Martin Luther

No I do not mean Dr. Martin Luther King. The individual I am speaking of today lived several centuries previous to the fight for equality rights in the United states. Martin Luther was one of the most prominent figures in the Lutheran reformation of the fourteenth Century.


Luther was a theologian that studied philosophy at the University of Efurt. In his early life he had dedicated himself to a monastic life as an augustinian Monk. He studied the scriptures in depth and became very familiar with the writings of the bible. During this time he was chosen to make a trip to Rome to represent his church. While on this trip Luther was appalled by the posessions, behaiviour and and ignorance that he observed in the Roman priests.


In 1517 Luther created a document that protested the indulgent practices of the Catholic church. Indulgences were something that nobility could purchase for a fee and in return recieve a complete remission of sins. This document later became known as the 95 Theses. Martin Luther posted his Theses on the door of the Castle Church at wittenberg. Due to its popularity among the laity, this particular document was copied and distributed throughout Europe.


This act of defiance was obviously a very powerful threat to the power and status of the church at that time. At first the pope simply dismissed Luther as " a drunken German" who " when sober will change his mind." However as Luther's ideas spread and gained popularity the church was forced to take more direct and extreme measures to ensure that they could retain their position within society.


In 1520, Pope Leo X threatened Luther with excommunication unless he would publically withdraw much of his work, including the extremely controversial 95 Theses within 60 days. However Luther refused to recant his writings and therefore was excommunicated from the Catholic church in January of 1521.

In May of that year the Edict of Worms was released with proclaimed  Luther  as an outlaw, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. It was also illegal for anyone in Germany to provide Luther with food or water. In addition to prohibiting providing any type of support to Luther, the edict also stated that anyone could kill Luther without having to face legal consequences.

While in exile as a fugitive Luther fled to the Wartburg Castle and lived as if he were a knight named Sir Junkar Jorg

The Peasants war was in many ways a direct response to Luther's writings. Although initially behind the revolt, Luther later publically denounced the rebels and the attrocities that they commited during their rebellion. He published to works against their actions: Against the Murderous  and Theiving Hordes of Peasants. Once they realized that they no longer had the support of Martin Luther many of the revolutionaries withdrew from the rebellion.

Luther is remembered today as one of the most influential church reformers of medieval Europe. His ideas were widespread and continue to be taught to those of the Lutheran faith.