Martin Luther

<p>Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Saxony. Initially studying law at the University of Erfurt, a terrifying close encounter with a lightning bolt in 1505 compelled him to enter an Augustinian monastery. Ordained as a Catholic priest in 1507, Luther earned his doctorate in theology and became Professor of Biblical Theology at the University of Wittenberg in 1512.</p><p>Luther's spiritual crisis over the nature of salvation led him to conclude that justification is granted by God's grace alone through faith (<em>sola fide</em>), rather than through ecclesiastical works or indulgences. On October 31, 1517, he posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, protesting the predatory sale of papal indulgences by Johann Tetzel. When summoned to recant at the Diet of Worms in 1521 before Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Luther famously declared: 'Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason... I cannot and will not recant anything. Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.'</p><p>Hidden at the Wartburg Castle under the protection of Elector Frederick the Wise, Luther translated the New Testament from ancient Greek into German in just ten weeks. His translation created a unified High German literary standard, democratized religious literacy, and inspired sweeping liturgical, musical, and social reforms across Europe.</p>