Martin Luther Confessor of the Faith

Martin Luther's theology presented a paradigmatic shift in defining God and humanity, refuting the foundations of Aristotelian anthropology with a new emphasis on the Revealed God and his unconditioned grace. Robert Kolb traces the development of Luther's thinking within the context of late medieval theology and piety at the dawn of the modern era.

Martin Luther's thought continues to challenge people throughout the world in the twenty-first century. His paradigmatic shift in defining God and what it means to be human left behind a foundation for viewing human creatures that was anchored in Aristotle's anthropology. Luther defined the Revealed God in terms of his mercy and love for human beings, based not on their merit and performance but rather on his unconditioned grace. He placed 'fearing, loving, and trusting God above all else' at the heart of his definition of being human. This volume places the development and exposition of these key presuppositions in Luther's thinking within the historical context of late medieval theology and piety as well as the unfolding dynamics of political and social change at the dawn of the modern era. Special attention is given the development of a 'Wittenberg way' of practicing theology under Luther's leadership. It left behind a dependence on allegorical methods of biblical interpretation for a 'literal-prophetic' approach to Scripture. More importantly, it placed the distinction between the 'gospel' as God's unmerited gift of identity as his children and the 'law', the expression of God's expectations for the performance of his children in good works, at the heart of all interpretation of the Bible. This presuppositional framework for practicing theology reflects Luther's personal experience and his deep commitment to pastoral care of common Christians as well as his reading of the biblical text. It is supported by his distinction of two kinds of human righteousness (passive in God's sight, active in relationship to others), his distinction of two realms or dimensions of human life, and his theology of the cross. The volume unfolds Luther's maturing thought on the basis of this method.

1 - 'Angel of the Lord' or 'Damned Heretic': Martin Luther in the Trends of the Times
2 - on His Way: Luther's Life to 1519
3 - The Formation of the Theologian: The Medieval Roots of Luther's Thought
4 - In Via Wittenbergensis: Luther Develops His Hermeneutic
5 - The Emergence of the Reformer: Luther's Decisive Turn to Reform
6 - Fast Bound in Satan's Chains I Lay: Luther's View of the Fallen Human Creature
7 - Christ Jesus Holds the Field Victorious: Luther's Understanding of the Person of Christ, the Atonement, and Justification
8 - One Little Word Can Slay Him: God's Power and Presence in the Oral, Written, and Sacramental Forms of His Word
9 - Lambs Listening to their Shepherd: Christ's Church and its Struggles
10 - Faith Active in Love: Christian Living on the Foundation of Virtue and Vocation

Robert Kolb (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1973) served as director of the Center for Reformation Research, Saint Louis USA (1972-1977) and subsequently taught at Concordia College, Saint Paul (1977-1993) and Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis (1993-present). He served as Associate Editor and Co-editor of The Sixteenth Century Journal (1973-1997). Since 1993 he is a member of the Continuation Committee of the International Congress on Luther Research. He is the author of fifteen books and nearly one hundred articles, for the most part on Reformation history.