Concerning Christian Liberty with Letter of Martin Luther to Pope Leo X.

Luther, Martin, 1483-1546Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

Rating 4.0

Word count: 100K words
Chapters: 10

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Concerning Christian Liberty; with Letter of Martin Luther to Pope Leo X. by LutherAuthor: Luther, Martin, 1483-1546,Language: English, Class: BR: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Christianity, Release Date: Feb 26, 2006

Editor's review

This volume brings together Luther's On Christian Liberty and his letter to Pope Leo X, a key text for understanding the core theological claims of the Reformation. With justification by faith as its axis, Luther discusses the relationship between the Christian's inner freedom and outward service; the argument is compact and the language has the directness of a polemical age. The letter to the pope supplies historical context and shows the reformer's stance in his confrontation with the Roman Curia. The public-domain English text is suited to close reading of the primary source by readers of religious and intellectual history, and to reading groups discussing concepts such as freedom, authority, and good works. Readers should distinguish between the theological argument and the historical controversy rather than conflating the two.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying the history of the Reformation and the history of Christian thought
Those who want to read Luther's core theological texts in the original
Facilitators leading reading groups on freedom, authority, and faith

Not a good fit for

Readers entirely unfamiliar with Christian theology who do not want a guide
General readers looking for an easy, story-driven read
Those who want only anecdotes about Luther's life rather than his arguments

Reading tips

Read the letter to Pope Leo X first for historical background, then turn to the main text of On Christian Liberty
Mark key terms such as freedom, good works, and faith as you read to trace the chain of argument
Pair the text with a general history of the Reformation so the polemical passages are not read out of historical context

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

What is On Christian Liberty mainly about?

Luther builds on justification by faith, arguing that Christians are inwardly free through faith while outwardly serving others in love. He distinguishes the inner person from the outer person and addresses the relationship between good works and justification.

What is the value of reading the letter to Pope Leo X?

The letter provides the historical context of Luther's dealings with the Roman Curia, showing his polemical stance and the specific background of the conflict. Read alongside the main text, it makes clearer how the theological claims were embedded in a real dispute.

Can I understand it without a background in theology?

The argument itself is fairly concentrated but involves concepts such as justification and good works. Readers with no background are advised to start with an introductory book on the Reformation, or to choose an edition with notes and an introduction, before reading this public-domain English text.

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About the author

Luther, Martin, 1483-1546 Author

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a major figure of the German Reformation. The collection includes 19 of his works, covering catechisms, biblical commentaries, and theological treatises. Representative titles include Martin Luther's Large Catechism, the Small Catechism, Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, the two-volume Commentary on Genesis, A Treatise on Good Works, and Works of Martin Luther with introductions and notes. Written in direct and earnest German and Latin for ordinary believers and clergy alike, these works emphasize justification by faith, repentance, and the relationship between faith and good works, and have had a profound influence on Christian doctrine and the development of modern German. Public information is limited, so specific details of his life are not elaborated here.