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Luther--selected political writings
Paperback. Previous owner's name penned on half title page. Slight wear on all edges of text with slight browning on upper edge of text. Otherwise VG
153 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 1974
About the author
Martin Luther
5,195 books863 followersMartin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, university professor and church reformer whose ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization.
Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented.
His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.
Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.
Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented.
His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.
Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 21, 2024
This short book contains nine articles about the reform of Christian Estates, rights and duties of the Peasants, whether soldiers can be saved, the war against Turks and his warning to the German people.
Luther developed three major doctrines as a foundation of his political thought: the primacy of Scripture as the word of God, justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers.
He argues that clergy should not be a separate caste and that each Christian has a right to be selected by his community to represent it and care for their spiritual needs. He reminds his readers that - "In times gone by, Christians used to choose their bishops and priests from their own number, and they were confirmed in their office by the other bishops without all the fuss that goes on nowadays. St. Augustine, Ambrose and Cyprian each became a bishop in this way."(p.41)
He also argues whether the pope is the only one who can call a council. He quotes the Acts of Apostles to show that the first one was not called by St. Peter but by the apostles and elders (p.47). Even the Council of Nicea was called by the emperor Constantine.
Luther developed three major doctrines as a foundation of his political thought: the primacy of Scripture as the word of God, justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers.
He argues that clergy should not be a separate caste and that each Christian has a right to be selected by his community to represent it and care for their spiritual needs. He reminds his readers that - "In times gone by, Christians used to choose their bishops and priests from their own number, and they were confirmed in their office by the other bishops without all the fuss that goes on nowadays. St. Augustine, Ambrose and Cyprian each became a bishop in this way."(p.41)
He also argues whether the pope is the only one who can call a council. He quotes the Acts of Apostles to show that the first one was not called by St. Peter but by the apostles and elders (p.47). Even the Council of Nicea was called by the emperor Constantine.
June 28, 2012
A useful little collection, but I prefer the Cambridge collection on Luther and Calvin.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews