Ten Things You Should Know about the Theology of Martin Luther
Who was Martin Luther, and why was he important for the Reformation? This article answers this question by naming ten things you should know about his theology.
Luther's Understanding of the Righteousness of God
What Luther Says: The Means of Grace
Luther and Erasmus on Reforming the Church
Martin Luther
A Brief History of Martin Luther
Three Reformers Used by God
Assurance of Election
Luther’s Conversion and Theses
Luther and Calvin on the Deaconry
The Morning Star of Wittenberg: A Tribute to Katharina Luther
The Great Value of Scriptural Instruction for the Church
A Fresh Look at Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress"
This article looks at Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress" and suggests ways in which the English text could be clarified.
Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask about the Reformerrs
This article addresses several questions about the Reformers, such as how they viewed each other, did John Calvin and Martin Luther ever meet in person, and Luther's apparent anti-Semitism.
Luther's Timely Discovery of a Merciful God
This article recounts the theological discovery of Martin Luther that God is indeed merciful.
Luther's Battle for Sola Scriptura
This article explains that a central tenet of the Reformation was the doctrine of sola Scriptura. This, for Martin Luther, fueled the Reformation.
Abandon the Reformation, Abandon the Gospel
This article considers the circumstances leading to the Reformation, particularly in the life of Martin Luther, and what he helped the church to rediscover. From there, it explains that the Reformation is ongoing, into today.
Martin Luther: The "Father" of the Reformation
The Institution of Eldership and Its Task
A Frustrated Pastor Martin Luther in 1516 and the coming Reformation
A Lightning Strike, Which Changed History The Lord and Luther
At the Crossroads in History: Reforming of Deforming?
Luther's Personal Reformation
This article traces the development of Martin Luther from Catholicism to Protestantism, from works righteousness to the discovery of justification by grace through faith in Christ.
The Monk Who Was Not Good Enough
This article reveals the journey of understanding that Martin Luther went on, from trying to please God on his own to discovering justification by faith through grace in Christ alone.
The Spiritual Angst of Martin Luther
This article explains how Martin Luther suffered a lot from the fear of death, hell, and God's wrath. He was liberated from this fear when his eyes were opened to the truth of salvation in Christ.
The Significance of Luther for Today
This article indicates how modern Luther research emphasized the real significance for Martin Luther for today. He was a gifted teacher that brought the great central truth of the Christian faith back to the life of the church. This article considers what Luther had to say about doctrine, the Bible, and church.
Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses
What led Martin Luther to write the Ninety-Five Theses? This article looks at their history and explains their content and relevance for today.
Martin Luther and the concept of a "true" church
What constitutes a true church? This article reflects on the thinking of Martin Luther on the church, for he was so intense in the way he wrestled to find a biblical answer to his questions about the church.
Spirit and Spirituality in Luther
The Holy Spirit and spirituality are two key aspects frequently noted in theological discussions. Wood finds it profitable to reconsider the approach of Martin Luther to these two themes in theology. He indicates the importance of the Holy Spirit in Luther's theology and the role of the Spirit in Luther's piety and experience of faith.
The Day Martin Luther Was Excommunicated
This article recounts the events leading up to the excommunication of Martin Luther.
Ten Things You Should Know about Martin Luther
This article offers ten insights into the person and work of Martin Luther, including: he caused a U-turn in theology, designed his own "Luther rose," published prolifically, had his eye on the devil, and was a family man.
Five Myths about Martin Luther
This article addresses five commonly mentioned things about Martin Luther that are actually myths: he was a simple monk, he personally nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to a door in Wittenberg, he said, "Here I stand," he was the first to translate the Bible into German, and he said something about planting a tree.
What Sola Scriptura Really Means
This article discusses what Martin Luther really believed about scriptural authority, and thus what he meant by sola Scriptura.
