Luther: Man Between God and the Devil

by Heiko A. Oberman, Eileen Walliser-Schwarzbart (Translation)

Written by one of the world's greatest authorities on Martin Luther, this is the definitive biography of the central figure of the Protestant Reformation.
“A brilliant account of Luther’s evolution as a man, a thinker, and a Christian ... Every person interested in Christianity should put this on his or her reading list.”—Lawrence Cunningham, Commonweal
“This is the biography of Luther for our time by the world’s foremost authority.”—Steven Ozment, Harvard University
“If the world is to gain from Luther it must turn to the real Luther—furious, violent, foul-mouthed, passionately concerned. Him it will find in Oberman’s book, a labour of love.”—G. R. Elton, Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Genres: Biography, History, Religion, Theology, Church History, Nonfiction, Christianity

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Heiko Augustinus Oberman was a Dutch historian and theologian who specialized in the study of the Reformation. After earning his doctorate in theology from the University of Utrecht in 1957, he taught at the Harvard Divinity School from 1958 until 1966 and then at the University of Tübingen, Germany from 1966 until 1988, when he became Regents Professor of History at the University of Arizona, Tucson.

Reviews

[AJW · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read about a dozen biographies on the German reformer, Martin Luther, and this is one of the best ones.

Having said this, I would not recommend it as a first biography to read on Martin Luther as Heiko Oberman is not a neutral writer. The best biography IMO is Brecht's 3 volume monument, and Brecht lets Luther and his contemporaries speak for themselves with copious quotes from primary sources. However, it is Oberman's opinions and judgements than made me particularly enjoy this biography. I would recommend this as a second or third biography on Luther to read.

Oberman knows his stuff and I appreciated him sifting through the endless material there is on Luther to give expert qualified judgement calls on Luther's life & work. Oberman works hard at getting you to see Luther in the context of his times instead of looking at Luther with modern post-enlightenment mindset. This is the particular strength of this biography. And too many Luther biographies only look at the Reformation from a theological viewpoint, missing out the massive political, social and economic changes that were happening in the 15th & 16th centuries. Heiko Oberman gives the best overview and contextual understanding of this era that I have read in a Luther biography.

Like nearly all Luther biographies, the bulk of the book focuses on pivotal years of Luther making his theological breakthroughs as a monk, then as a professor of theology at Wittenburg, followed by his clashes with the Rome power base and papal advocates. The chapters are thematic rather than chronological (another reason to read Brecht first), though a timeline is provided at the back.

It was a joy to read this biography, after reading so many over the last decade, and still gain so many new insights. Warmly recommended.

[Joel Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be read with careful attention. It is not ordered strictly chronologically. Rather, it is structured around certain strands of the story Oberman wishes to emphasize. The main events of Luther's life have several layers, and by treating individually, Oberman can give a greater sense of the complexity of the whole. The result is a deeper take on a familiar figure.

If you look at the table of contents you will see three parts. The first explains the events in which Luther figured as German, Medieval and elemental. For example, the reformation as a German event is a look at the politics of the situation. The reformation as a Medieval event is a look at the continuities with the past--that from which this new thing arose. In the second section Oberman goes into Luther's influences more, and shows how his thought changed over time. The third section deals with the problems facing Luther once the break was made and there was no return. He still deals with individual issues diachronically, such as Luther and marriage, a most interesting chapter. And in the end he evaluates the reformer.

It is hard to think how any biography of Luther can be more readable (a good English translation), more intelligently ordered to provide the facts a maximum of meaning, or, curiously enough, better illustrated. Rather than include a section of glossy paintings and woodcuts in the center of the book, the illustrations are lavishly scattered at the point of the text with which they have to do. It dampens the effect of some of the paintings, but since most of the illustrations are woodcuts and frontispieces, it works.

