Martin Luther

Koppenhaver explores Luther’s early life detailing his religious upbringing education and the spiritual struggles that led him to question the practices of the Catholic Church. Central to the narrative is Luther’s bold act of nailing the Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg in 1517 an event that sparked the Reformation. The biography highlights Luther’s challenges in facing opposition from the Church including his excommunication and the Diet of Worms where he famously defended his beliefs. The book also reflects on Luther’s theological contributions particularly his emphasis on salvation by faith alone the authority of Scripture and his translation of the Bible into German which made religious texts more accessible to ordinary people. Koppenhaver provides a balanced portrayal of Luther’s legacy examining both his achievements and controversies including his later writings on Jews and his influence on religious and political thought in Europe.