Synopses & Reviews
In 1521, the Catholic Church declared war on Martin Luther. The German monk had already been excommunicated the year before, after nailing his Ninety-Five Theseswhich accused the Church of rampant corruptionto the door of a Saxon church. Now, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V called for Luther to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic.” The edict was akin to a death sentence: If Luther was caught, he would almost inevitably be burned at the stake, his fragile movement crushed, and the nascent Protestant Reformation strangled in its cradle.
In Luthers Fortress, acclaimed historian James Reston, Jr. describes this crucial but little-known episode in Luthers life and reveals its pivotal role in Christian history. Realizing the danger to their leader, Luthers followers spirited him away to Wartburg Castle, deep in central Germany. There he hid for the next ten months, as his fateand that of the Reformationhung in the balance. Yet instead of cowering in fear, Luther spent his time at Wartburg strengthening his movement and refining his theology in ways that would guarantee the survival of Protestantism. He devoted himself to biblical study and spiritual contemplation; he fought both his papist critics and his own inner demons (and, legend has it, the devil himself); and he held together his fractious and increasingly radicalized reform movement from afar. During this time Luther also crystallized some of his most significant ideas about Christianity and translated the New Testament into Germanan accomplishment that, perhaps more than any other, solidified his legacy and spread his bold new religious philosophy across Europe.
Drawing on Luthers correspondence, notes, and other writings, Luthers Fortress presents an earthy, gripping portrait of the Reformations architect at this transformational moment, revealing him at his most productive, courageous, and profound.
Review
An engaging study of a short but explosive period in the life of the great reformer and translator of the Bible
In a swift-moving narrative, Reston examines all of the aspects of this tumultuous time for the reformer. An intensive journey inside Luther's thinking as it was forming in opposition to the church.”
Kirkus Reviews
Review
[A] crisply written narrative.... The author details in exemplary fashion what was so important and influential about his subject's life and works.... A fine, scholarly but accessible treatment of a key period in the life of one of the most influential persons in the history of Christianity.”
Library Journal
[A] cogent history.... Restons superb juxtaposition of Luthers solitude in Wartburg and the instability in both Rome and Wittenberg demonstrates how truly perilous a moment this was in the history of the burgeoning Reformation.”
Publishers Weekly
An engaging study of a short but explosive period in the life of the great reformer and translator of the Bible.... In a swift-moving narrative, Reston examines all of the aspects of this tumultuous time for the reformer. An intensive journey inside Luther's thinking as it was forming in opposition to the church.”
Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
In 1521, the Catholic Church was hunting for Martin Luther. Angered by the Christian reformers unapologetic criticisms of the Church, the Holy Roman Emperor had called for him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic.” Knowing that Inquisitors would murder the monk and crush his fragile movement if they caught him, Luthers followers spirited him away to Wartburg Castle in central Germany. There Luther hid for the next eight months as his fateand that of the Reformationhung in the balance.
In Luthers Fortress, acclaimed religious historian James Reston, Jr. describes this crucial but little-known episode in Luthers life. While at Wartburg, Luther translated the Bible, fought his inner demons, and held together his fractious and increasingly radicalized movement from afar. A gripping portrait of the theologian at a transformational moment, Luthers Fortress reveals how Luther and his Reformation emerged from Wartburg Castle stronger than ever.
About the Author
James Reston, Jr. is the author of sixteen books, including the international bestseller Warriors of God. A senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, he lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Table of Contents
PrologueOne. The Birth of a Contrarian
Two. Worms
Three. Appointment at Altenstein
Four. Patmos
Five. Lowly Monk Versus Lofty King
Six Unclean Thoughts, Devouring Fires
Seven. Rivals Surface
Eight. Wrestling the Devil
Nine. The New Creature
Ten. A Clandestine Mission
Eleven. Twenty-Seven Books in Ten Weeks
Twelve. Rome
Thirteen. All Alone
Fourteen. Fanatics Take Over
Fifteen. Liberation
Sixteen. Consolidation
Seventeen. Fruition
Epilogue