Luther, Martin (1483-1546)

Martin Luther Page -- from Project Wittenberg

Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 9: Laprade-Mass Liturgy -- from Herbermann, Charles George (1840-1916)

Luther on the Eve of His Revolt

Luther on the Eve of His Revolt

Martin Luther -- from The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge

Assorted Sermons By Martin Luther

Description: Protestant reformer Martin Luther wrote many revolutionary works in his lifetime (the 95 Theses being the most influential), but he also preached hundreds of sermons in churches and universities. This collection gathers eight of them into a convenient source with an index for easy reference. Luther's classic image in the Christian church makes him a relevant and familiar choice for allusion. Much as Shakespeare's did for literature, Luther's phrases, such as "sola scriptura" (scripture alone), "sola fide," (faith alone), and "law and gospel," entered mainstream religious language. Luther preaches here on many topics, including "The Parable of the Sower," "Enemies of the Cross of Christ," and "Of the Office of Preaching." This last message is particularly relevant to modern pastors or those who share the message of good news as it gives suggestions and warning about preaching. And this advice, coming from the mouth of one of Christian history's most important figures, should surely be heeded.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer

Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians -- from Project Wittenberg

Description: The importance of this Commentary on Galatians for the history of Protestantism is very great. It presents like no other of Luther’s writings the central thought of Christianity, the justification of the sinner for the sake of Christ’s merits alone. We have permitted in the final revision of the manuscript many a passage to stand which seemed weak and ineffectual when compared with the trumpet tones of the Latin original. But the essence of Luther’s lectures is there. May the reader accept with indulgence where in this translation we have gone too far in modernizing Luther’s expression—making him “talk American.”

Concerning Christian Liberty -- from Project Gutenberg

De Servo Arbitrio “On the Enslaved Will” or The Bondage of Will -- from Covenanter Page

Description: In the September of 1524, Erasmus of Rotterdam, a prominent Catholic scholar of the Reformation Era, published his first attack on Martin Luther's theology. While Erasmus argued for the free will of human beings, Luther argued that humans' sinful nature rendered them slaves to wickedness, free only to sin unless by the intervention of God's sovereign grace. This treatise, which contains Luther's reply to Erasmus, constitutes one side of one of the first and most important debates that emerged during the Reformation, namely, that concerning free will and predestination. Later in his life, Luther would regard De Servo Arbitrio as one of his best works; by contrast, he was loath to recognize some of his other early works as belonging to him at all.

Kathleen O'Bannon
CCEL Staff

Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained

Description: E. H. Gilett, translator and scholar of The Epistle of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained, describes the value of this book with the following sentence: "The relation of faith to works is clearly and carefully defined, while the subjects presented in the text afford full opportunity for discussing the great questions that concern the relative duties of civil and social life." He concludes, "The volume thus becomes at once a manual of doctrine and of duty." Although not written in Luther's own hand[writing], copies of this document date back to as early as 1522. -KTV

First Principles of the Reformation or the Ninety-five Theses and the Three Primary Works -- from

Description: "I, Martin Luther, Doctor, of the Order of Monks at Wittemberg, desire to testify publicly that certain propositions against pontifical indulgences, as they call them, have been put forth by me." This volume is a collection of several works by the father of the Reformation, Martin Luther, edited by Henry Wace. First is a series of introductory essays by Wace and others, and a synopsis of the theology of the Reformation in his famous 95 Theses. These Theses are, per the title, included in this work. The other three primary works in this publication are: "To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Respecting the Reformation of the Christian Estate," "Concerning Christian Liberty," and "On the Babylonish Captivity of the Church." All three are a collection of writings and letters Luther authored on each religious issue. All three pieces, as well as the Theses, are valuable works of literature written by one of the most important Christian figures ever, and should be studied and treasured.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer

Large Catechism (Author)

Description: "This sermon is designed and undertaken that it might be an instruction for children and the simple-minded." So begins Martin Luther's preface to his book Large Catechism. But this declaration should not scare away any readers, be they old or young, because Large Catechism is a masterpiece of doctrine that clearly explains the basic tenets of Luther's theology. He intended the writings to be read to children in order that they might learn the catechism and begin to memorize it, but the volume has become a beloved tool for teaching new Lutherans of all ages. The doctrines broken down in the Catechism are: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles' Creed, The Lord's Prayer, the sacrament of baptism, and the sacrament of communion. Each is broken down further into its parts (each commandment, the articles of the creed, etc.) and the fundamentals are explained in simple language. This summation of Lutheran doctrine has survived the centuries, and the relatively short document is a necessity for Lutherans and those interested in the founding father of Protestantism.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer

Luther's Little Instruction Book: The Small Catechism of Martin Luther

Description: Small Catechism is the abridged version of Luther's Large Catechism. Written in the traditional catechism form of a query followed by an answer, these brief Q and As explain the backbone of Lutheran theology. The question asked for each section of the Ten Commandments, Apostle's Creed, and Lord's prayer is "What does this mean?" while the sections on the sacraments include questions like "What does baptism give?" and "How can physical eating and drinking do such great things?" The book is a quick and helpful guide to common practices in the Lutheran church, and is best used as reference or for memorization purposes. Those looking for more complete explanations of Lutheran theology should refer to Luther's Large Catechism.

Abby Zwart
CCEL Staff Writer

Ninety-five Theses (Latin) -- from Project Gutenberg

Description: Martin Luthers's "Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" in its original Latin along with an English translation.

Open Letter on Translating -- from Project Gutenberg

Preface to Romans (Portuguese)

Language: Portuguese

Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Author)

Description: Martin Luther’s Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans summarizes the core belief of the Reformation: justification by faith in Christ. The relatively short document can even serve as an introduction to the Reformation movement as a whole, as it uniquely and succinctly lays out some of its characteristic ideas. As well as covering the relationship between faith and good works, Luther addresses the nature of sanctification in general and the conflict between the spirit and the flesh. The Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans is a quick and rewarding read, serving as a gateway text to the Reformation and the theology of Martin Luther.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff

Smalcald Articles -- from Project Gutenberg

Table Talk

Description: In 1517, Martin Luther's 95 Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation by challenging the practices of the Roman Catholic Church and the authority of the pope. Many of Luther's books were ordered to be burned as a result of Luther's dissent. Despite this fact, a copy of Martin Luther's Table Talk (then entitled Divine Discourses) was found preserved under the foundations of a German citizen's home in 1626. Table Talk contains a series of informal conversations Luther shared with his students and colleagues in his home. The topics of these conversations range from religious doctrine and history to instructions regarding government, church, and the academic university. Throughout this text, Luther presents his beliefs boldly, and at times, his opinions may seem extremely biased. While the ethical implications of Luther's views are highly debated, Table Talk provides an uncensored look at Luther's influential ideas.

Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer

Treatise on Good Works

Description: A Treatise on Good Works is considered Luther’s clearest exposition on Christian life and the relationship between faith and good works. Contrary to the teachings of the Roman church of his day, Luther taught that people need not perform extraordinary acts of religious devotion to be saved, but rather that Christ saves them by grace through faith. Neither the church nor any other human institution can define what it means for each individual to obey and serve God, and only through the grace of God can people live and act faithfully in their everyday affairs. These doctrines, foundational for Protestantism, have shaped both Christendom and culture at large. This essay is doubtlessly one of the most important texts of the last 500 years.

Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff