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'''Martin Luther''' (November 10, 1483 - February 18, 1546) was one of the most important leaders in [[Christian]] and [[Germany|German]] history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he launched the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]] and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]] as a branch of Christianity dominant in Northern Europe.

 

'''Martin Luther''' (November 10, 1483 - February 18, 1546) was one of the most important leaders in [[Christian]] and [[Germany|German]] history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he launched the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]] and founded the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Church]] as a branch of [[Christianity]] dominant in Northern Europe.

Previous reform movements in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] were small-scale and did not disrupt the medieval Church; disruptions had simply been schisms rather than over serious doctrinal questions. Luther was the first to break Roman Catholic unity, when he was excommunicated for the [[95 Theses]] he had written in 1517 as a direct challenge to Church practice. Furthermore, in his position had the backing of several German princes who resented the Italian domination of the Church.

Previous reform movements in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] were small-scale and did not disrupt the medieval Church; disruptions had simply been schisms rather than over serious doctrinal questions. Luther was the first to break Roman Catholic unity, when he was excommunicated for the [[95 Theses]] he had written in 1517 as a direct challenge to Church practice. Furthermore, in his position had the backing of several German princes who resented the Italian domination of the Church.

Luther's image changed over the centuries. Calvinists challenged his theology while Catholics systematically reviled his personality well into the 20th century. Lutherans saw him as an authoritative interpreter of the Word whose texts must be studied word for word, then as a prophet of God whose overall message was more important than particular writings, and finally as a hero of the German people who transcended religion.<ref>Robert Kolb, ''Martin Luther as Prophet, Teacher, and Hero: Images of the Reformer, 1520-1620'' (1999)</ref>  

Luther's image changed over the centuries. Calvinists challenged his theology while Catholics systematically reviled his personality well into the 20th century. Lutherans saw him as an authoritative interpreter of the Word whose texts must be studied word for word, then as a prophet of God whose overall message was more important than particular writings, and finally as a hero of the German people who transcended religion.<ref>Robert Kolb, ''Martin Luther as Prophet, Teacher, and Hero: Images of the Reformer, 1520-1620'' (1999)</ref>  

==Biography==

==Biography==