Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction

Scott H. Hendrix

Very Short Introductions

Presents an overview of Luther's life, his writings, his world, and his legacy
Dispels some myths about Luther without destroying the elusiveness of character that keeps this historical figure fascinating
Discusses Luther's anti-Judaism and its place in Nazi propaganda
Includes chapters on his family and the political and cultural influences around him

Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction

Scott H. Hendrix

Description

This introduction presents Martin Luther as historians now see him. Instead of singling him out as a modern hero, the book emphasizes the context in which Luther worked, the colleagues who supported him, and the opponents who adamantly opposed his agenda for change.

Scott H. Hendrix explains the religious reformation and Luther's importance, without ignoring the political and cultural forces that led the reformation down paths Luther could neither foresee nor influence. This Very Short Introduction pays tribute to Luther's genius, but also recognizes the self-righteous attitude that alienated contemporaries, offering a unique explanation for that behaviour.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction

Scott H. Hendrix

Very Short Introductions

Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction

Scott H. Hendrix

Very Short Introductions

Author Information

Scott H. Hendrix, Emeritus Professor of Reformation History, Princeton Theological Seminary

Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction

Scott H. Hendrix

Very Short Introductions

Reviews and Awards

"A useful new book." - Scott Hendrix, The Daily Telegraph

"This is a great addition to OUP's 'Very Short Introductions' series of books, which manages to pack a huge amount of fascinating and useful material into just over a hundred small pages. ... The author is clearly aware of a vast amount of scholarly discussion and secondary literature on Luther and has an enviable ability to summarise and critique it in short compass, and he does a good job of helping us appreciate the historical distance between us and Luther." - Lee Gatiss, Churchman

Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction

Scott H. Hendrix

Very Short Introductions

Reading Guide

PDF download Download this VSI Reading Guide as an Adobe PDF (28 KB)

Questions for Thought and Discussion

How would you rate Luther’s importance as an historical figure? Explain your evaluation.
How was Luther different from the many reformers of Christianity who preceded him?
In what sense were Luther’s ninety-five theses a cause of the Reformation? Does it matter to you whether they were nailed or mailed? Why?
Did Luther ever think of himself as a reformer of Christianity? If so, at what point in his life did he come to that understanding?
Many people would say that Luther was the first Protestant and that he broke away from the Roman Catholic Church? Do you agree? If not, how would you modify the statement?
In what sense was Luther a theologian? What did you find appealing or unappealing about his religious ideas?
Because of Luther, say some people, Christians can read the Bible for themselves and know the truth about God without any help from the church or other authorities? Would Luther agree?
What was Luther’s greatest lasting achievement?
What was Luther’s greatest mistake?
How political was the Reformation? Would you give more weight to religious or to political factors in shaping the outcome of the Reformation?
Was the reform movement that Luther initiated a success?
Would you call Luther an anti-Semite as some writers have done? How does Luther’s historical setting affect your answer?
Are there perspectives from Luther’s writings about the “Turks” that inform current relationships between Christianity and Islam?
How would you characterize Martin Luther as a person? As a father and married man? As a public figure? As a friend?
If you had to write a biography of Luther, which parts of his life would you place in the forefront?
Do you find Katharina von Bora a sympathetic figure? How would you describe the relationship with her husband? Imagine what it would be like to be married to Martin Luther. How did marriage in sixteenth-century Germany differ from marriage today in western societies?

Other books by Scott Hendrix

Luther and the Papacy (Philadelphia 1981)
“Martin Luther, reformer.”In Cambridge History of Christianity, vol. 6: Reform and Expansion 1500-1600 ed. R. Po-chia Hsia. (Cambridge, UK, 2007) 3-19
Luther. Pillars of Theology (New York & Nashville, 2009)