Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric Metaxas

My basic understanding of Martin Luther came from confirmation classes held at my rural Lutheran Church. We covered his 95 theses and Luther's concern over the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences used to shorten or end time in purgatory. Eric Metaxas book, Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World, brings the level of detail on Martin Luther's life to a very granular level.

For example: archaeologists have recently excavated the childhood home of Martin Luther. From the animal bones at the garbage pit by the house they could determine the kinds of food they ate and infer the relative level of wealth in the family. Luther's health problems are also described in painful detail. See several stories about kidney stones.

This book would make a great series on Netflix or Amazon with Luther remaining just barely one step ahead of Roman Empire and Catholic Church authorities wanting to burn him at the stake. The plague would suddenly appear in a town cutting lives short. Many people also die for the cause or die too young. His story includes rescues, romance, and excellent verbal jousting with colorful insults.

As a writer and debater Luther stood well above others at his time. His combined knowledge of the bible, Greek and Latin gave him an advantage over many other other monks and priests who only read biblical commentaries based on the poorly translated Latin Vulgate bible. When facing his accusers he was required to give his opening remarks and answer questions in both Latin and German.

The development of the printing press allowed Luther's voluminous writings to receive a wide distribution. Printers were happy to sell his books and translations as he did not request royalties for his work. Luther also lost control of how his work was used and deliberate misinterpretations of his writing were used to fuel a violent peasant rebellion which provoked an equally violent quashing of the rebellion by the nobles.

In the 20th Century, Nazis plucked some of Luther's later antisemitic writing in a tract to justify the systematic killing of over 6 million Jews. These particular writings conflicted with Luther's earlier and later writings on the subject. When people wish to do evil to people who are different than themselves they will use anything at their disposal to accomplish it.

We have Luther to thank for bibles in the pews at church, congregational singing (he composed several hymns), and services preached in the language of the common people. He also fostered a climate of freedom to question authority with the all the positive and negative consequences.

Eric Metaxas on Martin Luther - 56 minutes

Conversation with Eric Metaxas about Martin Luther - 93 minutes