Three treatises / Martin Luther ; [translated by Charles M. Jacobs, A.T.W. Steinhauser, and W.A. Lambert. [print]

Includes bibliographical references.

To the Christian nobility of the German nation / translated by Charles M. Jacobs ; revised by James Atkinson -- The Babylonian captivity of the Church / translated by A.T.W. Steinhauser ; revised by Frederick C. Ahrens and Abdel Ross Wentz -- The freedom of a Christian / translated by W.A. Lambert ; revised by Harold J. Grimm.

In these writings, Luther tried to frame his ideas in terms that would be comprehensible to the clergy and people from a wide range of backgrounds. To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, is an attack on the church's corruption and the abuses of its authority, bringing to light many of the underlying reasons for the Reformation. The second treatise, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, contains Luther's sharp criticism of the sacramental system of the Catholic church. The Freedom of a Christian concisely presents Luther's position on the doctrine of justification by faith.

APA - CHECK FORMATING BEFORE USE Luther, M. (1970). Three treatises. Augsburg Fortress Publishing.

MLA - CHECK FORMATING BEFORE USE Luther, Martin. Three Treatises. Augsburg Fortress Publishing, 1970.

Chicago/Turabian - CHECK FORMATTING BEFORE USE Luther, Martin. Three Treatises. Augsburg Fortress Publishing, 1970.

COPYRIGHT NOT covered - Click this link to request copyright permission:

https://lib.ciu.edu/copyright-request-form

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation, a movement that profoundly changed the course of Western Christianity and European history. Born in Eisleben, in what is now Germany, Luther began his career as an Augustinian monk and later became a professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg. Luther's theological insights and objections to certain practices of the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences, sparked the Reformation in the early 16th century. His posting of the Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517 is often cited as the starting point of this religious and cultural upheaval. Luther's writings and actions challenged the authority of the Pope and proposed a radical reevaluation of Christian doctrine, emphasizing salvation by faith alone, the authority of Scripture over church traditions, and the priesthood of all believers. The work "Three Treatises," published in 1970 by Augsburg Fortress Publishing, is a collection of three of Luther's most important early works articulating his emerging Reformation theology. These treatises are typically "To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," "On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church," and "On the Freedom of a Christian." Together, they outline Luther's critique of the ecclesiastical power structure, his denial of the sacramental system as it was then understood, and his vision of the Christian life grounded in faith and freedom. Luther's contributions to theology, the church, and society extend beyond his direct involvement in the Reformation. He translated the Bible into German, making it more accessible to the general populace and fostering the development of a standard German language. He also wrote hymns, contributed to the development of congregational singing in the Protestant tradition, and authored numerous works on theology and pastoral care. Martin Luther's legacy is complex, marked by his profound impact on Christianity, his role in the rise of national consciousness in Germany, and his writings, which have been criticized for their anti-Jewish sentiments. Despite these controversies, Luther remains a pivotal figure in history, revered for his unwavering commitment to what he saw as the truth of the Gospel.