Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, professor, and Augustinian friar. He was the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation, and his theological beliefs form the basis of Lutheranism. He challenged the authority and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, especially its doctrine of justification by works and its practice of selling indulgences. He posted his famous 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517, sparking a theological debate that led to his excommunication by Pope Leo X in 1521. He refused to recant his views at the Diet of Worms, where he famously declared: "Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen." He translated the Bible into German, making it more accessible to the common people. He also wrote influential works such as On the Bondage of the Will, The Small Catechism, and The Large Catechism. He composed many hymns, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands". He married Katharina von Bora, a former nun, in 1525 and had six children with her. He died in 1546 in his hometown of Eisleben after suffering a stroke. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Western Christianity and European history.