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[ Early Years ] [ His Teachings ] [ 95 Theses ] [ Reforms ] [ Diet of Worms ] [ Later Years ] [ His Seal ]
 Childhood
Luther's parents worked hard
for a living. Like most parents of the time, they were strict
disciplinarians. They taught young Martin to pray to the Saints, do good
works, and revere the Pope and the church. Education
At
age 5, Martin began to
study Latin in a local school. At 13 he attended the school of a religious
brotherhood in Magdeburg, Germany. A brilliant student, Luther received
his Master of Arts degree from the University of Erfurt in 1505 and began to
study law. Augustinian
Friar
Shortly after beginning his
law studies, Luther was caught in a violent storm and knocked to the ground by a
lightning bolt. "Help me, St. Anne, and I'll become a monk," he
cried. Shortly after, he joined the Augustinian Cloister in Erfurt. Ordination
Luther was ordained in
1507. He left Erfurt to teach moral philosophy at the University of
Wittenberg. In 1510 he journeyed to Rome on business for the
Augustinians. The spiritual laxity that Father Luther found in the Holy
City was shocking to him.
Doctor
Martin Luther
Continuing his studies after
returning from Rome, Luther soon earned his Doctorate of Theology. From
1513 to 1518 he lectured on Biblical Theology at the University of
Wittenberg. In 1515 Doctor Luther was appointed District Vicar for the
Augustinian Order. A Crisis of Conscience
Throughout his career, Luther
was torn by inner turmoil. If people are ruled by sin, how could they hope
to gain redemption in the eyes of God? He continually sought peace through
"good works"-including fasting and punishing his flesh. His
failure to cleanse himself drove him to the edge of despair. This crisis
lead to his first teaching of "Justification by Faith."
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