Luther's Gospel

Martin Luther was one of the most influential figures of the last millennium, with around 900 million people worldwide belonging to Protestant churches that can trace their origins back to the Reformation which he started five hundred years ago. His thinking and his writing were always original, fresh, controversial and provocative; evoking world-changing reactions in the sixteenth century that are still echoed today.This book offers an accessible path into Luther’s mode of thought, by paying close attention to the way he approached a wide range of issues in his own century, and how some of that thinking might give us new ways to approach contemporary issues. Analysing his approach to topics such as sex, freedom, prayer, evil, pilgrimage and Bible translation, Tomlin’s analysis vividly illustrates the mind of a man who was very much of his time, and yet whose ideas still speak creatively to the modern world and those who follow in his footsteps. Combining scholarly insight into some of the key issues surrounding the study of Luther today with a written style that renders it easily accessible to the academic and non-specialist alike, the result is an ideal guide for those wishing to get inside the mind of this most remarkable man.

Tomlin has produced a highly-informative book that is a welcome addition to an ever-growing field. Tomlin's book is first-rate scholarship., It is clear that the book comes from a deep knowledge of [Tomlin's] history and theology. The writing is consistently accessible.

Graham Tomlin is Bishop of Kensington and President of St Mellitus College in London, and taught on Luther and the Reformation within Oxford University for many years.