Martin Luther's Theology: Its Historical and Systematic Development

by Bernhard Lohse

This definitive analysis of the theology of Martin Luther surveys its development during the crises of Luther's life, then offers a systematic survey by topics. Containing a wealth of quotations from less-known writings by Luther and written in a way that will interest both scholar and novice, Lohse's magisterial volume is the first to evaluate Luther's theology in both ways. Lohse's historical analysis takes up Luther's early exegetical works and then his debates with traditions important to him in the context of the various controversies leading up to his dispute with the Antinomians. The systematic treatment shows how the meaning of ancient Christian doctrines took their place within the central teaching of justification by faith.

Genres: Theology, Academic, Church History

393 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lohse first traces the historical development of Luther's theology. Then in the second half of the book he gives a summary of Luther's ideas primarily related to the traditional categories of systematic theology. I found his historical section more helpful than his systematic section. I also think it would have been more helpful to combine his two purposes together. In other words, survey the history and then immediately state his summary of Luther's ideas. Unfortunately I found his summaries sometimes a muddled mess (like Luther's theology). The problem of course is that: 1) Luther never attempted to summarize his theology as Melanchthon and Calvin later did; 2) Luther was not as clear a writer as either one of them either. Bottom line this had helpful sections but was not the definitve work hoped for.

[Neil White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really solid treatment of Martin Luther's theological development. Bernhard Lohse's approach which begins by examining Luther's development throughout his life and then looking at systematic themes is very helpful. He provides enough historical background to be interesting and a balanced discussion of topics like scripture, reason, faith, creation, Christology, the Spirit, justification, death and eschatology as well as a treatment of Luther's perspective on Judaism as an excursus at the end. This is both thorough and readable.

[Joseph Sverker]

40 years of lecturing and reading Luther and Lohse writes what must in many ways be a definitive study on Luther. He has covered everything of Luther's writing (at least so it seems) and make constant references back to the sources. In addition to that he also present much of where current scholarship stands on many questions regarding Luther. This is somewhat biased towards German, and to a small extent Scandinavian, research. The structure of the book is genial and can only be carried out by someone with an extensive knowledge of Luther and the general history of the Reformation that we find in Lohse. The excursus on Luther and the Jews is also very helpful in order to understand a very contaminated area of research and an area in which much accusation is made on Luther. Lohse argues that the question must be understood in its historical and theological context, which is obvious, but not easy.

I don't have much to critique in this book. I do have one comment though and that is that I think that Lohse is at times making Luther very much an independent thinker. I common comment in the book is that Luther did not follow the general thinking, or traditional way of reading, or the medieval understanding of this or that topic. This is probably true in for example justification, and Luther appear to have been a very independent mind, but just exactly how independent is it possible to be? Although if I would have to bet I would bet that Lohse is correct in his analysis rather than me in my critique. But in that case, one can only say that Luther had an impressive mind and an impressive ability to break away from tradition in order to make theology for his contemporaries and beyond.

[Terese]

I didn't exactly read this for pleasure, so it's hard to give a review, but it is definitely a book that does its best at systematizing Luther's theology through the years. It is full of information necessary for Luther studies and I'm sure lots of people, probably mostly academics, can have a pleasure in this book. Why only academics?

Because who else is going to go through a book entirely printed in a small, bold font? Why do this? It makes the text so dense and when the subject is already pretty heavy and demanding, why? Just why? It just seems like a way to deter people from reading it.