Barrett’s (Reformation) Book Notes: Martin Luther, Part 1

Perhaps you are wondering where you should begin when it comes to reading the Reformers. After all, given how many Reformers there were and how much they wrote, this can be an overwhelming task. So today I would like to be of help, if possible. Rather than pointing you to several different Reformers (see here), or to secondary works on the Reformers (see here and here), I would have you begin with Martin Luther himself. And while you will find a variety of ways to read Luther, I would suggest going to the Fortress Press edition of his Luther’s Works, which also provide helpful introductions to each volume.

Career of the Reformer (vols. 31-33).

Start with vol. 31, Career of the Reformer: 1. This volume will take you all the way back to 1517 and dunk you down into some of the first treatises and debates that ignited the Reformation in Germany. Here we have:

Disputation Against Scholastic Theology, 1517
Ninety-five Theses, 1517
Heidelberg Disputation, 1518
Preface to the Complete Edition of a German Theology, 1518
Explanations of the Ninety-five Theses, 1518
Proceedings at Augsburg, 1518
Two Kinds of Righteousness, 1519
The Leipzig Debate, 1519
The Freedom of a Christian, 1520
Why the Books of the Pope and His Disciples Were Burned by Doctor Martin Luther, 1520

Right now I am almost done writing a book on sola scriptura, so I am especially inclined to recommend that you read The Leipzig Debate, 1519. But each of these shows you Luther’s theology at the start of his Reformation breakthrough.

Vol. 32, Career of the Reformer II, is also significant. But focus in specifically on “Luther at the Diet of Worms, 1521.” I would advise reading Roland Bainton’s colorful account of Worms as well to give you background to Luther’s famous “Here I Stand” speech.

Vol. 33, Career of the Reformer III is solely devoted to Luther’s Bondage of the Will (1526). In Luther’s mind, this is one of his most important works (if not his most important work!) in his lifetime. As Stephen Nichols has said, here we get to the “centerpiece of the Reformation.” Really, Luther brings us directly to the doctrine of sola gratia itself, and reveals man’s slavery to sin and total dependence upon the sovereign grace of God, in contrast to Erasmus’ synergism.

Table Talk (vol. 54). 

In the last three volumes I have pumped you full of Luther’s theology. Now it is time to sit down with Luther at the dinner table. Luther’s Table Talk is well-known. Luther, Katherine von Bora, and their six children lived in the Black Cloister in Wittenberg, which was abandoned by Augustinian friars since the Reformation took root. The Luthers constantly hosted guests, including poor students. As you can imagine, dinner, which was typically at 5pm, was filled with conversation, as students and other guests asked Luther all kinds of questions. These students would often jot down what Luther said for their own personal use.

As you might have guessed, with Luther the conversation was typically full of energy and sometimes got quite spirited. John Mathesius describes the atmosphere:

Although our doctor often took weighty and profound thoughts to table with him and sometimes maintained the silence of the monastery during the entire meal, so that not a word was spoken, yet at appropriate times he spoke in a very jovial way. We used to call his conversation the condiments of the meal because we preferred it to all spices and dainty food. …If the conversation was animated, it was nevertheless conducted with decent propriety and courtesy, and others would contribute their share until the doctor started to talk. Often good questions were put to him from the Bible, and he provided expert and concise answers. When at times somebody took exception to what had been said, the doctor was able to bear this patiently and refute him with a skillful answer. Reputable persons often came to the table from the university and from foreign places, and then very nice talks and stories were heard.

Well, now that you have a flavor for these talks, pick up and read them. Here you will not only find Luther’s replies to all sorts of questions and subjects, but his personality as well.

Come back tomorrow for more book recommendations from the pen of the Luther.

Matthew Barrett (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University, as well as the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine. Barrett is also Senior Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church. He is the author and editor of several books, including Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration. You can read about Barrett’s other publications at matthewmbarrett.com.