Martin Luther (1483-1546) was born to a peasant family in Germany. He grew up learning Roman Catholicism, but not the Bible. He was ordained a priest in 1507 and earned his doctor’s degree in 1512. At Wittenberg University, Luther learned and lectured from the Bible. It transformed his thinking. He recognized faith’s role for receiving salvation, the opposite of Roman Catholic works and payments for earning God’s forgiveness. Luther accepted the Scriptures as the only inspired authority, above popes, councils and traditions.
Rome, when Luther visited it, surprised him with its blatant wickedness. To raise money for building St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Pope Leo X sold church positions to the rich. He also sent agents to sell “indulgences.” In this practice, Roman Catholic authorities claimed to reduce punishment in the afterlife in exchange for money. This clearly contradicted the biblical truth that “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
GOD’S FREE GIFT IS ETERNAL LIFE.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. (Revelation 21:6)
When Rome’s agent, Tetzel, came to his region, Luther opposed him. Tradition says that Luther prepared ninety-five theses against indulgences and nailed this document—a challenge to public debate—to the Wittenberg church door on October 31, 1517. Many mark that date as the start of the Reformation in Europe.
When accusations against Luther reached Rome, the pope issued a “bull [official decree] of condemnation” against Luther. On trial, Luther could have suffered the same fate as Huss. Luther refused to recant—to change his teachings. He bravely declared, “I will not recant because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound.” The court branded Luther an outlaw.
But the local German ruler or Elector, Frederick, protected Luther in Wartburg Castle. Luther used his time there to translate the New Testament into German. His followers grew in numbers and influence. To guide them, Luther wrote The Short Catechism (1529) and his fellow-professor Philip Melanchthon wrote The Augsburg Confession (1530). Out of this movement grew the Lutheran Church as it is known today.