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99th out of 1,940 books
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1,876 voters
Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther
Here is an authoritative, unforgettable biography of Martin Luther, the great religious leader, who entered a monastery as a youth and who, as a man, shattered the structure of the medieval church. Luther spoke out against the corrupt religious practices that then existed. His demanded that the authority for doctrine and practice be Scriptures, rather than Popes or Council...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
April 1st 1995
by Plume
(first published 1950)
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Jul 24, 2009
Wayne
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
monks and sinners - no diff actually
Recommended to Wayne by:
a unit on Reformation History
As a young Catholic monk, I and several other students were sent off to Adelaide University.I chose English and History.
And the first unit of History was the Reformation.
When I came to read about Martin Luther, (I can recall the book, the library, the sunlight AND the dawning that I totally agreed with him), my own Reformation had already begun but now I found I had allies I never expected.
And later when I heard my new mate labelled as "a Wolf in Sheep's clothing" by one of our priests(my forme...more
And the first unit of History was the Reformation.
When I came to read about Martin Luther, (I can recall the book, the library, the sunlight AND the dawning that I totally agreed with him), my own Reformation had already begun but now I found I had allies I never expected.
And later when I heard my new mate labelled as "a Wolf in Sheep's clothing" by one of our priests(my forme...more
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Simply wonderful. This missing fifth star is an indictment of me, not of Bainton or Luther. The chapters on politics and economics were just brutally dull to my dull mind, and my interest was lost for months on end. As for the rest, I love Luther and I love this recounting of his life and influence. I wish I had better reading habits, especially that of keeping a pen handy to mark and underline, because this volume was replete with gems. We owe so much to Brother Martin, and I was grateful for t...more
Bainton masterfully weaves together gigantic life of Luther.
"If a German is asked whether a passage of Luther's Bible is not remarkable, he may answer that this is precisely the way in which any German would speak. But the reason is simply that every German has been reared on Luther's version. The influence of the man on is people was deepest in the home. In fact the home was the only sphere of life which the Reformation profoundly affected. Economics went the way of capitalism and politics the...more
"If a German is asked whether a passage of Luther's Bible is not remarkable, he may answer that this is precisely the way in which any German would speak. But the reason is simply that every German has been reared on Luther's version. The influence of the man on is people was deepest in the home. In fact the home was the only sphere of life which the Reformation profoundly affected. Economics went the way of capitalism and politics the...more
After reading The Unquenchable Flame, I had to re-read this biography of Luther. This is regarded as the classic biography on the life of Martin Luther and it certainly holds up to this standard. I appreciate Bainton's effort to be honest about Luther's strengths and weaknesses. The weaknesses only help us see better the greatness of the God Luther served instead of glorifying the man. On the other hand stands Luthers prodigious life work which among other things includes a translation of the Sc...more
This biography focuses mainly on the development of Luther's theology, which is what I wanted to read about in the first place. It was cool to see how God used his personality to effect change. At first, Luther was just looking for an argument--he hated the rampant selling of indulgences, and Rome had little to say. If Rome had said it was okay, Luther might have stayed quiet. As time progressed and his understanding increased, Luther became more and more emphatic for truth. I laughed and cringe...more
This is a nice beginning biography of one of the world's most remarkable men. It is an older book that hails from the early 1950's. It is a really good overview of Luther's life and his encounters with the outside world, especially up till about 1525. It seems aimed at a believing Christian readership. That is, Mr. Bainton, the author, seems to be a believer who appreciates very much Luther's lifetime spiritual struggle and his scriptural resolution of it in the doctrine of justification by fait...more
I loved this book. Every person, Christian and non-Christian alike, should educate themselves about the world that they live in and read about the life of Martin Luther. Luther is inspiring, and though he was far from perfect, he transformed the world, attacked the phony wisdom of man, and brought the Scriptures back to their proper place. For Luther, the conscience had the primary place in religion - which is the place it has in the Bible - which is why he was able to unlock its great secret: t...more
This is my third reading of this book. Roland Bainton was a Lutheran historian, and this is probably the definitive biography of Luther in English. For obvious reasons this book will hold more appeal for Protestants than Catholics; nevertheless, Bainton does not whitewash Luther's faults, particularly towards the end of his life. It is a very good history of the Reformation; each time I read it, I learn or remember something new about that tumultuous period of time. Bainton also explains extreme...more
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Pope Benedict XVI resigned Feb 28th and was flown to the Castel Gandolfo summer retreat where he will temporarily reside while renovations of his permanent residence is completed. Who will the next Pope be??
