Europe in the Age of the Reformation

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Martin Luther

Luther in Mid-life

After 1525, Luther's life changed dramatically. He married Katy von Bora with whom he had six children. He also took in students (he was still professor at Wittenberg) and occasional relatives, and his household was at times as large as twenty-five. He also preached, undertook pastoral duties, and continued is Biblical researches and writings. He published a commentary on Galatians in 1531 and on Genesis in 1535. He participated in visitations, and his experiences there in 1528 led directly to his writing of the Large and Small Catechisms, which were to serve as a virtual handbook for Lutheranism.

He continued, too, to participate in the Reformation at large, most notably in efforts at bridging the gap between different Protestant sects. He was at the famous Colloquy of Marburg in 1529 and helped Melanchthon with drafting the Augsburg Confession in 1530. He wrote the Schmalkald Articles, which formed the theological statement for the League of Schmalkalden.