Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation

By: Phillip Cary, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Phillip Cary

How did one man - a humble monk and Bible professor - spark a religious rebellion that changed the course of history? What made Martin Luther's theology so explosive in 16th-century Europe? How did this late-medieval man launch the Protestant Reformation and help create the modern world? And how should we think of him: hero or heretic, rebel or tormented soul? Find out the answer to these questions and more in this series of 24 engaging lectures.

You'll approach Martin Luther as someone who is so interesting to study precisely because he is so controversial. This is an opportunity to understand why Luther's thinking had such a volatile impact on his and our times and why his life continues to be a subject of vigorous religious and historical debate.

Professor Cary explores in depth Luther's subtle, challenging, and sometimes disturbing theology. After examining the genesis of Luther's great theological breakthrough - the doctrine of justification by faith alone - Professor Cary traces the full evolution of Luther's thought, from his early and frightening concept of justification through self-hatred to his later and equally unsettling notion of unfree will and predestination.

You will gain insight into this inspiring religious thinker who presented the Christian gospel as a message of comfort, joy, and freedom; an exceptional writer who did for German what Dante did for Italian; and a prominent theological and intellectual leader who appealed to ordinary Christians by sharing their most cherished values: marriage and everyday family values.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

A must listen

I learned so much from listening to this book. A quick and great deep dive into the personalities of the reformation.

Great lecture

I’ve listened to many lectures, but this is probably one of the best ones I’ve heard so far

<br />Want to know about Martin Luther?

Very through, enthusiastic presenter who makes complex subjects understandable! This series generated much discussion and thought!

We really enjoyed it.

Fantastic

Very informative, interesting, and well presented. I had no trouble continuing to listen. Interesting from a religious and a historical perspective.

Thoughtful

You can't really learn about a subject from someone who disrespects it. This is particularly true about religion. Phillip Cary respects his subject without drawing over it or being uncritical. He has put a lot of thought into it and respectively presents it in a way I can understand. Compare to the course "How Jesus became God" This disrespects Christianity by the assumption that he was made God by his followers. Conclusion: Christianity is a fake religion. All Christian history classes have been very good because they are not presented by people that disrespect it. This course is the best of the bunch so far. More to go.