Theology of Martin Luther

Course Code: BTT05

Resources for Constructing Theologies: Theology of Martin Luther

BD UI, Semester 1, 2 Credit Hours, College Paper

Course Description and Objective:

This course is designed to introduce the key theological reflections of Martin Luther in its original contexts and examine those theological reflections in the light of present day socio-religious and ecclesiological situations. By the end of this course, students are expected to:

1. Identify the key theological issues addressed by Luther and recognize the main theological contributions he made as Reformer and Theologian.
2. Describe the key contents of Luther’s theology.
3. Evaluate Luther’s Theology in the light of present-day contexts.
4. Articulate how Luther’s theology is relevant for church and society today.

Course Requirement

• Final Examination: 60%
• Internal Assessment: 40%

Course Outline

1. Brief Historical Overviews:

• Life of Martin Luther (1483-1545).
• Political/Social/Ecclesial Situation.
• Philosophical Background of Luther’s Theology.
• Luther Vs. Papacy – Disputations:
  • Ninety-Five Theses on Indulgences, Penance, Forgiveness, Church and Office (Heidelberg Disputation -1518).
  • Over Justification, Faith, and Church Authority.
  • Over Sacramental Theologies and Practices (1519/20).
  • Over Scripture, Law and Gospel, Temporal Authorities.
  • Over Distinction between Two Kingdoms and Two Governments (1523).
  • Over Bondage of Will (1525).

2. God and Word of God

• Godhead of God/God is God.
• Hidden God and Revealed God.
• God is the God of the divine Word.
• Sola Scriptura: Oral/Written/Sacramental Word of God.

3. Anthropology and Doctrine of Justification

• Two Realms.
• Two Kingdoms.
• Two kinds of Righteousness.
• Law and Gospel.
• Faith and Work.

4. Ecclesiology and Sacraments:

• Theology of the Cross.
• Freedom of Christians.
• Priesthood of All Believers.
• Baptism.
• Lord’s Supper.

5. Reading Luther’s Theology Today:

• From the Perspective of Pluralism and Ecumenism.
• From the Perspective of Moral/Spiritual Crises in the Church and Society.
• From the Perspective of people at Margins.

Bibliography

Books for Recommended Readings:

• Althaus, Paul. The Theology of Martin Luther. Minneapolis, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966.
• Bainton, Roland H. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. N.Y.: Abingdon, Coksbury Press, 1950.
• Bayer, Oswald. Martin Luther’s Theology: A Contemporary Interpretation. Thomas H. Trapp, trans. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2008.
• Ekka, Jhakmak Neeraj. Christ as Sacrament and Example: Luther’s Theology of the Cross and its Relevance for South Asia. Minneapolis: Lutheran University Press, 2007.
• Kolb, Robert. Luther’s Way of Thinking: Introductory Essays, Collected Essays. Trivandrum: Luther Academy India, 2006.
• Martin Luther Confessor of the Faith: Christian Theology in Context. FIN: Oxford, 2009.
• Kolb, Robert and Charles P. Arand. The Genius of Luther’s Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Thinking for the Contemporary Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 2008.
• Lohse, Berhard. Martin Luther’s Theology: Its Historical and Systematic Development. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2011.
• Nürnberger, Klaus. Martin Luther’s message for us today: A Perspective from the South. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications, 2005.
• Sahayadhas, R. Hindu Nationalism and the Indian Church: Towards an Ecclesiology in Conversation with Martin Luther. New Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2013.
• Sahayadoss, Santhosh J. Martin Luther on Social and Political Issues: His Relevance for Church and Society in India. Peter Lang, 2006.
• “The Future of Lutheran Theology and Lutheran Communion in India.” Gurukul Journal of Theological Studies. Special Issue. Vol. XXII, No. 2 (June 2011).

