Tag: Martin Luther

Martin Luther and John Calvin: Allies, Rivals, and Architects of the Reformation

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Martin Luther and John Calvin: Allies, Rivals, and Architects of the Reformation
Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was not the work of one man but of many reformers whose ideas reshaped Christianity in Europe. Among them, Martin Luther and John Calvin stand as two of the most influential. Though they never met in person, their theological and historical legacies were deeply intertwined. Luther laid the groundwork for Protestant reform, while Calvin refined and … Read More “Martin Luther and John Calvin: Allies, Rivals, and Architects of the Reformation” »

The History of the Lutheran Church

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The History of the Lutheran Church
Reformation

Introduction  The Lutheran Church is one of the major branches of Protestant Christianity, tracing its origins directly to the Reformation in the early 16th century. Rooted in the teachings of Martin Luther, this tradition has profoundly influenced Western Christianity, theology, and European history. Martin Luther and the Birth of the Lutheran Church  Martin Luther, a … Read More “The History of the Lutheran Church” »

Martin Luther King, Jr. on Luther vs Calvin

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Martin Luther King, Jr. on Luther vs Calvin
Modern History, Reformation

The text that I am going to share is of historical interest on multiple levels. On one hand, it is an examination of the theology of Martin Luther compared to the theology of John Calvin. That is an important topic. But this examination was also writing by Martin Luther King, Jr., who is of historical … Read More “Martin Luther King, Jr. on Luther vs Calvin” »

And the Most Influential Christian of the Past is …

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And the Most Influential Christian of the Past is …
General History

I recently did a Twitter poll on influential Christians of the past. It was an eclectic list ranging from theologians to musicians. I tried hard to include some women, but since women have not traditionally had the same opportunities, they were underrepresented. There were some surprises. Some people like John Calvin and C.S. Lewis were … Read More “And the Most Influential Christian of the Past is …” »

Martin Luther’s Commentary on Romans

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Martin Luther’s Commentary on Romans
Book Reviews, Reformation

As a part of my preparation for a course on Romans that I’m teaching at Tyndale University College, I reread Martin Luther’s Commentary on Romans. This commentary is one of the most influential commentaries in Christian history. Much of Luther’s thought emerged out of his study of Romans and his reflections upon justification by faith. … Read More “Martin Luther’s Commentary on Romans” »

Should We Celebrate Martin Luther?

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Should We Celebrate Martin Luther?
Reformation

We have just reached the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 theses on the Wittenberg Door and the start of the Protestant Reformation. Like many, I posted many links to my Facebook page of articles on Martin Luther. My observation is that articles on Martin Luther fell into two groups: those that praised him … Read More “Should We Celebrate Martin Luther?” »

Did Martin Luther Reject Reason?

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Did Martin Luther Reject Reason?
Reformation

Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “Reason is the enemy of faith.” That is a difficult statement for those who believe that Christianity is a reasonable faith. Like any historical inquiry, statements need to be examined in context. Roland Bainton puts Luther’s statement in perspective with this explanation: Luther often railed at reason, and he … Read More “Did Martin Luther Reject Reason?” »