Synopses & Reviews
Martin Luther contributed extensively to the sixteenth century 'debate about women' with his writings on women and related subjects such as marriage, the family and sexuality. In this volume, Merry Wiesner-Hanks and Susan Karant-Nunn bring together a vast selection of these works, translating many into English for the first time. They include sermons, lectures, pamphlets, polemic writings, letters and some informal 'table talk' recorded by his followers. The book is arranged into chapters on Biblical women, marriage, sexuality, childbirth and witchcraft, as well as on Luther's relations with his wife and other contemporary women. The editors, both internationally-known scholars on Reformation and women, provide a general introduction to each chapter, and Luther's own colourful words fuel both sides of the debate about whether the Protestant Reformation was beneficial or detrimental to women. This collection will make a wide range of Luther's works accessible to English-speaking scholars, students and general readers.
Synopsis
This collection brings together selections from Martin Luther's extensive writings on women, the vast majority of which are translated here into English for the first time. It includes chapters on Eve and the nature of women, the Virgin Mary, Biblical women, marriage, sexuality, childbirth, Luther's relations with his wife and other contemporary women, and witchcraft. Merry Wiesner-Hanks and Susan Karant-Nunn provide a general introduction to each chapter, and Luther's actual texts add fuel to the debate concerned with whether the Protestant Reformation was beneficial or detrimental to women.
Synopsis
This collection brings together a wide selection of Martin Lutherâs extensive writings on women.
About the Author
Merry Wiesner is Professor of History and Director, Comparative Study of Religion Program and the Center for Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeSusan Karant-Nunn is Professor of History and Director, Division for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies, University of Arizona
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: 2. Eve and the nature of women; Sermons; Lectures on Genesis; Tabletalk: 3. Mary; Maryâs birth; The annunciation; The visitation and the magnificat; The incarnation and the birth of Christ; Maryâs purification; The wedding at Cana; Table talk about Mary: 4. Biblical women other than Eve and Mary; Womenâs prophesying, preaching, and other roles; Sarah; Hagar; Lotâs wife; Rebecca; Leah and Rachel; Dinah; Tamar; Potipharâs wife; Judith; Womenâs role; Anna and the prophetess; Mary and Martha; Woman with the issue of blood; Women at the tomb; Mary Magdalene: 5. Marriage and the family; Sermons; Treatises on marriage; Advice book to pastors; Other works; Tabletalk: 6. Sexuality; Sexual desire; Adultery; Prostitution; Other sexual issues: 7. Childbirth: 8. Katharina von Bora, Lutherâs wife; Lutherâs letters to his wife; Letters to others; Lutherâs will; Tabletalk: 9. Luther and other contemporary women; Letters to his mother; Letters to other women; Letters from women; Letters about women; Letters and other writings about the Hornung marriage: 10. Witchcraft and magic: For further reading.