Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career [Paperback]

James M. Kittleson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

Engaging and authoritative, Kittleson's important and popular biography is here — represented with a new cover and new preface by the author. His single-volume biography has become a standard resource for those who wish to delve into the depths of the Reformer without drowning in a sea of scholarly concerns.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James M. Kittleson is Professor of Church History and Director of the Lutheran Brotherhood Foundation Reformation Research Program at Luther Seminary. He is the author of more than thirty articles in such publications as Sixteenth Century Journal, Lutheran Quarterly, The Archive for Reformation History, and Church History and the author of several books including most recently Toward an Established Church: Strasbourg’s Reformation from 1500 to the Dawn of the Seventeenth Century (2000), and served as a senior editor of The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation (1996).

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: FORTRESS PRESS (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800635973
• ISBN-13: 978-0800635978
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Lutheran

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than a biography, February 5, 2003

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and His Career (Paperback)

This fascinating book is a biography of that first and most famous of the Reformers, Martin Luther. However, it is much more than a biography. In this book, the author traces the evolution of Luther's theology, as he moved from being a faithfully conforming monk, to being a loyal reformer, to being a violent opponent of the Roman Catholic Church. Along the way, the author explains Luther's opinions, where they came from, and how they evolved.

I must say that I found this to be an absolutely riveting book. At first, I was somewhat worried that the author, a Lutheran professor, was taking far too biased of a look at Luther. However, this book is not intended to be an exposé, but a look at Luther's theology. All people, from all sides, presented in this book are covered in a sympathetic way, accepting them as they appeared, and not attributing any spurious attitudes or motives to them.

Overall, I found this book to be quite interesting and informative. If you are interested in Lutheran theology, or just reading about Martin Luther, then I highly recommend this book to you.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine starting point for Luther studies, July 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Luther the Reformer (Paperback)

Kittleson's concise treatment of the life and work of Martin Luther is a wonderful starting point for those interested in knowing more about Luther who are NOT interested in minute detail. Kittleson covers the major writings, the famous "here I stand" moments, and all the other basics to understanding Luther and his beliefs. While this is not as in depth as Oberman or Erikson's treatments, it is informative and well-though out, put together in a manner which reads easily and stays in your head permanently, a must for seminarians and others who read quickly and forget even faster. Kittleson has done a marvelous job presenting Luther here; I highly recommend this book for others.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Basic book on Luther, January 23, 2001

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Luther the Reformer (Paperback)

This book easily eclipses Bainton's and others in providing an accurate, yet readable for the layman as well as pastor and scholar who wants to begin understanding Luther and the Reformation. Not bogged down with the scholarly drawl of painstakingly covering all the angles and previous opinions on this most intriguing of historial figures. Great maps and index. Highly recommened.