The Unreformed Martin Luther

by Andreas Malessa, Paul L. Maier (Foreword)

Will the real Martin Luther please stand up?

After five hundred years of examining the life of the “father of the Reformation,” we must surely know all there is to know about Martin Luther. But is that true?

Did he really nail his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door?

Did he throw an inkpot at the devil?

Did he plant an apple tree?

Did his wife escape her convent in a herring barrel?

German radio and television journalist Andreas Malessa looks at the actual history of Luther and concludes that many of the tales we know best are nothing but nonsense.

Diving gleefully into the research, Malessa investigates many of the falsehoods and fallacies surrounding the reformer, rejecting them in favor of equally incredible facts. Full of humor and irony, this book educates and entertains while demonstrating a profound respect for Luther's life and mission.

If you're looking for the truth of the man behind the theses, come discover his faith and influence--with the myths stripped away.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2017

About the author

Andreas Malessa is a theologian, author, and lyricist, most recently for the musical Amazing Grace. He and his wife live near Stuttgart and have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Jaina Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

First, I want to describe my background going into The Unreformed Martin Luther: basically, I am not a Lutheran and I don't really worship the ground Luther once walked on. I do, however, think he was a very important historical figure and that his life warrants historical examination. I'd read a biography about him in the past and learned a little bit about him in AP European History, but I had never even heard most of the rumors being debunked in this book until, well, the book said them right before debunking them.

But you know what? The middle ages were a very interesting time period. And people back then were . . . well, not exactly living up to the Victorian standard. Even Martin Luther, this Catholic priest and religious leader, was bawdy at times. And he also, apparently, liked to write in detail to his friend(s) about his constipation. Because oversharing was definitely a thing back then.

Speaking over oversharing, did you know that newlyweds in the Middle Ages had to have witnesses on their wedding night to make sure they were really consummating the marriage? They would slip away once things really started to get going, but still. That is yet another reason I am glad I don't live in the Middle Ages (ranked fourth after 1. they didn't have glasses so I would have been blind as a bat and 2. women were stuck making bread and raising babies and 3. everybody died young).

But honestly, some of these chapters were really cool. My favorites were probably the one on constipation (because I just think it's hilarious we know so much about the bowel movements of some guy from 500 years ago!) and the one about the origin of the "Here I stand" quote. It turns out that when Luther said "Here I stand" he was actually saying "Look, I've already given my speech in two different languages today and it's really hot and I feel sick and I can't do it a third time. All I can do now is stand here." The actual end to his speech was good too, but I can't remember what it was. Obviously not as memorable as "here I stand," I guess.

Before I end I suppose I should also add that, in keeping with the slightly vulgar nature of discourse back then, a few of the Luther quotes are rather lewd. I pretty much just took that in stride, though, because the whole point of the book is to show us the "unedited" version of who Martin Luther really was.

Basically, The Unreformed Martin Luther is a really funny and infomative book about a major historical figure and his time period. Whether you agree with his beliefs or not, you can't help but get a hoot out of reading this unfiltered examination of the real man behind the myths.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great people of history often have myths added to their lives. Such was the case with Luther. Malessa looks at many familiar stories about Luther and tests their truth.

I appreciate the work Malessa has done. Luther was very prolific and his complete works totaled some 80,000 pages. With that much material, one could claim almost anything about Luther. Malessa has attempted to separate myth from fact, even though he admits he has not been able to do so completely. (9)

While this book is not a biography, it is very informative. Malessa really helped me understand the medieval situation and the beliefs of the time. That was good for putting Luther's sayings into the context of that era.

The section I appreciated the most was the one on indulgences. Malessa identified Luther's real concern on the issue and I realized I had had a wrong understanding of the situation. I also found out that Origen of Alexandria (third century) developed the idea of purgatory in the afterlife. I also found out how “Protestants” came about – not from Luther. And he probably didn't throw the inkwell at the devil. That's just a bit of what I learned from this book.

