Luther, vol. 1 of 6

Luther, vol. 1 of 6

(PREFACE TO THE FIRST AND SECOND GERMAN EDITIONS) The authors purpose in the present work[1] has been to give an exact historical and psychological picture of Luthers personality, which still remains an enigma from so many points of view. He would fain present an accurate delineation of Luthers character as seen both from within and from outside throughout the history of his life and work from his earliest years till his death. He has, however, placed his heros interior life, his spiritual development and his psychic history well in the foreground of his sketch. The external history of the originator of the great German schism has indeed been dealt with fully enough before this. Special historical studies on the various points of his career and times exist in great number and are being daily added to. Whenever necessary, the author has made use of such existing material, although these works are only rarely quoted, in order not to overload the book. Everyone knows with what animation Luthers life has recently been discussed, how his doctrines have been probed, and how they have been compared and contrasted with the theology of the Middle Ages. The Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, a work of Luthers youth, which was first made use of by Denifle and which now exists in a printed form, has supplied very important new material for the study of the rise of his opinions. With the assistance of this work it has become possible to give an entirely new explanation of how the breach with Rome came about. With regard to the actual questions of dogma, it has been my endeavour to bestow upon them the attention necessary for a right comprehension of history; at the same time the theological element can only be considered as secondary, our intention being to supply an exact portrait of Luther as a whole, which should emphasise various aspects of his[xxviii] mind and character, and not to write a history of dogma, much less a controversial or theological tract. The investigation of his mind, of his intellectual and moral springs of action, and of the spiritual reaction which he himself experienced from his lifes work, is indispensably necessary if we wish to do justice to the man who so powerfully influenced the development of Europe, and to form a correct idea of the human sides, good as well as bad, of his character. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 48995
Author: Grisar, Hartmann
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Dessoulavy, C. L. (Charles Louis)

Translator: Lamond, E. M.