Synopses & Reviews
The sixteenth-century German friar whose public conflict with the medieval Roman Church triggered the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther was neither an unblemished saint nor a single-minded religious zealot according to this provocative new biography by Scott Hendrix. The author presents Luther as a man of his time: a highly educated scholar and teacher and a gifted yet flawed human being driven by an optimistic yet ultimately unrealized vision of andldquo;true religion.andrdquo;
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This bold, insightful account of the life of Martin Luther provides a new perspective on one of the most important religious figures in history, focusing on Lutherandrsquo;s entire life, his personal relationships and political motivations, rather than on his theology alone. Relying on the latest research and quoting extensively from Lutherandrsquo;s correspondence, Hendrix paints a richly detailed portrait of an extraordinary man who, while devout and courageous, had a dark side as well. No recent biography in English explores as fully the life and work of Martin Luther long before and far beyond the controversial posting of his 95 Theses in 1517, an event that will soon be celebrated as the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Synopsis
When Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses (reputedly nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg), he unwittingly launch a movement that would dramatically change the course of European history. This superb short introduction to Martin Luther, written by a leading authority on Luther and the Reformation, presents this pivotal figure as historians now see him. Instead of singling him out as a modern hero, historian Scott Hendrix emphasizes the context in which Luther worked, the colleagues who supported him, and the opponents who adamantly opposed his agenda for change. The author explains the religious reformation and Luther's importance without ignoring the political and cultural forces, like princely power and Islam, which led the reformation down paths Luther could neither foresee nor influence. The book pays tribute to Luther's genius but also recognizes the self-righteous attitude that alienated contemporaries. The author offers a unique explanation for that attitude and for Luther's anti-Jewish writings, which are especially hard to comprehend after the Holocaust.
Synopsis
Aand#160;fresh account of the life of Martin Luther
About the Author
Scott H. Hendrix is emeritus professor of reformation history, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the author of numerous works of Reformation history, including Luther and the Papacy and Recultivating the Vineyard: The Reformation Agendas of Christianization. He lives in Pittsboro, NC.
Table of Contents
1. Luther and the Reformation
2. Becoming A Reformer
3. The Labors of Reform
4. Luther's Bible
5. A New Christianity
6. The Political Reformation
7. From Monk to Family Man
8. Luthers Demons
9. Assessing Luther's Legacy
10. Myths and Misunderstandings
11. Reading about Luther