I recommend this book to those who want a better understanding of Luther and what he contributed (and did not contribute) to the Reformation. I really like Malessa's writing style. It is very personable and not at all scholastic. He's got a good sense of humor too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Note:  This book was provided free of charge by Kregel Book Tours.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

For a little book of barely more than 150 pages, this book is a complicated one.  The author is a debunker of myths, but recognizes the power of myth-making and the complexity of the man she is dealing with.  There is a great deal to laugh about, but also some deeply reflective and troubling elements to the book as well.  At some points the author shows herself to be deeply familiar with the life and writings of Martin Luther and interested in a scholarly portrayal, and at other times she deals with a great deal of the scatological elements of his writings as they are remembered and appropriated today.  As we approach the 500th anniversary of the accidental beginning of the Protestant Reformation, this book seeks to capitalize on a greater interest in Martin Luther, and it manages to be a good book, even for those whose knowledge of his life may be a bit slight [1].

This short book is divided into 25 short chapters, each of which deals with a single myth about Martin Luther.  Some of these myths are of large historical importance--including what Luther was upset about, his intentions, his personal background, his supposed alcoholism, what he was supposed to have said or written, and his supposed anti-Semitism.  On this last charge the author gives a sad confession, and in general the tone is an honest one, warts and all.  Other myths were completely unfamiliar to me and may seem a bit trivial, like his supposedly secret marriage, the fact that he had witnesses present during his relations with his wife on at least one occasion, his last words, his bathroom habits, and his planting of an apple tree.  The author keeps the work varied in tone and also manages to strike a powerful blow for historical accuracy and the need for us to recognize the difficulties we have of knowing what someone said or did exactly, even for someone under the sort of scrutiny that Luther was, where his words and behavior were continually subject to people seeking to print his words and discuss his supposed behavior for their own profit and their own agendas.

It is fairly easy to see what target audience this book is aiming at.  The author's writing is aimed at Lutherans who want to take a critical but respectful look at Luther the man and his influence in world history.  I happen not to be a Lutheran myself, although I have a great deal of respect for him for his principled stance against abuses and his desire to preserve order while also encouraging reform, despite the fact that I have rather critical views about his failure to properly align his beliefs with scripture and his acceptance of Augustine as a model for a great deal of his belief and practice.  Even so, the book itself has both a critical and respectful perspective that gives the reader insights while avoiding both an attitude of hagiography as well as the sort of corrosive criticism that tends to encourage chronological snobbery among those who falsely feel themselves free of the residual prejudices of the past.  There is a lot to learn from in this book, a lot to appreciate, and a lot to ponder over as we face our own corrupt culture and the desire to stand for God and to overcome the evils of our own times as well as the bent natures of our own dark hearts, to be as courageous as Luther was, if perhaps closer to God's ways than he was.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2012...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but a bit of a miss. From the start, I struggled to identify who this book was for. No one possessed of the myths the author seeks to correct should be directed here: the book is too focused on the myths themselves, while the reader would be much better served by a good biography--something that would give them a fuller account of the reformer's life and teaching. So this book, because of the narrow burrows it explores, would be much better for the reader already well acquainted with Luther, and thus less likely to be possessed of the myths, and thus less likely to profit from the book.

As for the style, the book is a little awkward. The tone is popular, but it doesn't perform at that level with ease. Connections between paragraphs, for instance, were often rather peculiar. It didn't always flow well.

Finally, several chapters were written to correct myths I had never heard; and I was left wondering, "who thinks *that*?"

But it was when I got the the chapter on the proverbs supposedly coined by Luther that I decided to look back into the front matter of the book more closely, and my suspicion was confirmed: the book was originally written in German, and had passed through the hands of both a translator and a stylist to reach its present form. Now it all made so much more sense!

Luther is so much bigger in the lore of Germany than ever here (in America), and so the possibility of legends among those fairly well acquainted with his story and importance would be more akin to what has happened here with George Washington (a parallel for which I thank my wife).

So I recommend this book as an interesting miscellany to any reader already well familiar with Luther--hopefully having read something more creditable than Metaxas. It will give you more curiosities than correctives, but I think you will find it enjoyable.

