Unit name | The Theology of Martin Luther |
---|---|
Unit code | THRS30110 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Balserak |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Luther was foul-mouthed, brilliant, and passionately interested in finding a merciful God at the centre of the universe. He ultimately did so, and his discovery turned Europe on its head. But while the significance of Luther is well known, the actual character of his thought is not. This unit will examine that thought in detail, looking at topics like: Luther's notion of the hidden God; his doctrine of human depravity and the bondage of the will; his thinking on the devil; his theology of the cross, his theology of justification by faith, his belief in the priesthood of all believers; his understanding of the Church; his 'two kingdoms' doctrine; his understanding of the Eucharist and of the ubiquity of Christ's body, his eschatology, views on the Jews, and so forth. His thought will be examined within its late medieval context with attention also being given to the larger-than-life character of Luther, the man, and to how Luther's theology develops after his death amongst Lutherans.
Aims:
By the end of the unit students will be expected to have:
acquired knowledge and skill to discuss late medieval and early modern theology
acquired knowledge and skill to discuss the life and thought of Luther within its context
acquired knowledge and skill to discuss the shape of Luthers theology and the positions he held on main theological topics
acquired knowledge and skill to discuss early Lutheranism
acquired knowledge and skill to discuss the academic study of Luther, his life, his theology and early Lutheranism.
and additionally (specific to Level H) to:
Seminars - 3 hours per week
One summative coursework essay of 3000 words (50%) and one exam of 2 hours (50%).
Luther and Erasmus: free will and salvation (SCM Press, c1969)
Luther, Martin, Lecture on Romans, (Westminster, 1961)
Luther, Martin, Selections from His Writings (Doubleday, 1961)
Oberman, Heiko, Luther: man between God and the Devil (Image, 1989)
Marius, Richard, Martin Luther: the Christian between God and death (Belknap, 1999).
The Cambridge companion to Martin Luther (Cambridge, 2003)