All this has rekindled my interest in Religious History. This biography published in the 1950's covers the Reformation, the Lutheran and Protestant faiths and history of Catholicism.
75 pages left...Martin Luther sure led a full life as a German monk who ending up marrying a nun, fathering s...more
All this has rekindled my interest in Religious History. This biography published in the 1950's covers the Reformation, the Lutheran and Protestant faiths and history of Catholicism.
75 pages left...Martin Luther sure led a full life as a German monk who ending up marrying a nun, fathering s...more
I think the only reason I didn't give this book a higher rating is because I decided to listen to it as an audiobook, and the reading was overwhelmingly boring at times. I enjoyed learning of Luther's early years as a Catholic monk. I found it also interesting how opposed his parents were to what he was doing in the ministry because it was not a good way to financially support them. His view on marriage, and why he ultimately married was fascinating.
Thank God for Martin Luther. This book is a bi...more
Thank God for Martin Luther. This book is a bi...more
An interesting if not particularly enjoyable read. The author's adoration of Luther comes across quite clearly, so it's a useful book for comparing different perspectives. I would never consider this a history text, but this would likely be a worthwhile book for anyone interested in religious history, regardless of which side of whatever fence you stand on. Also, I can't deny that Martin Luther is a major historical figure, so I'm glad to have read at least one biography on him, even if it was t...more
Halloween is just a week away. In our house, we don’t celebrate it with bats and monsters and sugar-rushes (okay, maybe we get our sugar-rush). But because we don’t advocate for celebrating death and The Fall in general (for that’s what Halloween is essentially celebrating), we gather around the TV and watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Luther (rated PG-13 for very brief disturbing images of violence).
Read the rest here: http://adoptingjames.wordpress.com/20...
Read the rest here: http://adoptingjames.wordpress.com/20...
Wow. This is a worthy read about the one of the most influential and controversial leaders in church history. I found Bainton fair in his treatement. By no means is this a critical biography, but Luther's weaknesses are brought out with his strengths emphasized.
I wrestle with giving this 5 stars.
Bainton's text is fluid and reads like a novel. Although full of documentation (Bainton is a serious scholar), the notes are all at the end by page number. The book is a joy to read without the interrupt...more
I wrestle with giving this 5 stars.
Bainton's text is fluid and reads like a novel. Although full of documentation (Bainton is a serious scholar), the notes are all at the end by page number. The book is a joy to read without the interrupt...more
Though sometimes long in the tooth, this was quite an enjoyable read---if you're interested in the Luther or the Reformation that is.
It contains many quotes from Luther and his contemporaries which help to give the book a sense of relevance. It is packed with useful information, but of course that it is important to remember, that Bainton, like all authors/historians had an agenda.
While he claims to want to show the man behind the myth, he cannot help but perpetuate the myth in his writing. For...more
It contains many quotes from Luther and his contemporaries which help to give the book a sense of relevance. It is packed with useful information, but of course that it is important to remember, that Bainton, like all authors/historians had an agenda.
While he claims to want to show the man behind the myth, he cannot help but perpetuate the myth in his writing. For...more
I must say this was one of the WORST books I've ever read to date. I seriously could not get past the first chapter. The only reason I read this book was because of a European History class I was taking but if it was my choice, I would never have chose to read this book. If you're into reading about boring catholic monks who want to revolt against the government, then this book is for you.
My copy comes from 1978, I have read it a number of times and each time am left in awe of this man who stood because he could do no other. He changed the world and while he was not perfect, he would remind the reader he couldn't be as he was a man, he was the man who enabled everyone after him to have the right to talk to their God without the need for an earthly intermediary.
This book is well-written and very informative. I wish the print had been a bit easier to read; I don't like when the format interferes with the reading experience. I learned so much about Luther as a German and have a better idea of the progression of his thought, as well as the timeline leading up to the Diet at Worms. I also appreciate the abundance of references to direct sources, especially Luther himself.
This was a good book. I really enjoyed the insights into the life of Luther. At times I was shaking my head thinking, "WHAT!?!" Other times I was moved to tears over the struggles he faced. This was a good book. I feel like I know Luther now. Even though I really do not know him at all. If you are interested in reading on Luther check this one out.
"Hier stehe ich, und kann nicht anders." With these words Martin Luther, a German priest, set in motion the greatest change that Europe had seen since the final sack of Rome by the Vandals a thousand years before. Luther's '95 Theses', which, in the style of the day, he nailed to the door of the nearest castle church, demanded that the Papacy behave in a manner befitting of its position. What followed was decades of war as northern Europe broke away from Catholicism, while Mediterranean Europe s...more
Liked it. It really preserved the atmosphere of the time and I felt like I was getting to know Luther by the end. The most moving part was the description of the laity finally receiving the Eucharist and being blessed by the minister in their native tongue. They must have felt like the apostle John: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."
had to read with a dictionary on hand and learn a lot of catholic terms and just general new terms. It was slow and somewhat confusing for me at parts, this book is not a really easy read, but very interesting and great at understanding Luther and his thought. A lot of interesting relations with others explained.
Its funny to think that the Protestant religion - today, at least, a moderate and forward-looking religion - is based on the writings of this man, one of the evilest human beings that ever lived. He was also the acknowledged inspiration for the Nazi party which should tell you plenty of his sentiments on race and the value of life. Not only did he advocate violence against Jews but was behind the Peasants' War where thousands died, and all because he felt that men should not ape their betters no...more
This is supposed to be the definitive biography of Martin Luther. I read this book before I joined the Lutheran Church in order to see what the man was about. I came away with a better understanding of the man behind the reformation in Germany, and the reformation in General. It filled a gap that was seriously lacking in my education. It is a dry read, but very comprehensive. It is a book that I think any Lutheran should read at least once and anyone else interested in reformation history. (Here...more
This is a very in-depth look at the life of the reformer, and is the standard Luther biography today. It's not an easy read by any means, make sure you have a dictionary at your side for this one.
Only three stars because it sometimes was like trying to army crawl through the swamps of the Everglades.
Only three stars because it sometimes was like trying to army crawl through the swamps of the Everglades.
This book was a very helpful overview of the live and times of Martin Luther. With the many long and meaty quotes from Luther and his contemporaries, it also serves as a good primer on Luther's work and perspectives. I thought Bainton did a good job of not refusing to discuss the controversial things written by Luther, and was willing to critique his perspectives where it was helpful to do so. Bainton does dismiss some of the criticisms against Luther, and provides good context around why Luther...more
I grew up in a good Lutheran household, so Luther has always been a figure that I'd had some degree of admiration towards. However, I admit I was somewhat nervous that this book might simply be a propaganda track on Luther's great accomplishments without much critical analysis.
Thankfully, as far as I can tell, Bainton took an evenhanded approach to Luther's life, and didn't shy away from pointing out Luther's hypocrisy or other faults. It's a short book, but one that I read over a long period of...more
Thankfully, as far as I can tell, Bainton took an evenhanded approach to Luther's life, and didn't shy away from pointing out Luther's hypocrisy or other faults. It's a short book, but one that I read over a long period of...more
Apr 03, 2011
Michelle
is currently reading it
I've been reading this one for a long time and am almost done! It is a long academic biography on Martin Luther. Well written. Not specifically written from a Christian perspective but not antagonistic to Christianity either (I believe the author has a Christian background).
interesting biography on Martin Luther.
"Heir stehe ich, ich kann nicht ander, Gott hilf mir".
First words I translated using a small German dictionary I had purchased in a small shop not far from the cathedral when I arrived in Worms, Germany in 1975.
"Heir stehe ich, ich kann nicht ander, Gott hilf mir".
First words I translated using a small German dictionary I had purchased in a small shop not far from the cathedral when I arrived in Worms, Germany in 1975.
What a wonderful man is revealed in this superb biogaraphy. As a born and bred Catholic, born in the mid-twentieth century, my knowledge of Martin Luther was restricted to what I heard from the nuns and brothers, who were not very favorable to him. If he were alive today, I reckon he would make a wonderful Pope, as 500 years ago, he was able to see and try to correct the errors which had crept into the papacy. Now that we have Francis I as Pope, perhaps our Church will now catch up to at least s...more
An excellent biography on one of the most influential men of all time. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the political arena in which he fought (even though I disagreed with some of his political views) This is a true literary classic.
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A specialist in Reformation history, Roland H. Bainton was for forty-two years Titus Street Professor of ecclesiastical history at Yale, and he continued his writing well into his twenty years of retirement. Bainton wore his scholarship lightly and had a lively, readable style.
More about Roland Herbert Bainton...
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