Synopses & Reviews
Upon its publication in 1985,
Luther's Theology of the Cross received widespread acclaim as one of the most innovative and important works on Luther scholarship in recent memory. In this re-written and revised edition of his classic text, Alister McGrath draws on new sources and advances in our understanding of late medieval intellectual, cultural and religious life to offer a fresh understanding of this pivotal moment in Protestant history.
Martin Luther's early "theological breakthrough" is widely considered to be of fundamental importance to the history of the Reformation and development of Protestantism. McGrath reshapes and hones his initial argument to take into account advances in our understanding of the late medieval world-view and scholastic theology, and Luther's own theology of justification (including the so-called 'Finnish school'). Many of these developments have not yet been incorporated into Luther scholarship. The result is a second edition which will be as innovative and ground-breaking as the first.
This new edition is certain to find a wide readership amongst all those interested in Martin Luther, the intellectual history of the late Middle Ages and sixteenth century, and those interested in the Reformation and the development of Protestantism. English-speaking readers will especially appreciate its extensive use and assessment of recent German-language scholarship, especially of currents in the late Middle Ages.
Review
"The first edition of this book was an excellent guide to Luther's breakthrough to a theology of the cross. This new fuller and updated edition is to be greatly welcomed."
—Tony Lane, London School of Theology
Synopsis
Martin Luther occupies a place of major importance in the history of the Christian Church, the history of Europe and the history of religious thought. His significance derives in part from his youthful wrestling with a major theological problem. What that problem was, and how he resolved it, are of the greatest interest to historians and theologians alike.
This book presents the most detailed examination in English to date of Luther's theological breakthrough, together with a wealth of information concerning the theological development of the young Luther in its late medieval context. Widely regarded as one of the most important works on Luther published in recent years, this paperback edition of Alister McGrath's classic text will be welcomed by students and scholars of both theology and history.
Synopsis
This book presents the most detailed examination in English to date of Luther's theological breakthrough, together with a wealth of information concerning the theological development of the young Luther in its late medieval context.
Synopsis
Luther's Theology of the Cross represents a fully revised and updated edition of the classic 1985 text that expands on the author's ongoing research and reflects 25 years of Luther scholarship.
- Rewritten and expanded edition of a highly-acclaimed classic text
- Incorporates primary and secondary sources that have become available since the publication of the first edition
- Draws on advances in our understanding of the late medieval intellectual, cultural, and religious background of Luther's early development, and the nature of Luther's doctrine of justification (including the so-called 'Finnish' school), many of which have not yet been incorporated into Luther scholarship
- Luther's 'theological breakthrough' continues to be of central importance to Reformation Studies and the development of Protestantism
- Written by one of the world's leading Protestant theologians, who is an authority on the development of the doctrine of justification. His classic work Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification is now in its third edition (2005)
About the Author
"McGrath has made a major contribution to this problem of Luther studies by his learned, lucid and informative book."
Journal of Theological Studies.
"It is refreshing to turn to Alister McGrath's study, Luther's Theology of the Cross, and to see how a work which is uncompromisingly theological in its focus can be rigorously historical throughout ... a work of impressive scholarship distinguished at the same time by a clarity of expression all too rare in books of this kind ... McGrath's magisterial study ... brings the most traditional of themes into fresh historical focus." Journal of Ecclesiastical History.
"A study of the first rank." Choice.
"Is a major study of Luther's theology, and ought to be consulted by everyone teaching the Reformation, and by Luther scholars in particular. An impressive achievement at the level of theological sophistication that has established McGrath as one of the pre-eminent Luther scolars. Its arguments are very tight and it displays a complete mastery of Luther scholarship." Journal of Religious History.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
Abbreviations.
Introduction.
Part One: The Background: Luther as a Late Medieval Theologian, 1509-1514.
1 The Dawn of the Reformation at Wittenberg.
The late medieval context.
The concept of "justification" in Christian thought.
The reform of the church and the renewal of spirituality.
The Ninety-Five Theses.
The importance of the present study.
2 Headwaters of the Reformation at Wittenberg: Humanism, Nominalism, and the Augustinian Tradition.
The via moderna and via antiqua at Wittenberg.
A new school of thought? The via Gregorii at Wittenberg.
Luther and the Augustinian Order.
Humanism: The studia humanitatis at Wittenberg.
Nominalism: The via moderna at Wittenberg.
The Augustinian tradition: A modern Augustinian school at Wittenberg?
3 Luther as a Late Medieval Theologian.
The Dictata super Psalterium.
Luther's biblical hermeneutic, 1513-1514.
The debate over the date of Luther's theological breakthrough.
Part Two: The Breakthrough: Luther in Transition, 1514-1519.
4 Mira et nova diffinitio iustitiae: Luther's Discovery of the Righteousness of God.
Luther's difficulties in the light of late medieval theology.
The theological pactum and existential anxiety.
"The righteousness of God" and "the righteousness of faith".
Luther's exposition of Psalms 70 (71) and 71 (72).
Luther's break with the soteriology of the via moderna (1515).
The nature and significance of Luther's critique of Aristotle.
The nature and date of Luther's theological breakthrough.
5 Crux sola est nostra theologia: The Emergence of the Theology of the Cross, 1514-1519.
The Heidelberg Disputation (1518) and the "theology of the cross".
The leading themes of Luther's "theology of the cross".
The "righteousness of God" and the "theology of the cross".
The "theology of the cross" as a critique of analogical language about God.
The "crucified and hidden God".
Faith, doubt, and Anfechtung.
Luther's theological development, 1509-1519: A summary.
Select Bibliography.
Index.