📖 Biblical Definition
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was the Augustinian friar, professor of theology at Wittenberg, and biblical translator whose 95 Theses (Oct 31, 1517) ignited the Protestant Reformation. He recovered justification by faith alone, translated the Bible into German for the people, married Katharina von Bora (a former nun), and authored a vast body of writings whose theological core (solus Christus, sola gratia, sola fide, sola Scriptura, soli Deo gloria) shaped Protestantism.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
German Augustinian friar (1483-1546); leader of the Protestant Reformation.
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Born Eisleben (Saxony), trained in law before vow to become an Augustinian after a thunderstorm experience. Doctorate from Wittenberg (1512); 95 Theses posted (or sent) Oct 31, 1517 against the indulgence trade of Tetzel.
Diet of Worms (1521): Here I stand, I can do no other. Excommunicated and outlawed; protected at Wartburg Castle by Frederick the Wise; translated New Testament into German there in 11 weeks. Vast literary output through 1546.
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 1:17 — "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 2:16 — "A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 2:8 — "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Romans 3:28 — "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Protestants often treat Luther sentimentally; he was theologically sharp, sometimes verbally brutal, and deeply pastoral toward his flock.
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Luther's 95 Theses were not a manifesto for revolution; they were a scholarly call for academic disputation about indulgences. Within months they were translated, printed, and spread across Europe by the new printing press. The Reformation began in print.
The deeper recovery: Luther rediscovered Romans 1:17. The Latin iustitia Dei he had read for years as God's righteousness against me; Luther saw it as God's righteousness given to me. The verse opened, and so did the gospel.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
German given name plus surname; Saxon background.
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Latin Martinus from Mars; the Christian veteran-saint Martin of Tours stands behind the name.
Note: Luther changed the spelling of his surname from Luder to Luther (1517) under Greek influence (eleutherios, free).
Usage
"Here I stand, I can do no other."
"The just shall live by faith — the verse that opened."
"The Reformation began in print."