Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Martin Luther was the leading figure in the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. An Augustinian monk by training, he broke with the Church of Rome in 1521. He desired to reform the church on the basis of Holy Scripture and proclaimed the Doctrine of Justification by faith alone. He translated the Bible into his native German tongue, and published numerous sermons and commentaries. His great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," is sung by Christians of all traditions today.
