
Martin Luther
Visionary Reformer
Scott H. Hendrix(Author)
Yale University Press
Published on 24. November 2015
Book
Hardback
368 pages
978-0-300-16669-9 (ISBN)
Description
A fresh account of the life of Martin Luther The sixteenth-century German friar whose public conflict with the medieval Roman Church triggered the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther was neither an unblemished saint nor a single-minded religious zealot according to this provocative new biography by Scott Hendrix. The author presents Luther as a man of his time: a highly educated scholar and teacher and a gifted yet flawed human being driven by an optimistic yet ultimately unrealized vision of "true religion." This bold, insightful account of the life of Martin Luther provides a new perspective on one of the most important religious figures in history, focusing on Luther's entire life, his personal relationships and political motivations, rather than on his theology alone. Relying on the latest research and quoting extensively from Luther's correspondence, Hendrix paints a richly detailed portrait of an extraordinary man who, while devout and courageous, had a dark side as well.
No recent biography in English explores as fully the life and work of Martin Luther long before and far beyond the controversial posting of his 95 Theses in 1517, an event that will soon be celebrated as the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
No recent biography in English explores as fully the life and work of Martin Luther long before and far beyond the controversial posting of his 95 Theses in 1517, an event that will soon be celebrated as the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Reviews / Votes
"With astonishing conciseness, Hendrix goes a long way toward restoring the reputation of the father of the Reformation... A fine, sturdy biography."-Ray Olson, Booklist (starred review) -- Ray Olson Booklist "[A] richly detailed portrait"-D.G. Hart, Wall Street Journal -- D.G. Hart Wall Street Journal "Comprehensive ... [Hendrix] balances theology and history well... Highly recommended."-Risto Saarinen, First Things -- Risto Saarinen First Things "Outstanding ... the material is colored in distinctively new hues ... mining Luther's correspondence in a new, more thorough way... To a great extent [Hendrix] allows Luther to tell us in his own words about the growth of his inner self."-Denis R. Janz, America -- Denis R. Janz America "Freshly insightful ... [Hendrix] paints a sympathetic portrait of the movement's enigmatic founder."-S. Craig Sanders, Towers -- S. Craig Sanders Towers "[Hendrix] has given us a Luther who is not only an extraordinary theologian, but also a firm friend, a demanding colleague, an energetic administrator, a mediocre politician, and a loving, if sometimes heavy-handed, husband and father... What keeps it together is Hendrix's sharp insights, his easy style and his unfailing eye for telling facts or quotations."-Dr. Alec Ryrie, Church Times -- Alec Ryrie Church Times "Scott Hendrix is a veteran insider historian from the American Protestant tradition, with the worthy aim of tackling some of the complacent myths all families build up about their founding fathers... an efficient performance."-Diarmaid Mac Culloch, London Review of Books -- Diarmaid MacCulloch London Review of Books "Hendrix here offers not only a biography of Luther, but a history of the early Lutheran Reformation. This is indeed a good Luther biography. As 2017 approaches, it will be by no means the last, but the breadth and depth of insight of Hendrix's biography will make it very difficult to match."-Charlotte Methuen, Theology -- Charlotte Methuen TheologyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
16pp. b/w
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
771 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-16669-9 (9780300166699)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2015
1st Edition
Yale University Press
€36.00
Available for download
Person
Scott H. Hendrix is emeritus professor of history, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the author of numerous works on Martin Luther and the sixteenth-century Reformation. He lives in Fearrington Village, NC.