[پویان مُکاری · Rating 4 out of 5]

بیشتر از هر چیز، ترجمه‌ی خوب رادمهر در این کتاب نظرم رو جلب کرد. اشراف خوب فریدالدین رادمهر روی موضوع به کیفیت ترجمه کمک زیادی کرده است.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a bit different than I expected, especially since this biography was highly recommended, and Oberman is a Reformation titan-scholar. I was mentally comparing it to Roland Bainton’s “Here I Stand” and the two biographies are quite different. I think that Bainton’s was much more linear and clear in its presentation of the facts and development leading up to the Reformation. Both biographies are excellently written, though Bainton’s a bit more so. Oberman is not hesitant to get into the weeds of the medieval milieu that formed much of Luther’s thought, which was very interesting. His thesis that-understanding Luther’s battle with the Devil is key to understanding Luther-was really illuminating and strangely encouraging. Similar to Lewis’ principle of letting the fresh breeze of old books blow across one’s mind, reading about how Luther thought that nearly every action of his was in battle against the Devil made me think of the huge gap between myself and Luther, and the inevitable influence of materialism/naturalism.
One hilarious quote (in referencing Luther’s marriage): “‘Defiance of the Devil’ is probably the worst reason for marriage ever recorded in the history of the long institution.” (280)

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for uni and do have an interest in Luther. Whilst it was interesting, Oberman jumped around in his life instead of going through each event chronologically. I did and don't like this as I already know about the main points in his life, it was nice to learn more in depth about his marriage and background. However jumping to different points did confuse me slightly. I wouldn't have picked this up out of choice but for a uni book it was certainly readable without any pain.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Sets the context—particularly the late Medieval background—for understanding Luther and his theology. In addition to being a help in interpreting Luther, it is also brilliantly written.

[Justin Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book - especially helpful in grasping the background to the Reformation. Oberman includes details and information that might be lacking in other basic biographies.

I wouldn't recommend this as an introductory work on Luther. The way the material is organized is only loosely chronological. It would be quite difficult to follow for anyone with little prior knowledge of Luther, but it's a fairly solid follow up to any of the other basic introductions to Luther.

Final note: It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows much about Luther, but there is occasional coarse language in some quotations of Luther. It is less than what many people here in an average day and no doubt a fairly mild representation of Luther's own use of language, but it's something to be aware of.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating man Luther was. Courageous, faithful, and strange. Great book!

[Michael Gartland]

Highly recommended!

[Aaron Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indispensable. For anyone interested in learning more about this epochal saint, Oberman provides depth, background, and context to his oft-summarized life. Where Bainton's "Here I Stand" tell's Luther's story with a flat, linear chronology and thus allows us to make him a man for our time, Oberman shows him to be very much a man of his own time and place, subject to forces wholly alien to the modern Christian. Not that his spiritual struggles were of a different kind, but that they were set in the midst of a world with which we are so unfamiliar. Though the author probably assumes too much modern psychoanalysis of his subject, this book is more about how Luther saw God, himself, and the world around him than about his actual place in it; Oberman assumes the reader knows the basic contours of Luther's story and shows how they came to be what they were. Thus, Luther is not the fire-breathing reformer standing alone against the world, though his courage is not in doubt; rather he is the product of many influences, driven inexorably by his own conscience to stand with God against the works and minions of Satan as he saw them.

This is no hagiography. Luther's warts and wrinkles are laid bare as he saw them and as history has recognized them. But in Oberman's telling, that only makes it far more amazing that God should use him as He did. Readers of Bainton will have in hand a 2D map of the path Luther's life followed; readers of Oberman will get a glimpse of the countryside, the contents of his pack, the sweat upon his brow, and the influence of his fellow travelers.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A translation from the German original that reads quite well in English. This is an in depth biography of the man who launched Protestantism based on his 95 Theses or Protests. His mission to set Christianity free from the orthodoxy of the Roman Church has suceeded byond his wildest expectations as there are, at last count, over 30,000 Protestant denominations in the United States alone. The book reveals little new material regarding Luther's life other than the joy he found in sex late in life. But Luther is such a seminal character in the course of the history of the Christian world that knowledge of his life is useful in understanding later events. A man of monumental intellect it would be an interesting to speculate on what he would make of today's religious conflicts and controversies.

