faith. This turned Luther against many of the Bible’s teachings and thanks to the printing press, his ideas were quickly spread throughout Europe. When Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther, he was ordered to appear at an assembly of the Holy Roman Empire called The Diet Of Worms and after Luther refused to change his beliefs, he was outlawed by Charles V. Luther then went into hiding until 1534 where he translated the Bible into German, citing that the people should be able to read the Bible in their own language. Luther’s influence spread even more throughout Europe and when he died in 1546, his legacy would live on, having changed the face of religion forever.
Significance:
Despite originally openly opposing Martin Luther’s ideas in 1521 and being awarded title of Defender Of The Faith, Henry VIII was obviously influenced into Reformation of the Church by Martin Luther. As Luther was travelling in Europe spreading his reformist ideas, Henry was keen to break away from the Catholic Church as he was in desperate need of a male heir and thus, after being refused permission to divorce Catherine of Aragon, Church reform would be a lot easier than previously, due to the teachings of Luther.
George Foster
Born in 1483 in Eisleben, Martin Luther was a man who would change religion in the 16th century. Born into the then Holy Roman Empire, Luther received a good upbringing, attending various universities across Europe. Baptized as Catholic by his parents as a baby, Luther moved to Mansfeld in Germany where he was to be brought up. Martin was then sent to a number of Latin schools before studying at the University of Erfut which led to his Master’s degree in 1505. After dropping out of Law school, Luther became increasingly fascinated by theology which ultimately let to a period of spiritual despair for Luther, as he dedicated himself to the Augustinian order.
Career:
When Luther visited Rome in 1510, he was shocked to see the corruption within the Papacy and Church. This could be considered a major factor in his pursuing of Church reformation. After hearing of the Clergy’s continuous use of selling indulgences, he published the “95 Theses” in October 1517, attacking the Clergy and Papal abuses. Luther had also learned to believe that the fate of Christians was not through their own efforts, but faith. This turned Luther against many of the Bible’s teachings and thanks to the printing press, his ideas were quickly spread throughout Europe. When Pope Leo X excommunicated Luther, he was ordered to appear at an assembly of the Holy Roman Empire called The Diet Of Worms and after Luther refused to change his beliefs, he was outlawed by Charles V. Luther then went into hiding until 1534 where he translated the Bible into German, citing that the people should be able to read the Bible in their own language. Luther’s influence spread even more throughout Europe and when he died in 1546, his legacy would live on, having changed the face of religion forever.
Significance:
Despite originally openly opposing Martin Luther’s ideas in 1521 and being awarded title of Defender Of The Faith, Henry VIII was obviously influenced into Reformation of the Church by Martin Luther. As Luther was travelling in Europe spreading his reformist ideas, Henry was keen to break away from the Catholic Church as he was in desperate need of a male heir and thus, after being refused permission to divorce Catherine of Aragon, Church reform would be a lot easier than previously, due to the teachings of Luther.
George Foster