Luther the Reformer

Rating:
Summary: Don't Buy Used
Review: Book itself is fantastic and highly recommended. I just wanted to warn readers to not buy a used copy of this edition. I bought one that seemed to be in great shape but the paperback binding broke after only reading fifty pages and now all the pages are fallng out. Very annoying.

Rating:
Summary: A fine starting point for Luther studies
Review: This book describes the errors of doctrine that Luther confronted in his life, and all the events that led to the departure from Rome. It provides insight into his reasoning, and how he came to his conclusions. In Luther's words, "The most important thing of all is to tell what is true and what is not true." This is the one imperitive we must each do. Someone is lying, and someone is telling the truth, and this book helps to sort that out. Highly recommended for anyone who is actively searching for the truth of why the reformation happened, and what it all means.

Rating:
Summary: Best Basic book on Luther
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: More than a biography
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Luther the Reformer
Review: This is a terrific book, both for people who want a first book to read about Martin Luther, and for those who know the story well. Luther has been the subject of many biographies; Kittelson's book is unique in blending the development of Luther's theology with an account of the life of the man. Kittelson's expertise allows him to tell a complex story clearly and concisely. The book inspired me to read more about Luther, including some of his own writings.

Rating:
Summary: Luther the Reformer
Review: This is a terrific book, both for people who want a first book to read about Martin Luther, and for those who know the story well. Luther has been the subject of many biographies; Kittelson's book is unique in blending the development of Luther's theology with an account of the life of the man. Kittelson's expertise allows him to tell a complex story clearly and concisely. The book inspired me to read more about Luther, including some of his own writings.