One downer. The chapter on Luther and the Jews--one that *isn't* a myth, though the understanding usually needs to be corrected, as this author does very well--is the final chapter in the book, and it ends abruptly there. It spoils the last mood of an otherwise more lighthearted and enjoyable book. To use the author's own closing word: "Unfortunately."

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and funny book that was easy to read and incredibly informative. Each chapter looks at a commonly held belief about Luther and whether or not it's true, with research to back it up. The chapters range from a few pages each to fifteen or so. I had never heard of some of these beliefs but it was still fascinating to learn about what was happening at the time in politics, religion, society and culture and how Luther affected it or was affected by it. I learned more about the Catholic faith, then and now, as Malessa explained the history of indulgences and what they were really supposed to be for. I had read about them before but don't remember them explained quite the way he did. It also still amazes me that it was so important to not marry as a priest or nun back then but it was common practice for monks, priests and nobles to have mistresses. Luther also talked about other horrible sins that were committed because of this practice and it seems like we can still see the issues today with all of the child abuse in the Catholic church. It was also fascinating to me the whole discussion about infant baptism versus believers' baptism and what was going on with the different reformers who were trying to change this practice. A lot of them died horrible deaths.

An especially hard chapter to read was about Luther's anti-Semitism, though Malessa points out it's more accurate to say his anti-Judaism as it wasn't the Jewish race or culture he opposed but rather their religion and theology. He blamed them for Jesus' death on the cross. He even wrote a treatise called "On the Jews and Their Lies," where he says their synagogues should be burned and houses destroyed, etc. Twenty years before, he had the opposite view. I found it especially sad that Hitler used that treatise during his Nazi campaign. Many people viewed Jews the same way Luther did during his time but that doesn't make it right. Malessa points out that the Holocaust does not have its roots in Lutheranism or in Catholicism, as apparently Hitler, some of the leaders and three fourths of the concentration camp commanders were Catholic. That attitude is not biblical and Evangelical Church in Germany denounced Luther's anti-Judaism in an official statement.

I would highly recommend this book if you like Martin Luther, church history or just learning more about history, period.

I received this book free from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The TV show Mythbusters was a phenomenal hit for its entire run the simple fact that it lived up to its name, debunking myths or proving them true is something that our culture desires. It is therefore our desire to seek truth in a world of fake news.
The Unreformed Martin Luther: A Serious (and Not So Serious) Look at the Man Behind the Myths by Andres Malessa takes this cultural desire to “bust myths” and focuses it on the most well-known Protestant reformer. Malessa aims to prove or debunk 25 of the most interesting, perplexing, and provocative myths that circulate around this polarizing man. Well some of these myths are easy to prove or disprove others explain parts of medieval culture which would be completely foreign to most people. While there is a definite black of footnoting in this work due to its popular nature, the sources which are quoted are either from Luther himself or well-known Luther Scholars.
This book is by no means an academic treatment on Luther rather a fun and easy read exploring medieval culture and legends surrounding a man who is larger than life. Well I do not agree with the tone that is taken in a few sections of a book I did thoroughly enjoy it. If you were looking for either a biography or celery treatment of Luther himself or his theological leanings I would search elsewhere but if you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and question your knowledge of medieval culture this book is for you. Furthermore this book comes an opportune time to celebrate this is historic Reformation. For this year is the 500th anniversary of Luther creating and dispersing the ninety-five theses of which created the spark which lit the flame of the Reformation.
This book was provided to me free of charge from Kregel Press in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

The Unreformed Martin Luther: A Serious (and Not So Serious) Look at the Man Behind the Myths

© 2017 by Andres Malessa

Publisher: Kregel Press

Page Count: 176 Pages

ISBN: 9780825444562

[Annie Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Unreformed Martin Luther, German journalist and theologian Andreas Malessa took an unusual approach. He collected popular stories and sayings about Luther and evaluated each of them using Luther’s own copious writings as well as contemporary records and later discussions, some scholarly.

This book contains a few startling revelations. For example, Luther sent out three copies of the Ninety-Five Theses but most likely did not actually nail them to the cathedral door. Besides that surprising suggestion, Malessa also clarifies Luther’s doctrine and defends his lifestyle—and, no, Luther was not a drunk.

