The Life of Martin Luther:
A Chronology

From the Rev. Walter P. Snyder (XRYSOSTOM)

Further Reading After examining this chronology, if you are interested in learning more about the Reformer, please investigate the following Online Material: Primary source materials in English from Project Wittenberg Annotated Listing of Luther Sites from the Open Directory Project You may also look for Luther sites on my Lutheranism page You can also order Writings by Martin Luther from Amazon.com Or you can check out these Luther Biographies and Theological Introductions: Althaus, Paul; The Theology of Martin Luther - an excellent introduction to the world of the Reformer's thought Bainton, Roland; Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton; a basic introduction, considered by some to be the ultimate English-language biography; I think that is has been surpassed Brecht, Martin; a thorough three volume series on the life and work of the Reformer; if you're ready for something solid, you might give these a try Volume 1, Martin Luther: His Road to Reformation, 1483-1521 Volume 2, Martin Luther: Shaping and Defining the Reformation, 1521-1532 Volume 3, Martin Luther: The Preservation of the Church, 1532-1546 Kittelson, James; Luther the Reformer - Probably the best simple introduction to his life and work Oberman, Heiko; Luther: Man Between God and the Devil - I'd recommend almost anything by Oberman and this volume on Luther may be the single best overall book on his thoughts, beliefs, and actions Schwiebert, E. G.; Luther and His Times: The Reformation from a New Perspective - A monster of a book with historical cultural, and religious backgrounds well developed; although it's over 50 years old, this volume still stands up with anything current for the serious lay scholar or professional theologian

Chronology

• 1483
  • 10 November -- Birth at Eisleben
  • 11 November (St. Martin's Day)---Baptism
• 1497
  • Enters school at Eisenach
• 1501
  • Student at Erfurt; full tuition is 20 Groats ($1.60)
• 1505
  • Master of Arts conferred
  • 2 July -- Overtaken by storm; makes vow to become monk
  • 17 July -- Enters cloister of St. Augustine at Erfurt
• 1507
  • 2 May -- Ordained by Bishop John
• 1508
  • November -- Instructor at Wittenberg
• 1509
  • 9 March -- Bachelor of Theology; returns to Erfurt
• 1511
  • October -- Starts trip to Rome on Augustinian business
• 1512
  • May -- Sub-prior of Wittenberg cloister; Director of Studies
  • 4 October -- Licentiate
  • 19 October -- Doctor of Theology
• 1513
  • Spring -- Lectures on the Psalms begin
• 1515
  • Vicar, in charge of eleven monasteries
• 1516
  • Publishes The German Theology; lectures on Romans and Galatians
• 1517
  • April -- Notes on the Penitential Psalms
  • 4 September -- 97 Theses Against Scholastic Theology
  • 31 October, Noon -- The 95 Theses
• 1518
  • 26 April -- Heidelberg Conference
  • 12 October -- Before Cajetan at Augsburg instead of trial at Rome
• 1519
  • January, 1st week -- Conference with Miltitz at Altenburg
  • 27 June -- Leipzig Disputation begins
  • 4 July -- Beginning of Luther's discussions with Eck
• 1520
  • 23 June -- To the German Nobility
  • 6 October -- The Babylonian Captivity of the Church
  • 4 November -- The Execrable Bull of Antichrist
  • 16 December -- The burning of the Bull
• 1521
  • 2 April -- Starts for Worms
  • 16 April -- Enters Worms
  • 17-18 April -- Before the Emperor
  • 26 April -- Departure from Worms
  • 4 May -- "Kidnapped"; taken to Wartburg
  • 2 December -- Secret journey to Wittenberg
• 1522
  • 6 March -- Returns to Wittenberg
• 1523
  • 21 September -- Publication of German New Testament
• 1524
  • August -- Conflict with Carlstadt at Jena, Kahlu, and Orlamunde; Hymnal published
• 1525
  • 16 April -- In Thuringia, attempting to check the Peasants' Insurrection
• 1526
  • Beginning of the year -- The German Mass and Order of Service
• 1527
  • January to March -- That the Words "This Is My Body" Stand Firm; "Ein Feste Burg" ["A Mighty Fortress"] is composed
• 1528
  • March -- Large Confession Concerning the Lord's Supper
  • October -- Visitation of churches
• 1529
  • April -- The two Catechisms written to raise religious education level
  • 1-3 October -- Marburg Colloquy
  • 16 April -- Schwabach Conference
• 1530
  • 3 April -- Starts on way to Augsburg
  • 23 April -- Reaches Coburg
  • 5 June -- Hears of father's death
  • 13 October -- Returns to Augsburg
• 1531-34
  • Works steadily on translation of Old Testament
• 1534
  • August -- First edition of complete German Bible
• 1535
  • Lectures on Genesis begin; completed only shortly before his death
  • 6 November -- Cardinal Vergerius at Wittenberg
  • December -- The English commissioners Fox, Heath and Barnes reach Wittenberg
• 1536
  • 22-29 May -- "The Wittenberg Concord" with Bucer and Capito
  • December -- Preparation of the Schmalkald Articles
• 1537
  • 7-28 February -- At Schmalkald; dangerously ill as he leaves, but is preaching by Easter
• 1539
  • Of the Councils and the Church
• 1539-41
  • Revision of translation of the Bible
• 1542
  • 19 January -- Consecrates Amsdorf as bishop at Naumburg
• 1543
  • 20 September -- Death of his daughter Magdalena
• 1544
  • September -- Short Confession Concerning the Lord's Supper; the Hauspostille published
• 1545
  • October and December---Two journeys to Mansfeld [Council of Trent]
• 1546
  • Starts on last journey to Eisleben
  • 14 February -- Preaches his last sermon
  • 17 February -- Signs articles of agreement of the Counts of Mansfeld
  • 18 February, 2:45 a.m.---Dies
  • 22 February---Buried at Wittenberg; sermon by Dr. John Bugenhagen; address by Philipp Melanchthon; buried under pulpit