This definitive analysis of the theology of Martin Luther surveys its development during the crises of Luther's life, then offers a systematic survey by topics. Containing a wealth of quotations from less-known writings by Luther and written in a way that will interest both scholar and novice, Lohse's magisterial volume is the first to evaluate Luther's theology in both ways. Lohse's historical analysis takes up Luther's early exegetical works and then his debates with traditions important to him in the context of the various controversies leading up to his dispute with the Antinomians. The systematic treatment shows how the meaning of ancient Christian doctrines took their place within the central teaching of justification by faith.

A radical consideration of the the theological impact of the Letter to the Hebrews across the centuries.

Above all else that the sixteenth-century German Reformer was known for, Martin Luther was a Doctor of the Holy Scriptures. One of the most characteristic features of Luther's approach to Scripture was his resolved christological interpretation of the Bible. Many of the Reformer's interpreters have looked back upon Luther's "Christ-centered" exposition of the Scriptures with sentimentality but have often labeled it as "Christianization," particularly in regards to Luther's approach of the Old Testament, dismissing his relevance for today's faithful readers of God's Word. This study revisits this assessment of Luther's christological interpretation of Scripture by way of critical analysis of the Reformer's "prefaces to the Bible" that he wrote for his translation of the Scriptures into the German vernacular. This work contends that Luther foremost believes Jesus Christ to be the sensus literalis of Scripture on the basis of the Bible's messianic promise, not enforcing a dogmatic principle onto the scriptural text and its biblical authors that would be otherwise foreign to them. This study asserts that Luther's exegesis of the Bible's "letter" (i.e., his engagement with the biblical text) is primarily responsible for his conviction that Christ is Holy Scripture's literal sense.

Lee bedient sich der historischen Exegese, um zu erklären, wie sich die reformierte Bundestheologie entwickelt hat. Diese exegetische Methode zeigt die Schwächen aktueller dogmatischer Erklärungen zum Ursprung der Bundestheologie auf und liefert dabei neue Einsichten zur Lehre vom Bund.Der reformatorische Wende hin zu den Quellen warf neue Fragen zu der Bedeutung der biblischen Begriffe vom Bund, berith und diatheke, auf und führte zu der Entwicklung einer eher technischen lateinischen Terminologie, die zwischen foedus, testamentum und pactum unterschied. In diesem Kontext erlangte auch die Beziehung zwischen den Testamenten wieder mehr Bedeutung. Hebräer 7–10 versammelte diese verschiedenen Lehrmeinungen um sich, die im Laufe der Zeit zu einem dezidierten theologischen Bundestopos wurden. Der Hebräerkommentar von Johannes Cocceius von 1659 spiegelt beide Interpretationsanliegen wider. Er bedient sich typisch föderaler Terminologie, die erst im Laufe des 16. Jahrhunderts Eingang in den Sprachgebrauch der Theologen gefunden hatte. Cocceius betont sowohl eine testamentarische Kontinuität als auch den soteriologischen Bruch (er spricht von zwei Formen der Rechtfertigung, eine vor und eine nach Christus). Über die Untersuchung der älteren Hebräerkommentars von Cocceius sticht die hohe Bedeutung der testamentarischen Beziehungen in Cocceius' Denken hervor. Dadurch stellt sich heraus, dass seine Bundestheologie stärker als bislang angenommen in den Entwicklungen des 16. Jahrhunderts wurzelt. Ferner treten die zentralen Kontinuitäten in der reformierten Bundestheologie stärker hervor.

What is conversion? How does it come about? What preparations must a person make? Harran traces the evolution of Luther's views on these questions, treating his early years as an Augustinian monk, the beginnings of his work as a reformer, and his final evangelical breakthrough, during which he realized the full theological implications of his religious stance. Harran studies Luther's changing interpretations of conversion in his exegetical writings on the Psalms, Romans, Hebrews, and Galatians, in sermons and letters, and in early reform writings, and she considers the relation of conversion to faith, justification, and grace, concepts traditionally viewed as the cornerstones of Luther's mature theology. Introducing new and compelling evidence to the heated debate about Luther's own conversion, she analyzes the accuracy of his later recollections of his "Tower Experience" and its dating. Insightful and innovative, Luther on Conversion will be welcomed by anyone interested in Luther and in the revolution in faith that he brought about.