HIST 388, Great Personalities in History (Litaker): Martin Luther

Volume 1 of The Annotated Luther series contains a number of the writings that defined the roots of reform set in motion by Martin Luther, from the 95 Theses through The Freedom of a Christian. Included are treatises, letters, and sermons written from 1517-1520, revealing Luther's earliest confrontations with Rome and his defense of views that led to his excommunication. Each volume in The Annotated Luther series contains new introductions, annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luther's context and interpret his writings for today.

This volume contains a number of the writings categorized under the theme word and faith. Writings in the volume range from core documents Bondage of the Will, Against the Heavenly Prophets, The Smalcald Articles, and Large Catechism to Luther's own Confession of Faith and treatments of Moses, the Gospels, and Two Kinds of Righteousness. Each volume in The Annotated Luther series contains new introductions, annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luther's context and interpret his writings for today.

Volume 3 of The Annotated Luther series includes The Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520); The German Mass and Order of the Liturgy (1526); That These Words of Christ, This is my Body, etc., Still Stand Firm Against the Fanatics (1527); Concerning Rebaptism (1528), and On the Councils and the Church (1539). Each volume in The Annotated Luther series contains new introductions, as well as annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luthers context and to interpret his writings for today.

Volume 4 of The Annotated Luther series presents an array of Martin Luther's writings related to pastoral work, including sermons, hymns, letters, writings on prayer and the Christian life, as well as his widely used Small Catechism. Prefaces to his own writings contain his reflections on his own reforming work. Each volume in The Annotated Luther series contains new introductions, annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luther's context and interpret his writings for today.

This volume (volume 5) features Luther's writings that intesect church and state, faith and life lived as a follower of Christ. His insights regarding marriage, trade, public education, war and are articulated. His theological and biblical insights also colored the way he spoke of the "Jews" and Turks, as well his admonition to the German peasants in their uprisings against the established powers.