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'''Early life ''' Martin Luther was a German theologian that has had a massive impact in history and world religions. Martin Luther lived from 1483 to 1546. He began his work while attending University of Erfurt in 1505. He was ordained in ministry in 1507, and after joining a monetary he started teaching in the year 1507.

Ministry Martin Luther was a very success Monk. He fully devoted himself to the beliefs and was very active in religious acts such as prayer, fasting, and going without sleep. At the time the church was selling documents known as "indulgences". These documents were made by the church and sold to citizens with the promise that it will release them from punishment of their sins. One could also buy indulgences on behalf of the dead so they could be released from punishment as well. In 1517 Luther publicly objected to preacher Johann Tetzel for the sales of these indulgences.

The 95 Theses After publicly objecting Tetzel, Luther prepared a list of propositions to conduct a debate at Wittenberg. He gave the copy of the propositions, titled "The 95 Theses" to Tetzel's superior, the Archbishop of Albert of Mainz, along with a request that Tetzel stops his preaching and selling of indulgences. During the midst of the controversy, copies of The 95 Thesis were being distributed amongst people in Germany.

A New Theology In 1518 Luther began to settle into a new theology. This theology bases itself off the idea that mankind is offered salvation through faith and not good works. The previous and most popular theology of the time hinged on the opposite, that mankind was saved from punishment by acts of good work that they do in their lives. With Luthers's idea that humans can contribute anything to their own salvation, and that it salvation is a work of divine grace. This belief directly contradicted what the church was teaching at the time.

The Spread of new beliefs Luther's teaching spread rapidly through Europe thanks to the printing press. Luther published other popular writings such as "The Address to Christian Nobility", "The Babylonian Captivity of the Church", and "On the Freedom of a Christian". In "The Address to Christian Nobility" he argued that all Christians were priests. In "The Babylonian Captivity of the Church" Luther wrote that the there should only be 2 sacraments instead of the 7, and those two were the Lord's prayer and baptism. In "On the Freedom of a Christian" Luther argued that Christians were free from the church laws but instead be free and love thy neighbor. Luther believed that following the laws of the church was considered an attempt to work their way to salvation. In 1521 he was called to an assembly at Worms, Germany, to appear before Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Luther was under the impression that this would be another debate, but in the end it was a trial. Luther was asked to recant his views, to which he responded with "Unless I can be instructed and convinced with evidence from the Holy Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct grounds of reasoning ... then I cannot and will not recant, because it is neither safe nor wise to act against conscience." Then he added, "Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me! Amen." . It was ruled that Luther was a heretic and would be punished, but Luther was able to escape where he spent 10 months hiding in Wartburg Castle.

Late Life and Influence One of the greatest achievements in the life of John Luther was his translation of the New Testament into German. Luther had held onto the belief that the Bible should be available to all and not just the church. By translating the Bible into German it was accessible to more people, and in turn helped develop and spread the German language as well. The actions of Luther can be credited with the formation of the Protestant church. As Luther got older and his health deteriorated his beliefs became more severe and extreme. Scholars believe that his later teaching are not true indication of his actual beliefs, but were instead brought on by his pain in his poor health. Luther would die in 1546, but he is remembered as one of the most influential characters in western history. He reshaped Christianity as a whole by confronting the church and devising a new theology that would lead to millions of followers. His translation of the bible into German also shaped the German language entirely.