Martin Luther (1483-1546), German, Christian theologian and Augustinian monk. His teachings and writings, which led to his excommunication by Pope Leo X in 1521, inspired the Lutheran Reformation. The Peasants' War of 1524-1525 was in response to the preachings of Luther and other reformers. Although, when the peasants' atrocities were reported Luther condemned their actions. He was the first to translate the bible into German, publish- ing the New testament in 1521 and the Old in 1534. His writings on Judaism were initially that Jews had not been taught the New Testament, but later they became anti-Semitic. The Lutheran Church publicly rejected these preachings in 1994.