[Ed Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that I found Luther a bit tiresome as an individual, although a man of admirable courage.
The author's thesis is that Luther's viewpoint was fundamentally medieval and that he saw the Devil as a profound and direct presence in the world.
I think that this foreign viewpoint (as well as his considerable anti-Semitism and virulent anger) were the main reasons that I was turned off by him.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot praise this book highly enough. Oberman knows Luther through and through and presents a marvelous biography of the Reformer. One of my theology professors often said with a twinkle in his eye - "beg, borrow or steal my books." Well by all means beg, borrow or buy this book. You will not be disappointed. Baiton's "Here I Stand" was great, this is excellent.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luther is such a fascinating character- an almost prophetic like passion for his focus on salvation by grace alone as he read Paul. This book explores Luther's very real belief in the efficacy of the Devil as a part of his passion.

[Scott Beaudin · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Luther' reads like a history textbook, but includes interesting passages about the lies of the Catholic Church, such as the Donation of Constantine. I wouldn't recommend this to a casual reader, only to those who are specifically interested in academic study of the Reformation figure.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

[James Horgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oberman dedicated his book to Roland Bainton, and that should serve as a clue. If you have not already done so you should go and read Bainton's seminal Here I Stand to understand the basic biography of Luther's life and why it was that returning to a Biblical understanding of justification by faith changes everything: everything you believe and everything about the life you live. Bainton's book certainly had that effect on me as a new Christian in 1990.

Oberman is telling you that his work is not for the novice. It assumes you know the basic outline of Luther's life and theology. If you do, it pays rich rewards. Written by a Dutchman, originally in German, the translation was extensively worked on by Oberman himself. Oberman was, it appears, an ordained minister in the mainline Dutch Reformed Church.

His essential thesis is Luther thought of life more overtly as a conflict with Satan than we do and understanding this will help us contextualise the urgency and vehemency with which Luther went about his task. Luther moves from seeing Satan active in the Roman church, so reform is sought within it, to seeing Satan controlling the unreformable Roman church so that it should be opposed root and branch, called out for the apostate body that it is.

Opposition to Satan drove even the desire for marriage. Satan has a field day with the unnecessary attempt at celibacy via monastic vows and the concomitant denigration of married life as less spiritual. Marrying therefore becomes a duty to spite Satan's attempts to divert people from serving God in marriage and finding their salvation in Christ.

And so Satan's malevolent designs are turned around in the gospel. How do you talk to the Devil when he wants to have a conversation with you? He wants to persuade you that you have committed terrible sins. Don't deny it. If you had not sinned Christ would not have died taking your sins from you.

Satan was raging and had brought the professing church to the depths of idolatrous ruin because the return of Christ was imminent. Luther was thus sure his task was urgent. With time so short why shrink from boldly proclaiming the truth and opposing falsehood. The worst that could happen was martyrdom but why worry if that occurs since Christ would be raising you from the dead in a few years.

Oberman has an interesting perspective on Luther's later works against the Jews. As harsh as these are in our eyes, at the time they were milder than most writing on the Jews which simply called for their extermination. Luther never went so far as this, though he did advocate stripping Jews of what little civil rights they had until they had learned honest Christian behaviour.

One topic where Oberman, perhaps predictably, goes awry is scripture. He tries to put Luther on one side and Erasmus, Bernard of Clairvaux and Calvin on the other. Scripture for the former shows man's dependence on God against Satan, and for the latter is a program for society. That is a dichotomy Calvin, I am sure, knew not, however much later Lutheran theology soft-pedalled Scriptural godliness for rulers; and to be fair to Luther he did not make that mistake either, clearly telling the German nobility how they ought to rule to please God.

The prose in the book is constantly thought-provoking, regularly needing time to ponder the implications of Luther's teaching. 'The Christian walks a 'straight and narrow way'. This is not a reference to the "straight gate" and "narrow way of those monks and puritans who forego the joys of life on the "broad way" so as to maintain clear consciences. No, it is a difficult, a painful path because it leads to the nearly mystical experience of being torn out of one's conscience, the conscience that seeks peace in its own holiness. Centuries of Western formation of conscience must be overcome if saying yes to God means saying no to one's own conscience."

The misunderstanding of puritans aside, he means legalists, this is a brilliant description of how we find our conscience satisfied outside of us in Christ, and not in our own mucky attempts at purity.

So, if you enjoy Luther, take up and read and benefit from seeing the urgency of the Christian task so that God may triumph over Satan in all you do.

[Socraticgadfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I missed this when it came out, I don’t know. It’s a shame to it that my conservative Lutheran college didn’t discuss this in any religion classes I took there. Given that it was still just six years old when I entered my conservative Lutheran seminary, it’s even more a discredit to Concordia Seminary to not have this book discussed in any classes there.

I know that Oberman was likely Dutch Reformed, not Lutheran, but, he clearly takes Luther at face value, including his man being like a mule ridden by either god or devil, and takes seriously what Luther intended by that.

And, he’s got the theological chops to know Luther’s history.

Even without him making connections, I now see that his reading Hutton’s edition of Valla exposing the Donation of Constantine as a forgery may well have upped not “just” Luther’s general antipathy to the papacy, but his seeing it as Antichrist. In turn, that meant to him that the end times were here.

I need to digress there for a moment. The “antichrist,” or actually “antichrists” of I John are not the same as I Thessalonians’ “man of lawlessness,” but the term has become ascribed to that being. Rather, writing at least 40 years after Paul, and maybe 60, the author of I John seems to be referring to a king-sized “alligator” in a church or something like that, not a quasi-metaphysical entity. Digression done.

At the same time, Oberman’s book falls short in some ways.

Here’s one. If Luther wasn’t nearly as literalistic about “sola Scriptura” as the Scofield reference bible, then on what grounds was he right and the Schwärmerei wrong? On what basis were the Reformed wrong (and Karlstadt) and him right on the Eucharist, since Karlstadt had proven him wrong on the “this is” per Greek grammar?

None other than Luther being a cantankerous stubborn mule.

For that matter, since Master Melanchthon was the professor of Greek at Wittenberg, why didn’t HE challenge Luther like Karlstasdt did? (Roper could have done some psychoanalysis with THAT in her book.)

Also, Oberman reports Luther myth as fact even as religious historians and theological scholars were challenging it by the time he wrote this book. I talk specifically of the nailing of the 95 Theses and the “here I stand” at Worms as fact, when almost certainly neither are.

Does it matter? In the second case, it’s more something of pietistic hagiography. But, Oberman cuts through that on other things.

On the Theses? Yes it matters. Goes to motive, or similar. If they were never nailed to a door, how did they become public so quickly, and what hand did Luther have in that?

Otherwise, the book is spot on about aspects of Luther’s life Oberman covers. He is indeed an existentialist, but not Kierkegaard, let alone Sartre. He does have one foot in the medieval world and literalistic beliefs not even Kierkegaard did.

BUT … per the above, Oberman covers very little about Luther’s interactions with others. Much less than Roper on Karlstadt or the Reformed. Nothing on the Peasants Revolts or Muntzer et al.

So, five stars for what he covers. Three stars for what he doesn’t and for repeating Luther legend. We’re at a disappointing four stars.

[Sooho Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Luther: Who was this man?

He was, by all accounts, one of the most influential figures of Christian history -- perhaps of world history. He is attributed to be the pioneer of the Protestant Reformation -- something he failed to see the fruition of. Even at his deathbed, Luther was on trial: Will he stand by what he wrote and taught since 1517? “Yes,” Luther replied. He was just as clear as he was bold at the end of Diet of Worms: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, for going against my conscience is neither safe nor salutary. I can do no other, here I stand, God help me. Amen.” These are words thick with revolutionary power, but a revolution was the last thing Luther wanted. Instead, Luther wanted true repentance and reconciliation through reformation within the Catholic Church -- not excommunication from them. Indeed, he was caught between the Pope, the Crown, and the Intellectual elites. Or, from Luther’s perspective, he was caught between God and the devil.

One of Luther's core convictions is that everyone is a beggar before God. All that we are and hope to be depend on God, and on our own, we are nothing. But God is lavishly generous. We might be beggars before God, but God is most certainly gracious towards us.

Calling the pope, or anyone, the Anti-Christ or Devil’s bastard is not proper etiquette. Luther’s language was vulgar and virulent. When he attacked, he attacked fiercely, sometimes too far and too wrong, especially his anti-semitic rhetoric towards the end of his life. His volatile language and behavior have had some scholars diagnosis Luther with psychosis and schizophrenia. And Oberman goes to great length to undo this caricature. Luther was not psychotic, but he was certainly expressive and zealous. Luther’s colorful German, however, was also a gift: he painstakingly translated the inaccessible Latin Bible — the Vulgate — into vernacular German.

