ebooks After the Wrath of God: AIDS; Sexuality; and American Religion by Anthony M. Petro in History

Description

When Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses (reputedly nailed to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg); he unwittingly launch a movement that would dramatically change the course of European history. This superb short introduction to Martin Luther; written by a leading authority on Luther and the Reformation; presents this pivotal figure as historians now see him. Instead of singling him out as a modern hero; historian Scott Hendrix emphasizes the context in which Luther worked; the colleagues who supported him; and the opponents who adamantly opposed his agenda for change. The author explains the religious reformation and Luther's importance without ignoring the political and cultural forces; like princely power and Islam; which led the reformation down paths Luther could neither foresee nor influence. The book pays tribute to Luther's genius but also recognizes the self-righteous attitude that alienated contemporaries. The author offers a unique explanation for that attitude and for Luther's anti-Jewish writings; which are especially hard to comprehend after the Holocaust.