Eric Metaxas - Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World

1483 Luther is born in Eisleben on November 10 and baptized the following day. He is the eldest of what history believes to be eight children born to his parents, Johannes Hans Ludher and Margarethe Ludher ne Lindemann.

1484 Luthers parents move to Mansfeld when he is around six months old. This is where they will raise all of their children and remain for the rest of their lives.

1490 Martin is sent to school in Eisenach.

149697 Martin attends school in Magdeburg for one year.

1501 Martin goes to the University at Erfurt.

1505 Martin begins his law studies at Erfurt.

1505 Martin vows to become a monk on July 2 while traveling through the village of Stotternheim. He enters the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt and takes holy orders.

1506 Martin meets Johannes von Staupitz.

1507 Martin is ordained and performs his first Mass with his parents and others in attendance.

1508 In the fall, Staupitz sends Luther to Wittenberg for a year.

1509 While at Wittenberg, Martin receives his bachelors degree in the Bible.

151011 Martin makes walking pilgrimage to Rome.

1511 Staupitz transfers him to Wittenberg monastery, where he will remain throughout his life.

1512 Under a pear tree, Staupitz persuades Luther to study for his doctorate. Luther earns his doctorate.

151317 Luther lectures on Psalms, Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews, laying the exegetical foundation for all that lies ahead.

1517 Luther posts his Ninety-five Theses (traditionally on October 31) and mails a letter and the theses to Archbishop Albrecht at Magdeburg.

1518 Luther speaks at the Heidelberg disputation in April. Melanchthon arrives in Wittenberg.

1518 Luther travels to the diet at Augsburg in October and appears before the papal legate Cardinal Cajetan.

1519 Leipzig debate with Johannes Eck in July.

1520 Luther writes his three powerful works: To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation; The Babylonian Captivity of the Church; and The Freedom of a Christian.

1520 Leo X writes the papal bull Exsurge Domine, giving Luther sixty days to appear in Rome to answer the accusations of heresy.

1521 The sixty days expire, and Leo X officially excommunicates Luther. Luther burns the bull and other writings in Wittenberg.

1521 Luther appears at the Diet of Worms in April.

1521 In May, following Luthers imperial condemnation as a heretic and outlaw, Frederick arranges for him to be kidnapped and taken to his exile at the Wartburg Castle, where he remains incognito for ten months.

1521 In December, Luther travels incognito to Wittenberg for a short visit. Cranach paints a portrait of him as Junker George.

1522 Luther translates the New Testament into German in eleven weeks at the Wartburg. In March, he returns to Wittenberg and preaches his eight Invocavit Sermons, reversing the excesses that Karlstadt and Zwilling began in his absence, and resumes leadership of the Reformation at Wittenberg.

1523 In February, Luthers German translation of the New Testament is published.

1525 German Peasants War. Mntzer is killed.

1525 In June, Luther marries Katharine von Bora. Karlstadts family arrives in Wittenberg; Luther writes On the Bondage of the Will.

1526 Johannes Hans Luther is born.

1527 In December, a daughter, Elisabeth, is born.

1528 In August, Elisabeth dies, aged seven months.

1529 In May, a second daughter is born, named Magdalena (Lenchen); Marburg Colloquy in October.

1530 The Diet of Augsburg. Luther remains at the Coburg Castle during this time.

1531 In November, a son, Martin junior, is born.

1533 In January, a son, Paul, is born.

1542 Luthers thirteen-year-old daughter, Lenchen, falls ill. She dies in her fathers arms on September 20.

1546 Luther travels to Eisleben with his three sons. Preaches his last sermon on February 14 or 15. Dies there on February 18. Buried at Wittenberg.