The Global Luther: A Theologian for Modern Times

We live in something of a renaissance of Luther studies, especially of his social context, the striking variability of his theology, and the many varieties of Luthers that emerged as he reinvented himself and responded to crises in his life.

This exciting volume brings these new perspectives into a systematic framework. Here new understandings of Luther's popular image, his effect on the Peasants' War, his contribution to language and letters, his relations with Muslims and Jews all lead to fresh interpretations of his personal psychology, social impact, and theological creativity. Especially fruitful are rethinking of such classical topics as his piety, his notion of justification, freedom in relation to modernity, theology of the cross, priesthood of all believers, and other key areas. This volume is destined to mark an important turning point in the appropriation of contemporary historical methods in Luther studies.