Luther’s Early Life

    Luther’s early life and accomplishments are often overlooked because of the great accomplishments later on in his life. His early times should still be mentioned, however, because they are a foreshadowing to the rest of his life.

    Born in Eisleben, Germany, Martin was the son of Hans and Margarethe. Luther’s father was soon disappointed by the business prospects in Eisleben and moved his family to Mansfield. There, he hoped to find work in the copper mines. A few years after arrival at Mansfield, Hans began leasing a smelter (furnace) from the Count of Mansfield. He felt that their financial security was set, and began sending Martin to a boarding school, Magdeburg. After a year at Magdeburg, it was decided that Luther should begin attending the parish school of St. George in Eisenach, where he initially stayed with relatives. Later in the school year, Martin moved in with Heinrich Schalbe, one of his schoolmates. Two years later, Luther began studying liberal arts at University of Erfurt, a premiere university at the time. Luther was lucky, as his father picked up the tab. At the end of the term, Luther took the baccalaureate exams and finished 30th in a group of 57. Martin received his Baccalaureate degree, and decided to work towards his masters. He began going to law school at Erfort where he was required to teach liberal arts. He studied for law by memorizing the titles of laws. On July 2^nd of that year, Luther was walking from his parent’s home back to the university. There is a terrible thunderstorm in the area and lightning strikes nearby, throwing him to the ground. From this point forward, Martin vowed that he would become a monk if St. Anne will save him. St. Anne was a patron saint of miners (the people Martin grew up with, as his dad was one).

    Luther did indeed follow the path, which he declared during the thunderstorm. He joined the Black Monastery in Erfurt and took his monastic vows. He was first a subdeacon, then a deacon, and finally a priest. His life didn’t stop at his first mass, however. Luther also taught at the University of Wittenburg as a doctor of theology, lecturing on the Psalms and Galations (chapters from the Bible). Martin Luther’s early life was an odd but successful one. It didn’t turn out like he planned, but it contributed to the major accomplishments that occurred later on his life.