Luther was astoundingly prolific. Luther’s Works is a massive 55-volume set, with the index being 462 pages long! Approaching this towering figure can be — should be — intimidating. But thank God for Heiko A. Oberman and translator Eileen Walliser-Schwarzbart. The translation is just fantastic: not only was this biography accessible but also captivating. Oberman’s biography of Luther is superb, though I wish for more of Luther’s theological development.

cf. www.sooholee.com

[Stan Lanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one goes into the ocean, one experiences a vast body of water as opposed to an even more vast collection of individual droplets. On this second reading of Oberman's biography of Martin Luther, I was, at first, dumbfounded to formulate a conceptual framework to mediate my experience of reading this book. I was overwhelmed by all the "droplets" comprising what must have been Professor Oberman's knowledge of Martin Luther and his life and times. Only when I turned to one of the goals of hermeneutics, to render what a text could have meant for its own time and contemporaries, could I begin to swim in the "vast body of water" that is the knowledge Professor Oberman had of Luther. Oberman presents as the key to understanding Luther the concept of a life lived between the theological entities God and Devil. Oberman places Luther in his time and interprets his life, personality, and historical actions by way of the tension of living between the framework of God and the Devil.

Is there another scholar, accessible in English, who knew as much about the life and times of Martin Luther? For those who suffer from the lack of primary language source material, any serious encounter or accounting of Luther, in my estimation, must read Oberman's book. If Oberman presents, and masterfully so, an appraisal of Luther in his context, another recent book, Luther Renegade and Prophet by Lyndal Roper (a student of Oberman) could be said to provide a sense of what Luther might mean for us today. Roper's account does not seem as fluid in knowledge of Reformation theology (and she acknowledges the mastery of Oberman), she, nonetheless, presents an astoundingly vivid portrait of Luther as a person by which we today can lay hold of his personality, and, in this way, we can gain an aspect of what Luther might mean for us today, fulfilling the second task of hermeneutics. While Oberman's book may take a little more work for the adventurous lay person, reading these two volumes will provide an admirably adequate, non-specialist's account of this man and historically important figure.

[Kevin Godinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Health is God's domain; death the Devil's intent." Luther would often gain strength in battle by specifically focusing on defying the Devil and refusing to allow him any victories. This is often where Luther gained strength in order to continue fighting his constant physical ailments, as well as was able to enjoy the beautiful things in life, such as a rose. By persevering through physical pain and stopping to admire God's creation, Luther was spitting in the Devil's face.

A few quotes from the book..

"God is so far above us that we can never grasp more than a part of His truth; for the truly pious, that is enough."

"... justification by faith alone (sola fide), the preaching of God's word alone (sola scriptura), and Trust in God's grace alone (sola gratia)."

"The thrilled expectation of discovering God's Word in the Scriptures could become reality only through the interpreter's inner dedication in prayer and meditation combined with intensive scholarly work on the text."

"Whoever wants to read the Bible must make sure he is not wrong, for the Scriptures can easily be stretched and guided, but no one should guide them according to his emotions; he should lead them to the well, that is to the cross of Christ, then he will certainly be right and cannot fail."

[J. Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really strong scholarly biography of Luther; if it has a weakness, it is that it is not a good starting place-- it responds to so many streams of conversation that it can be hard to keep the basic outline of the story in mind. But if one has some familiarity with Luther already-- and who doesn't-- this is a great resource to add to and temper your knowledge. Oberman's main point is that we've wanted to 'claim' Luther to such an extent that we don't recognize him and the otherworldly, 'Medieval' strangeness of what he's doing; the most obvious place where we fail to engage him on his own terms is his familiarity with the Devil as an ever-present malevolent reality in life. (And this is somewhat obvious when you think about it. Observe "A Mighty Fortress is Our God": there's almost more in there about Satan than about God or the believer.)
Read it! Enjoy! And maybe you'll conclude that the guy knew even better than we give him credit for:
"Church communion means 'that no believer ever lives alone or dies alone, but is protected and borne by the communion of saints.'"

