Luther’s Works, Volume 46
Overview
This volume contains eight significant works written between the Peasants War of 1525 and the Diet of Augsburg in 1530.
Top Highlights
“A second question: ‘Suppose my lord were wrong in going to war.’ I reply: If you know for sure that he is wrong, then you should fear God rather than men, Acts 4 [5:29], and you should neither fight nor serve, for you cannot have a good conscience before God. ‘Oh, no,’ you say, ‘my lord would force me to do it; he would take away my fief and would not give me my money, pay, and wages.” (Volume 46, Page 130)
“Our conclusion on this point, then, is that war against equals should be waged only when it is forced upon us and then it should be fought in the fear of God.” (Volume 46, Page 125)
“But just as the pope is the Antichrist, so the Turk is the very devil incarnate.” (Volume 46, Page 181)
“Do you understand these fables? There is as great a difference between changing a government and improving it as the distance from heaven to earth. It is easy to change a government, but it is difficult to get one that is better, and the danger is that you will not. Why? Because it is not in our will or power, but only in the will and the hand of God.” (Volume 46, Pages 111–112)
“But if you do not know, or cannot find out, whether your lord is wrong, you ought not to weaken certain obedience for the sake of an uncertain justice; rather you should think the best of your lord, as is the way of love, for ‘love believes all things’ and ‘does not think evil,’ 1 Corinthians 13 [:4–7].” (Volume 46, Page 131)
- Title: Luther’s Works, Volume 46
- Authors: Martin Luther, Jaroslav Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, Helmut T. Lehmann
- Series: Luther’s Works
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Print Publication Date: 1967
- Logos Release Date: 2001
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc.--History; Lutheran Church; Theology › Early works to 1800
- Resource ID: LLS:42.110.146
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T15:35:17Z
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
4/21/2021
I struggled a little with this volume as it contains Luther’s works concerning the Peasant War - and whilst I do think Luther is overwhelmed by this incident and how his words were used, looking back from the 21st Century it is hard to agree with many of his conclusions about the Peasants. Of course it is informative and often overlooked is his rebuke of the overly harsh treatment of the peasants, which is also included here. Interesting is his look at being a Christian and being in a Soldier - which is of course still quite relevant. So is his examination on the War with the Turks. There are also two very good articles on Keeping Children in School and On Marriage Matters, that do make this a good read. Now on to Vol 47!