Martin Luther Research Paper

There are numerous biographies of Martin Luther’s life and several in depth analysis of his ideas, but very few focus on his life after the Reformation. After the leading the German Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther continued to work on his ideas, but he then took those beliefs and applied them to his own life. Martin Luther spent a number of years “defining the faith” and then the remainder of his life “living the faith.” Katherine von Bora and Martin Luther both deserted their life of obedience, poverty and celibacy to “live the faith” together.

On November 10, 1483, Martin Luther was born to Hans and Margarethe Luther in Isleben, Germany.1 At this time Germany was part of the Holy Roman Empire. Hans Luther had high ambitions
During the times that Martin was away Katharina was expected to maintain their home and children as well as provide a place of comfort for his students that often stayed at the Luther residence.37 While Martin was away, he often wrote to his wife. He considered Katharina his equal. This is evident after reading just one of his letters. Luther writes:

Luther wanted to hear from his wife desperately. Katharina must have felt intimidated by the intelligence of Martin or she was simply too busy to respond, but she rarely would write him back. He often wrote about missing her and longing to be back together with his family. In one letter Martin begs Katharina to write him back when saying:

“ I have received the children’s letters and also that of a B.A. {Baccalarien = a man with a bachelor’s degree] (who is no child)… but from you I have received nothing. The fourth letter (this one) would you, God willing, answer for once with your own hand.”
At the end of the letter he signs, “Martinus Luther, Your sweetheart.”39 This alone speaks strongly. Martin continuously addressed Katharina in loving ways such as, “to my beloved Kethe, Mrs. Doctor Lutherin,” “my little dear,” or “to my beloved housewife.”40 Katharina on the other hand, when she would write to Martin she would address him by “Sir Doctor.”41 Martin considered and treated Katharina as his equal, but she did not react the same way. Katharina saw Martin as her superior. He rescued her from her life in the convent and he started the Protestant reformation. She probably felt that her accomplishments where so miniscule compared to his accomplishments and therefore felt that he was her