Martin Luther: The Preservation of the Church, 1532-1546

Rating:
Summary: Well Done Conclusion to this Series on Luther
Review: As Brecht so correctly titles this final volume of three on the life of Luther, this was the theme of his final sixteen years: the preservation of the church.

He was obsessed with the proclamation of the pure gospel. His final years were devoted to this cause, and Brecht preserves this history in his continued easy to read style, but very scholarly and historically accurate.

While all around him toil and turmoil reigned against this pure gospel and its valued proclamation, the Reformer remainded steadfast in spite of failing health. His disputes with those who wanted to reform too much as well as political problems and disputes even within those of the Lutheran persuasion all troubled him. At times his patience wore thin, and there were signs of anger and rudeness were exhibited. But, my God, what this endured and his steadfastness to the Gospel and God's means of salvation are phenomenal and to followed.

As much historical biography of Luther is of his early period, this treatment of his latter is valuable and a reliable one.