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Selected Letters of Luther

Dr. Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a leader of the Protestant Reformation and namesake of the Lutheran Tradition. He was born in Eisleben and was well-educated before entering the University of Erfurt. It was there that, rather than pursue an advanced law degree, Luther became an Augustinian monk. Between 1505 and 1512 he studied and lectured in theology, punctuated by achievement of his Doctorate at Wittenberg. By 1517 Luther was realizing in full the doctrine of justification by faith, as declared by the apostle Paul and Augustine. His publication of 95 theses against indulgences sparked protest throughout Germany, forcing Luther to defend his theology in disputations at Heidelberg and Leipzig. His treatises of 1520 brought him into greater conflict with the papacy, and he was excommunicated. After the Diet of Worms in 1521, he continued to define and uphold his theology, seeking to reform the Church, emphasizing the authority of Scripture and the Pauline doctrine of justification.

A small selection of Luther's letters, to different addressees, covering a range of topics.

This is a small selection of letters by Luther, from a variety of translated sources. Its contents include letters to: Albrecht, archbishop of Mainz (1517); Pope Leo X, and John Staupitz (1518), each accompanying the "Resolutions" to the 95 Theses; Philip Melanchthon (1521); a group of nuns (1524), regarding monastic vows and leaving a convent; Henry VIII king of England (1525); the Christian Reader (1545).

Church History

Luther's Letters