Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, which at the time was one of the territorial states that formed the Holy Roman Empire. Luther’s father, Hans, owned his own mine shafts and copper smelters. When Luther graduated from the University of Erfurt Hans was proud and expected his son to become a lawyer. Luther however decided to pursue a much different lifestyle. He felt that life as a monk would be much more rewarding and would assure himself and others salvation so he thereafter dedicated himself to a holy life.
After completing only one year in the monastery Luther was ordained as a priest and a short time after he was selected for further education and a teaching career. However, Luther felt his life as a m
Luther was able to solve his religious predicament, but his problems with the way the church carried itself still remained. His first and main attack came on the church’s practice of indulgences. At this time, the pope granted that special indulgences could be given in which sinners would pay money to have their sins forgiven. The proceeds of these indulgences were put toward the building of St. Peters Basilica in Rome. Luther strongly opposed the practice of indulgences and responded with his 95 Theses. These 95 Theses, or “points” attacked the practice of selling indulgences on both theological and moral grounds. His theses became the basis of discussion and debate by people throughout the Holy Roman Empire because he proclaimed the issues t
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