Tyranny and Resistance: The Magdeburg Confession and the Lutheran Tradition

by David M. Whitford

his book examines the relationship between Luther’s understanding of “what makes a Christian” (author’s phrase) and his view of Christian political involvement. Luther’s theological reflections on this subject and hispolitical responses have been controversial since their initial expression. Modern interpretations of Luther’s contributions have been dominated by negative judgments. Luther has been accused of fostering a quietist response to the government that is politically conservative at best and reactionary at worst (i.e. the government must always be obeyed whether it is right or wrong).

Tyranny and Resistance addresses these modern judgments by examining Luther’s political theory and by analyzing the Magdeburg Confession of 1550. It begins with an overview of Luther’s theology in general and resistance in particular by examining the Peasants’ War of 1525 and the Augsburg Recess of 1530. Whitford argues that in Luther there is a connection between Christian identity and community action.

Genres: Politics, Religion, History

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful look at the Lutheran doctrine of political resistance, as it emerged in Luther and was developed in the Magdeburg confession.

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

good historical background and exegesis of the Magdeburg Confessions. Worth reading.