New Book Available on Martin Luther – The Real Luther: A Friar at Erfurt and Wittenberg
I’m happy to let you know that Concordia Publishing House has just released a new study of Martin Luther. You can view a PDF sample from the book, and order it here. The book is available with a 20% discount for all rostered church workers (of any denomination, not just Lutheran!).
A complete, new translation of Philip Melanchthon’s memoirs of Luther’s life, based on actual discussions with Luther
A fresh chronology of Luther’s life from 1501-17, based on the latest research
Extensive references to both primary and secondary literature for Luther studies
Author Franz Posset, PhD, is an independent researcher and an associate editor of Luther Digest. He has authored five books, including The Front-Runner of the Catholic Reformation: The Life and Works of Johann von Staupitz (2003), and articles for historical encyclopedias. His scholarly research has also appeared in numerous journals. In 2003 he was awarded the Natalie Zemon Davis Prize for superb scholarship.
What Others are Saying
Students and researchers should read this book as a model for how to do Reformation History.
-Markus Wriedt, Dr. Theol., Dr. Habil.
Professor of Historical Theology/Church History
Goethe University Frankfurt/Main and Marquette University
A fascinating history . . . Luther is both a Catholic and a Reformer at the same time.
-Wolfgang Thönissen, Dr. Theol., Dr. Habil.
Professor of Ecumenical Theology
Faculty of Theology, Paderborn
I was constantly fascinated and sometimes even thrilled by his insights into Dr. Martin’s continuity with medieval theology.
-Bishop Richard J. Sklba
Vicar General/Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee
Co-chair of the National Lutheran/Catholic Dialogue
Looks interesting! I will consider when it is available on the Kindle.
@Mike: Will be in a few months.
Why did Concordia publish a book on Luther by a Roman Catholic? How does this book compare to older Roman Catholic works like Grisar? How does it compare to those like Lortz and Wicks?
@James: Why did we publish this book by a Roman Catholic scholar? Because it is a very fine book. How does it compare to older Roman works? You’ll have to buy one and find out! It’s good stuff. [You knew I was going to say that, I hope!]
: )
I like it already, anyone who properly calls Luther a “friar” and not a “monk” is factually correct. Gives one a good feeling about the rest of the book.
Of course, lest anyone get *too* worked up over monk v. friar, Luther himself referred to his “monkery” often. So, frankly, no biggie.
From my blog, here’s a comment from last year. That Posset believes the Luther gun duel theory doesn’t make me want to run out and buy the book.:
Rev. Benjamin Mayes said…
To add to what McCain wrote, I know that Franz Posset’s recent book on Staupitz promotes the duel theory. The legend of Luther killing a man in a duel apparently comes from the notoriously unreliable Table Talk:
http://books.google.com/books?id=r2hHAAAAYAAJ&dq=Hieronymus%20Buntz&as_brr=3&pg=PA36#v=onepage&q=Hieronymus%20Buntz&f=false
Posset does not advance this theory in the book, which was a condition of us publishing it. In fact, due to the research of Dr. Mayes, Posset no longer, as far as I know, advocates that theory. Which is really just a remnant of Roman Catholic polemic.
OK, I’ll pick up a copy and review it.
OK, sounds good. Send me your address, I’ll send you one. Send it to: paul.mccain@cph.org
I’ve started reading it and I’m already in to a few chapters and I’m very impressed. It is very fair and balanced and offers a great review of Luther scholarship through the last couple centuries. Good stuff.
If I remember correctly, many years ago Dr. Posset wrote a book entitled Pater Bernhardus, in which he shows how Dr. Luther was greatly influenced by St. Bernard.
Franz and I talked specifically about the Stotternheim duel theory that he had written about at one time. He now holds that the theory is not based on solid evidence since it derives from interpretation of an ambiguous Table Talk passage. He comments on this a bit in the second chapter, with reference to Melanchthon’s memoir. He also provides helpful comment on the value of the Table Talk for writing a history of Luther.
Rev. Edward A. Engelbrecht
Senior Editor
Posset is an excellent scholar and I was happy to see CPH published him. Though it has unfortunately not ben translated into English, I used Posset’s book on Luther and St. Bernard for an article on Luther and bridal mysticism I am writing at the moment. I also have a lot of faith in the judgment of Dr. Mattox and Wriedt (both of whom were my professors at Marquette), and also the judgment of Rev. Dr. Mayes. I am excited to read the book!
The earlier Catholic Luther scholarship of Grisar, Denifle, and even Lortz which functioned on the basis of character assassination has long been transcended. Unfortunately, more modern Catholic Luther scholars (Wicks, Pesch, etc.) tend operate with a mixture of admiration and incomprehension. One of the reasons why this book is exciting to me is that offers the possibility of a Catholic scholar who actually gets Luther!
I’ve always seen Lortz as a sort of transitional scholar in Luther studies. Yes, he indeed launched attacks against Luther, but he was one of the first to take steps beyond the Denifle / Grisar approach. Those he inspired, men like Jared Wicks, went even further in trying to understand Luther.
Well, I’m probably preaching to the choir.
I do look forward to reviewing this new book. Will the book have any impact on pop-Roman Catholic apologetics? I’ve tried desperately to make Roman Catholics aware that there are more perspectives on Luther than the Cochlaeus approach, mostly to no avail.
@Dr. Jack Kilcrease
Dr. Kilcrease, if you’re referring to “Pater Bernhardus,” that book is in English, through Cistercian Publications, currently for a mere $10. http://www.cistercianpublications.org/Detail.aspx?ISBN=0879076682
I think Posset also wrote a book entitled “Luther’s Catholic Christology.”
Brian, Thanks. I was unaware that it was in English. It’s very good. I recommend it.