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Martin Luther

This course is an introduction to the life and writings of the great German reformer, Martin Luther. There are 20 lectures totaling approximately 18 hours. These lectures were given at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Number of lessons: 20
Total length: 18 hours and 35 minutes
Format: Audio
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About This Class


Martin Luther was a key figure in the Reformation and his writings remain a significant influence in theological discussions. His personal reflections provide inspiration and insight into the Bible and daily Christian living. Join Dr. Isaac as you study and evaluate in detail the writings of Martin Luther and recognize how the events in his personal and religious life affected how he thought and lived.

Recommended Reading:

Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, Heiko Oberman 

Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings, Timothy Lull, ed. 

Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther, J. I. Packer & O. R. Johnston, trans. 

Martin Luther's Theology: Its Historical and Systematic Development, Bernhard Lohse 

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About the Professor

Gordon Isaac

Dr. Gordon Isaac, Berkshire Assistant Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, specializes in the Reformation and Martin Luther. He teaches Christian thought, focusing on Luther, Bonhoeffer, Anabaptists, and 19th-century American religion.

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Gordon Isaac

Lessons


  • Dr. Isaacs summarizes the course objectives and lists the recommended textbooks.
  • Luther expressed his views in a way that was shaped by his theology and the culture.

  • Martin Luther was born in Germany in the late 15th century, just after Guttenberg developed his printing press.

  • When Martin Luther posted the 95 theses, his intention was to discuss and debate the misuse of indulgences, but it was interpreted by the church heirarchy as an attack on the power of the papacy.

  • Luther's writings demonstrate his ability to understand and articulate issues that are at the core of the nature of God and man. His theology is distinct from philosophy and consists of many comments on passages in Psalms and Romans.

  • Faith alone justifies. By faith the Christian is made to love God, therefore a person does good works because they cannot remain idle.

  • The work of Christ when he allowed himself to be crucified on the cross, teaches us about God's nature, our nature and our relationship to God.

  • Luther's fourfold sense of scripture focused on historical (literal), allegorical (figurative), tropological (moral), and anagogic (future).

  • Luther's view of the atonement differs from classical views taught during his time and view held by the scholastic tradition.

  • Luther's teaching on justification by faith is central to his theology.

  • Theology of the cross assumes bondage and moves to freedom.

  • Four positions on predestination include the Calvinist, neo-Protestant, intuitu fidei, and Gnesio-Lutherans.

  • Luther's commentary on Galatians is an attempt to set "Law" in its proper setting.

  • The sacraments are an external expression of an internal reality.

  • Luther's teachings on the importance of baptism and arguments for infant baptism.

  • Luther's view of the theological and personal significance of the Lord's Supper.

  • The kingdom of God and secular government have areas of unity and areas of differences.

  • Luther gives a definition of the church and describes characteristics of the church.

  • Luther developed a catechism to help people focus on the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith.

  • Martin Luther's writings can encourage people to pursue their relationship with God on a deeper level.

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