Luther and His World

This book is a great way to get yourself aquainted with the scenario in which Luther came to be such an important person. Two things about this book make it well worth $8: (1) The Pictures! Check out Roland Bainton's cheezy illustrations in Here I Stand, and these will just glimmer in comparison. In addition to the obligatory "Luther went to school here;" "Luther went to the bathroom here;" etc, there are some honestly great pieces of art in here, among which, notably, are some by Matthias Grunenwald, Albrecth Durer, and Lucas Cranach the Elder. (2) The Broadness of Scope! The Accessibility! Tomlin isn't going to flat-back you with some novel interpretation of the "Theses Against Scholastic Theology," or offer a normative judgment on the exact date of Luther's Evangelical Experience. What he will do is give you the big idea of how Luther thought about things, and why people alternately embraced and took great offense at him. Tomlin studied under Alister McGrath at Oxford and obviously learned well, as his summations here are quite accurate and his insights, while restrained, are incisive. What emerges is a simple picture of Luther that hits all the important points, while refreshingly avoiding the two hazards of either disregard for his greatness or hagiography selectivity. Ultimately, this book invites further reading and engagement with a theologian who must not go unread by the church today. Highly Recommended.

Like the other title of this series, "Faith in the Byzantine World," Tomlin's book is beautifully illustrated with maps, color photos, excerpts from primary sources, and more. You really will love to look at this book, let alone read it! As the other review has noted, this book is quite sympathetic to Luther and his theology, but it does present the reader with a fair and strong understanding of the Roman Catholic context of the Reformation. Highly recommended for catechism class or adult group study, or as a companion to a more detailed account of the Reformation (Jaroslav Pelikan's Volume Four of his "The Christian Tradition", for example). You will certainly not go wrong in buying this book! Enjoy!

This is a sympathetic treatment of the life and impact of this giant of the Reformation era. The author is conversant with the modern re-interpretations of Luther, but he focuses on the objective facts of Luther's life and beliefs, as well as the dynamics that helped make Luther a bridge from medievalism to the modern world. Filled with colorful anecdotal material and Luther's interactions with friends and adversaries, the author portrays the human side of Luther in the development of his belief system. The concluding chapter sketches the importance of Luther's thought and its lasting influence. This handbook on Luther is a glossy publication with useful sidebars, contemporary paintings, and modern photographs.