Skip to main content

THEO 594 - Theology Seminar Luther

Teacher Dr. T. Cross
Semester Fall Duration 8 Weeks
Frequency Every three years
Credits 5 ECTS Workload 150 Hours
Module format Intensive
Applicability For Theology students in Germany, an understanding of Luther‘s Theology is essential. The application of this knowledge to present and future ministry opportunities is invaluable and informs the module on German Pentecostalism and the Lutheran Reception into Pentecostal-Charismatic Theology.
Course structure See module and courses
Contact time 40 Hours Self-Study 110 Hours
Participation requirement See access to the program
Evaluation
Evaluation Hours Weight
Phase 1 50 30%
Readings
 30 10%
Responses to Questions
 10 10%
Reading & Reflection paper
 10 10%
Phase 2 40 30%
Participation
 30 10%
Presentations
 10 20%
Phase 3 60 40%
Research Paper
 60 40%
Total 150 100%
Content of the Module This course will focus on the writings of Martin Luther, placing his thought within the broader historical and cultural context of late medieval Catholicism and the Renaissance. Luther’s early theological writings and the Reformation that they helped to spawn will be examined along with his later theological writings.
Given the importance of Luther’s legacy on Protestantism, it is important for graduate students to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the various aspects of his thought.
Learning Objectives

A. General Learning Objectives This course seeks to:

  • Introduce students to the study of the Reformation period in general and the study of Martin Luther in particular.
  • Offer an overview of the life and theology of Martin Luther.
  • Interpret the various genres of theological writing from Martin Luther by reading, analyzing, and contrasting them with other writers from the time period (both Catholic and Protestant).
  • Describe the historical background to Luther’s Reformation ‘discovery.’
  • Examine the way that theological opposition and debate toward Luther’s ideas helped to shape the way Luther’s own theology developed.
  • Offer an overview of the intellectual and spiritual climate of the late medieval period and the influence it held on Luther’s thought.
  • Evaluate the legacy of Luther’s theology on Protestantism and Lutheranism.
  • Compare and contrast the theology of Luther with that of other Reformers.
  • Develop a model (interpretive ‘grid’) for reading Luther’s writings.
  • Demonstrate the importance of various aspects of Luther’s doctrine on the church today.

B. Specific Behavioral Objectives As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the late medieval background of Luther’s Reformation discovery and the development of his theology.
  • Outline an overview of Luther’s life and theology (for this letter, particularly from a timeline of his writings).
  • Construct an interpretive model for reading Luther’s theological writings.
  • Identify the ways that theological opposition to Luther’s thought shaped Luther’s own theology.
  • Evaluate the legacy of Luther’s theology.
  • Compare and contrast Luther’s theology with that of other Reformers.
  • Assess the value of Luther’s thoughts for the church today.
Outline
  • Forerunners to the Protestant Reformation and Luther
  • Luther’s Early Story
  • Luther Stumbles into Reform with the Church of Rome
  • Luther Leads Reform for his People
  • Luther’s Theological Legacy
Examination See Evaluation
Core Literature

Textbooks:
Luther, Martin. Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings. Edited and translated by John Dillenberger. Garden City, NY: Anchor Books/Doubleday & Company, 1961.
Oberman, Heiko A. Luther: Man Between God and the Devil. Translated by Eileen Walliser-Schwarzbart (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1989.

Recommended Texts:
Althaus, Paul. The Theology of Martin Luther. Translated by Robert C. Schultz. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press, 1966.
Lohse, Bernhard. Martin Luther’s Theology: Its Historical and Systematic Development. Translated by Roy A. Harrisville. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2011.

Reading List:
Cameron, Euan. The European Reformation. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1991.
Domröse, Sonja. Frauen der Reformationszeit. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2010.
Hillerbrand, Hans J. The Protestant Reformation. Revised edition. Perennial Publishers, 2009.
Luther, Martin. The Bondage of the Will. Translated by James I. Packer and O. R. Johnston. Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell/Baker Books, 1957.
____________. Luther: Lectures on Romans. Translated and edited by Wilhelm Pauck. in The Library of Christian Classics. Edited by John Baillie, John T. McNeill, and Henry P. Van Dusen. Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster Press, 1961.
Mannermaa, Tuomo. Christ Present in Faith: Luther’s View of Justification. Edited by Kirsi Stjerna. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2005.
McGrath, Alister E. Reformation Thought: An Introduction. Second edition. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1993.
_______________. The Intellectual Origins of the European Reformation. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1987.
Oberman, Heiko A. The Dawn of the Reformation: Essays in Late Medieval and Early Reformation Thought. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1992.
_______________. The Reformation: Roots and Ramifications. Translated by Andrew C. Gow. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994.
_______________. The Impact of the Reformation. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994.
Ozment, Steven. The Age of Reform, 1250-1550: An Intellectual and Religious History of Late Medieval and Reformation Europe. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1981.
The Table Talk of Martin Luther. Edited by Thomas S. Kepler. Translated by William Hazlitt. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2005.
Watson, Philip S. Let God be God: An Interpretation of the Theology of Martin Luther. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2000 (reprint).
Other information


Back to top