Books for Further Readings:

• Altmann, Walter. Luther and Liberation: A Latin American Perspective. Translated by Mary M. Solberg. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992.
• Atkinson, James. Rome and Reformation Today: How Luther Speaks to the New Situation. Oxford: Lutterworth House, 1982.
• Braaten, Carl E. Principles of Lutheran Theology. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1983.
• Justification: The Article By Which The Church Stands or Falls. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990.
• Brendler, Gerhard. Martin Luther: Theology and Revolution. Translated by Claude R. Foster, Jr. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.
• Cranz, F. Edward. An Essay on the Development of Luther’s Thought on Justice, Law, and Society. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1964.
• Ebeling, G. Luther: An Introduction to His Thought. Translated by R.A. Wilson. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1970.
• Forde, Gerhard O. Where God Meets Man: Luther’s Down-to-Earth Approach to the Gospel. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1972.
• On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, 1518. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997.
• Forell, George W. The Luther Legacy: An Introduction to Luther’s Life and Thought for Today. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1983.
• Gritsch, Eric W. Martin: God’s Court Jester: Luther in Retrospect. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1983.
• Hendrix, Scott H. Luther & the Papacy: Stages in a Reformation Conflict. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981.
• Hoffman, Bengt R. Theology of the Heart: The Role of Mysticism in the Theology of Martin Luther. Minneapolis: Kirk House Publishers, 1998.
• Jensen, Gordon A. The Significance of Luther’s Theology of the Cross for Contemporary Political and Contextual Theologies. Toronto: University of St. Michael’s C – (Dissertation), 1992.
• Kirst, Nelson, ed. Rethinking Luther’s Theology in the Contexts of the Third World. Third World Lutheran Theological Educators Conference, Brazil, 1988. Geneva: Lutheran World Federation, 1990.
• Kolb, Robert. Bound Choice, Election and Wittenberg Theological Method: From Martin Luther to the Formula of Concord. Lutheran Quarterly Books. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2005.
• Martin Luther as Prophet, Teacher, and Hero: Images of the Reformer, 1520-1620. Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Thought. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1999.
• Loewenich, Walther von. Luther’s Theology of the Cross. Translated by Herbert J.A. Bouman. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1976.
• Lohse, Bernard. Martin Luther: An Introduction to His Life and Work. Translated by Robert C. Schultz. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986.
• Manns, Peter, Meyer and Harding, eds. Luther’s Ecumenical Significance: An Interconfessional Consultation. In collaboration with Carter Lindberg and Harry McSorley. Philadelphia: Fortress Press and New York: Paulist Press, 1984.
• McGrath, Alister E. Luther’s Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther’s Theological Breakthrough. Oxford: Blackwell, 1985.
• McSorley, Harry J. Luther. Right or Wrong? An Ecumenical-Theological Study of Luther’s Major Work, “The Bondage of the Will.” Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1969.
• Ngien, Dennis. The Suffering of God According to Martin Luther’s ‘Theologia Crucis.’ American University Studies, Series VII, Theology and Religion, Number 81. New York: Peter Lang, 1995.
• Sahayadoss, Santosh. Martin Luther on Social and Political Issues: His Relevance for Church and Society in India, Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 2006.
• Sahayadoss, Santosh. “Martin Luther’s Theology of the Cross and its Significance for Creating a Culture of Peace,” in Violence and Peace: Creating a Culture of Peace in the Contemporary Context of Violence, ed. Frampton F. Fox, Pune and Bangalore: CMS and ATC, 2010.
• Stauffer, Richard. Luther as Seen by Catholics. Translated by Mary Parker and T.H.L. Parker. Ecumenical Studies in History. London: Lutterworth Press, 1967.
• Steinmetz, David C. Luther in Context. Second Edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1995.
• Watson, Philip S. Let God be God! An Interpretation of the Theology of Martin Luther. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1948.
• Wengert, Timothy J. Harvesting Martin Luther’s Reflections on Theology, Ethics, and the Church. Lutheran Quarterly Books. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans, 2004.
• Ziemke, Donald C. Love for the Neighbour in Luther’s Thought, 1512-1529. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1963.

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