Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk, priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. His teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions, as well as the course of Western civilization.     Luther's Major Contribution to Christian Beliefs     He believed in justification by Faith: People receive God's divine gift of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through Faith. Sins are forgiven by the sheer mercy of God. Luther objected to indulgences (buying the Church favors such as forgiveness of sins) and critiqued their use by nailing 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany on October 31, 1517. Luther's Most Famous Hymm     A MIGHTY FORTRESS US OUR GOD, A SWORD AND SHIELD VICTORIOUS; HE BREAKS THE CRUEL OPPRESSOR'S ROD AND WINS SALVATION GLORIOUS. THE OLD SATANIC FOE HAS SWORN TO WORK US WOE! WITH CRAFT AND DREADFUL MIGHT HE ARMS HIMSELF TO FIGHT ON EARTH HE HAS NO EQUAL.     Luther's Timeline     1483 - Born 1507 - Became Ordained Priest 1511 - Doctor of Philosophy 1517 - 95 Thesis 1523 - Translated Bible 1546 - Death