Malessa excels in putting Luther’s life into its historical context, and as such The Unreformed Martin Luther contains several illuminating accounts of customs, practices, and assumptions of the day that help us understand both Luther and the Reformation better.
...
If you only have time to read one book about Luther, I would not recommend this one, either for your homeschool or for pleasure....However, if you already know about this great man, The Unreformed Martin Luther will provide a completely different approach and will give you some new ideas to consider.

You can read my entire review here: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co...

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Kregel Books and have given my honest opinions. I am not compensated for them.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unreformed Martin Luther by Andreas Malessa provides a look at Luther that helps separate the man from many of the myths that have come to surround him.

Andreas in this works addresses a wide range of things attributed to Luther, some of which even I was unfamiliar with. In twenty-five chapters this book helps readers gain a more historically accurate picture of Luther. It is easy to think of Luther as some fire-brand revolutionary but as seen in this book the actual story of Luther is different. Luther's intention was to actually see reformation in the Catholic church.

I think works like this in church history are invaluable for modern-day readers. Many times we can make figures from the past into larger than life figures blurring the line between historical fact and fiction. Some of the myths that are addressed and dispelled such as the story of Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door might upset some readers, but in matters of history we must go where the evidence leads rather than holding to myths that cannot be substantiated.

In light of the coming celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation I would commend this book to anyone seeking to better understand the man who played such a pivotal role in the history of the Christian church.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

[Starla Gooch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun and quirky book provides an enjoyable reading experience for those curious about church history. In The Unreformed Martin Luther: A Serious (and Not So Serious) Look at the Man Behind the Myths, Andreas Malessa impressively includes innumerable primary sources to engage 25 myths about Luther. Malessa peruses a wide variety of myths–from the goofy to the somber–like whether or not Luther was truly a boozer, ate while he preached, and sought to establish an independent church. This piece of work met exactly the niche I was hoping it would. I appreciated both Malessa’s strong scholarship as well as his playful and carefree approach.

I recommend The Unreformed Martin Luther for those who enjoy random trivia. I’m not sure how engaging this work would be for more knowledgeable Luther readers, but as a novice in history on Luther, I have quite enjoyed it. It’s also been fun to be able to bring up random stories in conversation with friends.

*A special thank you to Kregel Publications for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

`The Unreformed Martin Luther` is a historical book on myths about Martin Luther by author Andreas Malessa.

This has been an interesting season for me as I examine and get to know more about Martin Luther. I have heard much about him and was curious to find out how much of it is true and how much is myth. Seems to me you either like him, or you don't. I believe readers should give this book a try and decide for themselves what is true and what is myth.

Throughout the book there are plentiful footnotes to back up Andreas' claims. There is also a map of Central Europe in the time frame of the Reformation. I found this book to be very thoughtfully written.

Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read look at the myths that have developed about Luther in the 500 years since the Reformation began. I enjoyed the read and learning more about him - until the final chapter when the fact that he was anti-Semetic came up. The author clarifies this, saying that Luther did not hate Jewish people based on race or culture, but from a religious and theological standpoint. Either way, it is disheartening to discover something like, especially when unprepared for it.

[Emelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was a really interesting read, for someone who's only grown up knowing about the 95 theses of Martin Luther. I found the first couple pages really difficult to get through- a lot of names to dispute a myth, sometimes the timelines were hard to follow, but overall I read this in an afternoon and found it a fun read. Might give this another crack once I've read a Luther biography and some of his readings.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was something that I found informative and enjoyable. It was very easy to read and really helps to clarity myths about Martin Luther King, founder of the Reformation. Anyone who wants to know more about him and his life should consider getting this book to give them a start at learning more.


*won as a GoodReads Giveaway*

[Jeremy Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

good relaxing book originally written in German with both serious and not so serious topics.
I read it less as scholarly work (though it's footnoted to German works) and more of a book to indulge myself. for that it served it's purpose.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a Lutheran, Martin Luther is an interest. The book isn't all-encompassiong, but doesn't intend to be. It highlights some of the most prolific myths and non-myths about the man. Well researched, interesting, a good read.