Justification by Faith
This article discusses how man can be justified before God. He surveys the concept of justification in the Old Testament, in the Gospels, and finally in the Epistles. The discussion then proceeds to the views of Martin Luther on the subject, citing some problems in Luther’s views. It also looks at Calvin’s much more polished expressions on the subject, and finally reviews the present-day state of opinion on this matter.
Philippians 3:17-21 – Enemies of the Cross of Christ
This article is a sermon from Martin Luther on Philippians 3:17-21.
Katherine von Bora, Wife of Luther
This article provides a historical account of how Katherine von Bora, a nun in her late teens, was rescued from a convent together with eight other nuns by the help of Martin Luther. Later Katherine got married to Luther himself. The rest of the account details how Katherine was instrumental in Martin Luther's work as a pioneering Reformer in the face of the many dangers and oppositions of their time.
Martin Luther and the Power of Preaching
This article assesses the approach of Martin Luther to preaching, and how in spite of its one-size-fits-all approach, it reminds us that the Word of God has power in itself.
Martin Luther, the Loving Father
This article shows how Martin Luther was a family man who loved children, and wrote about child-rearing himself. It also highlights how he had to grieve multiple times on account of losing children.
Luther on Scripture
Under the leadership of Martin Luther, the doctrine of sola Scriptura became a characteristic of the Reformation. But what did Luther believe about sola Scriptura? This article looks at his perspective on inspiration and inerrancy, to address the question whether or not Luther was the father of neo-orthodoxy.
Luther on Preaching
This article explains Martin Luther's position on preaching: it must have substance, come with authority, and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Martin Luther: Training Children in the Home
Martin Luther was concerned about the Christian home. He saw the home as a place where children must be trained in the truth of the gospel. This article shows that training children must be done in understanding that children are depraved and need Christ. This article explains how Luther viewed such family training.
Martin Luther: A Sketch of His Life
This article is a biography on Martin Luther.
"Evil, Love and the Left Hand of God": The Contribution of Luther's Theology of the Cross to an Evangelical Theology of Evil
Martin Luther is well-known for his theology of the cross. This theology of Luther is based on his view of the love of God and how it relates to suffering and evil. The author introduces into the discussion a Finnish school of interpretation of Luther. This school offers a new understanding of these themes in Luther's theology. In particular the real presence of Christ in the believer is highlighted.
Taking a Stand
This article shows that Reformed churches should not only rejoice that Martin Luther took a stand against error in doctrine, but also be prepared to take the stand themselves.
Why We Need the "Solas"
This article shows how in many ways Martin Luther gave shape to the five Reformation "solas."
Is R. C. Sproul Wrong about Martin Luther? An Analysis of R. C. Sproul's Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification with respect to Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Catholic Luther Scholarship
This essay is concerned with R. C. Sproul's rendering of the positions of Martin Luther and John Calvin against Roman Catholic opponents. It reflects on Sproul's use of their exposition of justification by faith. The author believes that Sproul's usage is lacking.
Martin Luther and the Doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone
Medieval Mistakes
This article assesses evangelicalism and finds much practices in common with the medieval church. The author pleads for a reprioritization of Martin Luther's first of his Ninety-Five Theses, that the entire life of believers should be one of repentance.
Luther on the Christian Life – What Has Geneva to Do with Wittenberg?
This chapter is a general introduction to the study and understanding of Martin Luther. Trueman points out some of the difficulties and dangers in studying Luther today, one of which is to reinvent Luther as a modern Western Evangelical believer and theologian.
Taking Hold of God – Martin Luther on Prayer and Reformation
In this chapter the author first shows that prayer is an important key to understanding Martin Luther as a Reformer and theologian. He further addresses Luther’s basic theology of prayer, his emphasis on the Trinity in prayer, and his personal prayer life.
Martin Luther’s Struggle for Peace with God
In the Service of the King
Martin Luther refuted the view that the true Christian calling involved becoming a monk. He began affirming the spiritual value of the ordinary profession as part of one's high calling. But the Christian church has since abused this teaching as well, and man is once again faced by his own greed versus a true godly vocation.
Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul – How the Mighty Have Fallen: From Luther to Schweitzer
This book’s concern is with what has become known as the New Perspective on Paul, which is concerned with Paul's understanding of the law, works of the law, righteousness, and other related issues. This chapter starts with a history of the study of Paul covering the period from Martin Luther to Albert Schweitzer.
Christian Apologetics Past and Present – Martin Luther
The purpose of this volume is to provide primary sources from important authors with an apologetic concern. Chapter 1 provides an excerpt from Martin Luther, Concerning Christian Liberty (or On Christian Freedom), written in 1520. This work extols one of Luther’s central theological themes: justification by grace through faith. The excerpt is preceded by an introduction to the historical and theological context in which the work of Luther appeared.
Thy Word Is Still Truth – Sola Scriptura: The Reformers' Rediscovery of the Written Word of God
This volume is an anthology of writings representing a high view of Scripture and reflecting the historic Reformed theological and confessional tradition. It offers a selection of texts on the doctrine of Scripture.
Luther's Ethic in Present Day Crisis
This essay is an attempt to understand the ethics of Martin Luther and how they can be applied in present contexts without trying to modernize Luther.
Martin Luther and the Mission of the Church
What was the practice of the Reformers with regard to the mission of the church in the world? Is it true that Martin Luther and John Calvin had no concern for the mission of the church? Gustav Warneck speaks of a "strange silence" of the Reformers in this regard. It is the view of Chaney that Luther was not blind to the missionary call of the church. Read the article for more.
Katherine von Bora: Wife of Luther
This article is a biography of Katherine von Bora, wife of Martin Luther.
John Wesley's View of Martin Luther
This paper seeks to find out what John Wesley's view of Martin Luther was.
Antinomianism – Lessons from History
This is a book about antinomianism. It discusses the conviction that living out of God’s grace in Christ is incompatible with obligations of the moral law. In Chapter 1 the author surveys antinomian debates in the Reformation and post-Reformation eras. He ends with the so-called Marrow Controversy in the eighteenth century.
Singing and Making Music: Sermon in Song: Sacred Music as Proclamation
In worship musicians and preachers share in the ministry of the Word. Purposes of church music include proclamation of the Bible, and the edification and encouragement of the saints. The ultimate goal of all of this is to give glory to God.
Martin Luther's Wife
The Just Shall Live By Faith: The Conversion of Martin Luther
The Importance of the Printing Press for the Protestant Reformation (Part 2)
This article looks at the development of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg, showing how it was used by Martin Luther during the Reformation. Here attention is given to how the printing press was used by Luther for the printing of new Bible translations, tracts, and other books, and how the invention of the press changed Europe.
Reading Luther Not Wisely But Well (Part 2)
This article offers some works of Martin Luther which can be a good start for anyone seeking to better understand Luther.
Reading Luther Not Wisely But Well (Part 1)
Looking at the different reactions to Martin Luther's work, this article shows that Luther's work cannot be understood separate from his life. This author discusses four aspects of Luther's biography that help the reader better understand his written work.
Martin Luther as Translator of the Bible
1527: The Ten Year Anniversary of the Reformation
This article is about the year 1527 and Martin Luther's struggles with the Word of God in the time of the Reformation.
Robert Barnes: English Martyr in 1540
The Right of Private Interpretation?
Preachers of the Cross: The Enduring Heart of the Reformatory Impulse
Luther's Rules for How to Become a Theologian
Martin Luther warns that we must not be put off by the word 'theology'. In the way he understands it, theology is for everybody. We can learn true theology from king David in the Psalms. In the Psalms Luther finds three "rules" by which to become a true theologian: Oratio, meditatio, tentatio" (prayer, meditation, trials).
Luther’s Little Jewel
This article is about Martin Luther's book that he wrote in 1520, The Freedom of the Christian Man.
Luther's Theses in 1517
This article is about the relation of Martin Luther and Augustine, and about Luther's 95 theses and 97 theses.