The Christian in Society, Vol. IV

Luther's Works #47

by Martin Luther, Franklin Sherman

In these four treatises, written between 1530 and 1542, we see Luther wrestling with volatile aspects of the Christian's ethical attitude toward the governing authorities, toward other Christians who appeared to be preaching incorrect doctrines, and toward the Jews. This volume completes the section of Luther's Works on the Christian in society.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Reference

340 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1971

About the author

Martin 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.

Reviews

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a hard read for me, considering it contains the two harsh writings of Luther against the Jewish people: “Against the Sabbatarians” and “On the Jews and their Lies”. I did not enjoy reading them, and I am very sad that Luther wrote them, especially the latter. I do think it is worthwhile for us to see the failure of our “heroes” - and for me, I see the danger of letting anger take control of your words. As a Lutheran Pastor, I do ask forgiveness for how these words of Luther, have been used against the Jewish people, especially by the Nazi party and their heirs.

The other two works, were quite good reads :)

Now on to Volume 48

[Matthew Deaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you rate this work? According to personal benefit? Historical insight? This volume includes Luther's writing "On the Jews and Their Lies" and is hard to read after gleaning so much Biblical insight from Luther's other writings.