[Jonah Kunisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just coincidence that I finished this book on the 500th anniversary of Luther's posting of the 95 Theses...
Best (modern) book I've ever read, hands down. I picked up this book looking for a fair assessment of Luther as a man, and the subtitle "Man between God and the Devil" gave me hope for such an assessment. And it didn't disappoint, though I'm surprised at how much admiration for Luther was evoked in me through the reading of the book.
I believe Oberman is still overly-praising and under-critical of Luther at times, but makes up for it with brutal honesty about Luther's biggest shortcomings (an approval of bigamy he failed to denounce though, glaringly).
Almost every page caused me to pause, think, write down a quote, look up a word...truly intriguing writing. Masterful, genius even. I'd recommend this book to anyone, but I warn you: it's completion and understanding is a chore, and after all "we are beggars--that is true!"

[Elle]

This book definitely focuses more on Luther's thought processes and how they inspired his views on religion rather than his life. Interesting stuff, just...not what I expected when I went into the book. I think for that reason, I didn't care for how it was arranged. I really do prefer a more chronological look at things and there were many times when the author repeated the same bit of information in a different situation so that felt a little disorienting to me. Maybe it was just due to the translation, maybe it's just the way that Germans choose to study history, but I feel like the subjects didn't flow together from one to the next as well as they could have. Overall, not the worst biography that I've ever read. On the contrary, I did get some great insight into why Luther believed the things that he did, but I think I would have preferred the information in a different form or writing style.

[Wilhelm Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was written around that other great Luther anniversary in our life (1983), this is still very much worth getting into. Mark Loest recommended it some months back and now going to Wittenberg gave me the opportunity to read it myself. I like his style and way of putting things into context, even if I'd give recent biographies of Thomas Kaufmann or Heinz Schilling first choice. They're not just more up to date, but really do address some of the though issues like Luther's dark side somewhat more clearly and effectively. So, when thinking, which of the copies to give my son Matt in Austria, I went for Kaufmann's "Spiegel Bestseller" and not this "alten Schicken". Still, if you can get this copy in some Antiquariat go for it . You might like it as much as I did. Remember, it is translated into English too.

[Emad · Rating 4 out of 5]

زمانی که مارتین لوتر در برابر قدرت‌های حاکم ایستادگی کرد، جنبشی را به راه انداخت که ساختارهای اجتماعی، سیاسی، فکری و مذهبی غرب را برای همیشه متحول ساخت. اما اهداف واقعی او چه بود و چه پیامدی داشت؟ هایکو اوبرمن در این کتاب خواندنی به این پرسش‌ها پاسخ می‌دهد. اوبرمن با ارائه تصویری زنده از مردی که همواره یا به‌عنوان قدیس مورد ستایش قرار گرفته یا به‌عنوان شیطان محکوم شده، نشان می‌دهد که چگونه لوتر با شخصیت پرشور، شجاع و سرسخت خود، هم وفاداری شدید تحسین‌کنندگانش را برانگیخت و هم تضادهای خشونت‌آمیز در میان مخالفانش را به وجود آورد.

[Tyson Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography. Oberman writes beautiful English—shaming most native English speakers. His choice of perspective (Luther’s Last Days understanding of the Martyr Church under the constant persecution of Satan and protection of God) gives vivid color to the portrait of a Medieval Luther. This portrait offers a more helpful starting point than the anachronistic or triumphalistic “Modern,” “Evangelical,” or “German Nationalist” Luthers.

[Willem Maarten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uitstekende biografie die tot de Rijksdag van Worms ongeveer chronologisch bespreekt, maar daarna (deel 3 van het boek) thematisch, en met insluiting van de vraag wat de betekenis is in onze context. Dat is ook het beste deel van het boek. Contra recentere biografiën leest Oberman Luthers motieven niet primair psychologisch of politiek, maar theologisch; hetgeen Luther ook verdient.

[Harriet H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

To really appreciate this book, I think you have to be very familiar with Martin Luther. It is hard to follow. It is more of a revision of various aspects of his life, than a straight chronological biography.

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a rewarding read. It is challenging if you're not versed in medieval theology and philosophy, but you can figure it out as you go. This is the gold standard for moderately secular biographies on Luther.