Consequently, the young Martensen upbrought in a multicultural situation and reconciliation of different cultures became his one of central interests through his life.

He married, secondly, to Virginie Henriette Constance Bidoulac (8 April 1817 - 13 May 1904), daughter of language teacher Joseph B.

[1] His contributions to theological literature included treatises on Christian ethics and dogmatics, on moral philosophy, on baptism, and a sketch of the life of German philosopher Jakob Böhme (1575–1624) whose works exercised a marked influence on the mind of English theologian William Law (1686-1761).

The "official" eulogy he pronounced upon Bishop Jacob Peter Mynster (1775–1854) in 1854, in which he affirmed that the deceased man was one of the authentic truth-witnesses of Christianity to have appeared in the world since apostolic times, brought down upon his head the invectives of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.

[5] Icelandic theologian Magnús Eiríksson (1806–1881), who lived in Copenhagen from 1831 until his death, was very critical of Martensen's speculative theology, which he attacked in various publications from 1844 to 1850.

A marble copy is part of the collection of the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød.

An autobiography, Aus meinem Leben, appeared in 1883, and after his death the Briefwechsel zwischen Martensen und Dorner.