Martin Luther's Understanding of God's Two Kingdoms - (Texts and Studies in Reformation and Post-Reformation Though) by William J Wright (Paperback)

About the Book

A leading Reformation scholar historically reassesses the original breadth of Luther's theology of the two kingdoms and the cultural contexts from which it emerged.

Book Synopsis

The concept of God's two kingdoms was foundational to Luther and subsequent Lutheran theology. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, that concept has been understood primarily as a political concept. But is a political reading of the two kingdoms a perversion of Luther's teaching?

Leading Reformation scholar William Wright contends that those who read Luther politically and see in Luther a compartmentalized approach to Christian life are misreading the Reformer. Wright reassesses the original breadth of Luther's theology of the two kingdoms and the cultural contexts from which it emerged. He argues that Luther's two-kingdom worldview was not a justification for living irresponsibly on planet earth.

From the Back Cover

The concept of God's two kingdoms was foundational to Luther and subsequent Lutheran theology. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, that concept has been understood primarily as a political one. The most striking example is the Nazi corruption of the concept into a dualism that separated one's activities in the realms of church and state. But is a political reading of the two kingdoms a perversion of Luther's teaching?

Leading Reformation scholar William Wright contends that those who read Luther politically and see in Luther a compartmentalized approach to the Christian life are misreading the Reformer. For Luther, both kingdoms were under the laws and rule of God. Wright reassesses the original breadth of Luther's theology of the two kingdoms and the cultural contexts from which it emerged, showing the influence early Renaissance humanism had on Luther. He argues that Luther's two-kingdom worldview was not a justification for living irresponsibly or carelessly on planet earth.

"By placing Luther's concept against the background of his confrontation with skepticism, Wright produces a new vantage point for assessing Luther's framework for guiding human action in this world. Luther's insights are shown to be helpful in addressing the biblical view of daily life to twenty-first-century problems. This commends Wright's study to audiences with a wide variety of interests in implementing the Christian faith in our culture."--Robert Kolb, professor of systematic theology, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis

"Too often the two kingdoms are invoked and not understood. That is not the case here. Professor Wright has offered us a learned and revolutionary new assessment of Luther's understanding of the two kingdoms. This book will be required reading for anyone seeking to explore Luther on this topic for years to come."--David M. Whitford, professor of the history of Christianity, United Theological Seminary

About the Author

William J. Wright (PhD, Ohio State University) is professor of history and head of the history department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In addition to his many scholarly articles and presentations, he is the author of Capitalism, the State, and the Lutheran Reformation.