Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation – Comprehensive Study Notes

Martin Luther's Birth Date

November 10, 1483, in Eisleben.

University of Erfurt

Where Martin Luther studied liberal arts, earning his BA in 1502 and MA in 1505.

Thunderstorm Episode (1505)

A life-changing event where Luther vowed to Saint Anne to become a monk if saved from a fierce thunderstorm.

Monastic Practices

Luther's zealous engagement in prayer, Bible reading, Mass, confession, Holy Communion, and extreme self-denial for salvation.

Ordination (1507)

The year Luther was ordained and began leading Catholic Mass, experiencing profound anxiety about his unworthiness.

Johann Staupitz

The abbot who intervened in Luther's psychological crisis, recommending he teach theology at the University of Wittenberg.

Epiphany in Romans (1515)

Luther's realization through Romans 1:17 that salvation is by faith alone (sola fide), not by works, becoming central to his theology.

Sola Fide

Latin phrase meaning 'saved by faith alone'; a core doctrinal principle of Luther's theology.

Indulgence Controversy

Pope Leo X's financing of Saint Peter's Basilica through the sale of indulgences, which Luther criticized.

Johann Tetzel

Entrusted by Albert of Hohenzollern to sell indulgences across northern German lands with promises of forgiveness for sins.

95 Theses

Luther's 95 objections to indulgences, allegedly nailed to the Wittenberg church door on October 31, 1517, sparking public debate.

Excommunication (1520)

The formal censure from papal authority Luther faced after refusing to recant his views.

Sola Scriptura

The principle that religious authority resides solely in the Bible (scripture), not institutional church hierarchy.

Priesthood of All Believers

Luther's view that all believers have direct access to God and spiritual authority, not just a clerical elite.

Lutheran Sacraments

Luther reduced the Catholic seven sacraments to two: Baptism and the Eucharist.

Clerical Marriage

Luther's reform allowing clergy to marry; he married Catherine von Bora in 1525.

Martin Luther's Birth Date

November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Holy Roman Empire.

University of Erfurt (Degrees)

Bachelor of Arts (1502) and Master of Arts (1505).

Thunderstorm Episode

In July 1505, Luther vowed to become a monk if saved from a fierce thunderstorm, abandoning his legal studies.

Monastic Practices

Prayer, Bible reading, Mass, confession, Holy Communion, and zealous good works for salvation, including extreme self-denial.

Ordination

Martin Luther was ordained as a priest in 1507.

Psychological and Theological Crisis

Luther's ongoing doubts about salvation, struggling to reconcile God's justice with his own sense of sinfulness and persistent temptations like pride and anger.

Johann Staupitz

Abbot of Luther’s abbey who recommended Luther teach theology at the University of Wittenberg.

Move to Wittenberg

In 1509, Luther was sent to Wittenberg to teach theology and the Bible.

Epiphany in Romans

In 1515, Luther understood Romans 1:17 (the righteous shall live by faith) as meaning salvation is by faith alone, not by works.

Sola Fide

Latin phrase meaning 'saved by faith alone'; a central tenet of Luther's theology.

Indulgence Controversy

Pope Leo X financed indulgence sales to fund St. Peter's Basilica; Albert of Hohenzollern authorized sales in Northern Germany through Johann Tetzel, promising forgiveness for sins past and future.

95 Theses

Luther's 95 objections to indulgences, written in Latin for academic debate. Allegedly nailed to the Wittenberg church door on Halloween, 10/31/1517, and circulated widely after translation into German.

Excommunication

Formal censure from papal authority, received by Luther in 1520 for refusing to recant his views.

Core of the Reformation's Formation

The decade of 1520–1530 was Luther's most productive period, where foundational ideas for Protestantism were developed.

Sola Scriptura

Luther's principle that religious authority resides solely in the Bible, not in the institutional church or its hierarchy.

Priesthood of all Believers

Luther's view that all believers have direct access to God through faith, challenging the exclusive authority of the clerical elite.

Lutheran Sacraments

Luther reduced the Catholic seven sacraments to two: Baptism and the Eucharist.

Clerical Marriage

Luther married Catherine von Bora in 1525, advocating that clergy may marry.

The Reformation (Lutheran Perspective)

For Luther's followers, it represented a revival, restoration, or reform of authentic Christian faith amidst medieval church corruption.

The Reformation (Catholic Perspective)

For 16th-century Catholics, it appeared as a heretical movement undermining traditional salvation through good works and church authority.