By Martin Marty
A splendid introduction to the LIFE of Martin Luther, his faith, force of character, and foibles.
Martin Marty tells us the biographer's task is to make us feel at home in the world of his subject. He does just that, situating us in theological and political turmoil that was sixteenth century Germany. This is not a treatise on Luther's theology though key elements of that theology are, of necessity, addressed and for good reason. Luther's life was shaped and lived through the lens of his theology.
Martin Luther was the would-be lawyer who could not escape his guilty conscious and dread of God's wrath until God tamed it by the gospel: the just shall live by faith. The gospel righted Luther's world. He was never the same. The gospel shaped his person, his view of the church, sacraments, government, marriage, and parenting.
There is a splendid sense of personhood that emerges from Marty's portrait of Luther: in life, uneasy and unflappable; in speech, earnest and earthy; in relation to others, caring and crass; in relation to God, "wrestler with God" and "apologist for God."
The man who appears in these pages is no angelic saint. Marty does not employ historical cosmetics to hide the blemishes in Luther's character. I appreciate that. I also appreciate his unwillingness to engage in moral grandstanding.
The flaws that blighted Luther's reputation, such as his relation to peasants in 1524-25 or to Jews late in his life, are gross, obvious, and, in the latter case, even revolting. While it is tempting for us contemporary scholars to parade our moral credentials by competing to see who can most extravagantly condemn historical figures such as Luther, in this story wherever denunciation would be in order his words and actions will show him condemning himself without much help from this biographer interfering as a righteous scold. (xi-xii)
I gleaned so much from this work. Here are a few of my highlights:
1. The power of invisible mentors: Bartholomäus Arnold von Usingen and Jodocus Trutfetter were two early professors who significantly shaped Luther as a thinker. Better known, but still unknown to many is Johann von Staupitz, vicar-general of the German Augustinians, who supervised Luther and was instrumental in his growing relationship with God.
2. The impact of one event: On Luther's return trip to the university he was "jolted by a thunderbolt and lightning." Shaken and fearing for his life, he asked for heavenly help, vowing to Saint Anne, "I will become a monk." Marty writes: "He busied himself with interpreting this event all his life." (7)
3. The courage of a doctorate: "He often said that he would not exchange his doctorate for all the world's gold, since he saw it as a call and commission to his work and because it gave him courage." (14)
4. The insights gleaned in the most unusual places: Luther "was jolted into his new understanding" of justification and faith while reading Paul's letter to the Romans in the tower latrine above the sewer. Marty adds, "If so, it would have corroborated well what Luther would tirelessly emphasize: that the saving activity of God happened in mean and often filthy places. The birth of Jesus in a cow stall and his death among criminals were prime examples." (37)
5. What faith does: "It is the nature of faith that is presumes on the grace of God. Therefore 'faith' does not require information, knowledge, or certainty." Marty adds: "This from a a struggler who remained passionate about finding certainty in faith throughout his life." (39)
6. The descriptions of Luther: Marty relays descriptions sketched by others. Very interesting. See pages 49-51
7. Books to read: As I read Martin Luther, Marty referenced many of Luther's writings he deemed essential or those Luther considered among his best. These included: Address to the Christian Nobility, The Babylonian Captivity, The Freedom of a Christian, and The Eight Wittenberg Sermons (Luther considered his best book).
8. Luther's communication gems: Luther was "skilled in the use of language and possessed a good ear for dialect" (72) thereby making the ancient gospels and narratives sound "current." Luther's use of the vernacular set him apart. See also page 140.
9. The impact of a father and his words: See pages 75ff for the interaction between Luther and his father when the latter, intent on seeing his son become a lawyer, took a verbal jab at his son. "The word took such deep root in my heart that I have never heard anything from his mouth which came back to my mind more persistently." (75, cf 154-5 for Luther's love of and appreciation for his father)
10. His description of and relationship with Katherine von Bora:Katherine was a strong woman. She loved her husband dearly. Apparently Katherine could hold her own with the strong-minded Luther. One interaction Marty includes came near the end of his life. Katherine was worried about his failing health. To reassure her, Luther wrote, "Free me from your worries. I have a caretaker who is better than you and all the angels; he lies in the cradle and rests on a virgin's bosom, and yet, nevertheless, he sits at the right hand of God, the almighty Father." (185)
There is so much more to appreciate, and all of this in less than 200 pages. Martin Marty also includes the helpful, "For Further Reading" which provides an annotated list of essential works about Luther's life and work.
The Penguin Lives series was launched by literary biographer James Atlas (1949-2019); the purpose, to provide a succinct account of a disparate group of noted individuals. Reading Martin Luther has me looking for another work in what appears to be a fascinating series.