Martin Luther

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483–February 18, 1546) was a German theologian, an Augustinian monk, and an ecclesiastical reformer whose teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions. Luther's call to the Church to return to the teachings of the Bible led to the formation of new traditions within Christianity and to the Counter-Reformation, the Roman Catholic reaction to these movements.

Luther's struggle to find peace with God

Young Brother Martin fully dedicated himself to monastic life, the effort to do good works to please God and to serve others through prayer for their souls. Yet peace with God escaped him. He devoted himself to fasts, flagellations, long hours in prayer and pilgrimage, and constant confession. The more he tried to do for God, it seemed, the more aware he became of his sinfulness.

Related Topics:
God - Fasts - Flagellation - Prayer - Pilgrimage - Confession

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Johann von Staupitzhttp://newadvent.org/cathen/14283a.htm, Luther's superior, concluded the young man needed more work to distract him from excessive rumination. He ordered the monk to pursue an academic career. In 1507 Luther was ordained to the priesthood. In 1508 he began teaching theology at the University of Wittenberg. Luther earned his Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies on March 9, 1508 and a Bachelor's degree in the Sentences by Peter Lombard (the main textbook of theology in the Middle Ages), in 1509 . On October 19, 1512, Martin Luther became a doctor of theology, more specifically Doctor in Biblia , and on October 21, 1512 he was "received into the senate of the theological faculty" .

Related Topics:
Johann von Staupitz - Rumination - 1507 - 1508 - Theology - University of Wittenberg - March 9 - Sentences - Peter Lombard - Middle Ages - 1509 - October 19 - 1512 - October 21

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