Eric Metaxas, Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World (aff). New York: Viking, 2017. 480 pages.
Eric Metaxas is an interesting biographer. He has previously written engaging works on William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (aff. links). This biography may be his most ambitious yet. In his typical entertaining style, he tackles a giant of history: Martin Luther.
Like all good biographers, Metaxas debunks popular legends and reveals fresh insights into Luther’s character that provide a far more nuanced view than famous history-makers typically enjoy. Metaxas argues that Luther changed the world like few others in history. He claims that the modern idea of the individual and the concept of personal responsibility arose from Luther’s thoughts. He says, “Suddenly, the individual had not only the freedom and possibility of thinking for himself but the weighty responsibility before God of doing so” (2). Luther was also responsible for dividing Christendom. Metaxas claims, “But for good or ill, Martin Luther was the midwife of the irrevocably divided world in which we now live” (2). During the Middle Ages there was only one church and one acceptable worldview. Luther destroyed that framework and allowed for a pluralistic world in which individuals were allowed to choose their own way.
Interestingly, Metaxas points out that historians are unsure of which year Luther was born, either 1482 or 1483. Metaxas opts for 1483 (7). Luther’s life is full of ironies. He was baptized on November 11, the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin took a stand for Christ in the fourth century in the city later known as Worms, the same city where Martin Luther would famously take his stand as well (7). Later, Luther took his oath as an Augustinian monk in Erfurt. He knelt only a few feet from the tomb of Andreas Zacharias, whose claim to fame was that he had been the leader in having John Hus condemned and burned as a heretic (34). Luther would spend much of his life avoiding the same fate.
Luther’s father intended for him to become a lawyer and to support his parents in their old age. Yet, in a famous encounter with a lightning storm, Luther cried out to St. Anne that he would become a monk if she protected him (31). He kept his vow and joined the Augustinian order. Luther took God and his word extremely seriously. He was overwhelmed the first time he spoke the mass and realized he could talk directly to God (40). Luther agonized over his sin. In a famous encounter, he confessed to his superior for six hours every minute sin he could think of, yet he could find no relief. His confessor declared that it was not God who was angry at Luther but Luther who was angry at God.
Looking back, one sees numerous divine providences that led Luther on his spiritual pilgrimage. At one point he was sent to Rome on a mission. There he saw the sacred sights and came away unimpressed. At the end, he asked himself, “What if it’s not true?” (62). He was then encouraged to earn a doctorate so he could teach. He plunged deeper into study. He was eventually sent to Wittenburg to teach at a university being promoted by Frederick. Frederick would become a patron and protector of Luther, though they would never speak to one another in person. It seems clear that had it not been for the political issues plaguing the Holy Roman Emperor, Luther’s reformation would have been short-lived. But though Luther was condemned as a heretic, the German people defended him against his Italian accusers and would not succumb to Rome’s demands. The wars with France and the Turks also prevented the government authorities from forcing the Germans into submission during the early stages of the Protestant movement. Had world events played out slightly differently, history might have been much different.
Luther eventually had a spiritual breakthrough when he realized that God does not demand that sinners make themselves righteous, something clearly impossible for them to do. Rather, God, in his grace, makes people righteous. People could not earn their righteousness through good works. They received God’s salvation through faith. This understanding would become the cornerstone of Luther’s work for the remainder of his life.
Luther’s nailing the Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the Castle Church has been popularized in movies. But the truth, as Metaxas points out, is that Luther did not intend for this action to cause a public stir. Rather, he posted his theses in Latin and intended to invite scholars to meet with him in friendly debate. Ironically, no one came to debate. But word arose of what Luther had declared. The church officials, as Metaxas points out, erred in their initial response to Luther. Had they simply ignored the proposed debate, nothing may have come of it. But the Catholic Church seems to have been bewildered by what to do with Luther, and that may well have saved him. They soon attacked him, garnering attention and sympathy for him from the people at large.
Metaxas leads the reader through the various debates and diets held to confront Luther. He points out that Luther was not trying to start a Protestant movement or a Lutheran Church. He simply wanted to reform the church. He sincerely believed that the church officials would want to see where they had been mistaken and address their issues. It would take a while before Luther realized that the church was not interested in discussing issues but only in getting him to recant his errors. Luther believed truth would prevail, but he was disappointed to learn that many head a vested interest in things remaining as they were, regardless of the truth.
Metaxas does a good job of covering Luther’s life and looking at his writings and thoughts as he progressed through his struggle. Germans came to view Luther as a popular hero, because he argued that the laity should receive communion in both bread and wine, not just in bread as was the custom. Luther also believed people should have access to the scriptures themselves and that the mass should be in the common language so people could understand it. These concepts were revolutionary and ultimately set the masses free to make their own decisions. Luther also defended the common people from the unscrupulous exploitation of the church through the fearmongering and selling of indulgences. Luther dared to educate the masses, something the hierarchy had previously been afraid to do.
Luther was protected in many ways by key friends and supporters, such as Frederick and printers and artists who did much to popularize his work. Luther became frustrated with some of his followers, such as Karlstadt, who eagerly took Luther’s reforms far beyond where Luther felt they should go. Others, such as Thomas Muntzer, led the peasants in a suicidal revolt against the princes. As a result, Luther would write strongly against the peasants and say things he would later regret. Luther also rejected the movement led by Zwingli, who wanted to unite their causes, because Luther believed that in the communion, the bread literally became Christ’s body. Luther took Christ’s words literally when he said, “This is my body,” and he rejected Zwingli’s interpretation that Christ meant, “This represents my body” (370).
Metaxas also relates Luther’s marriage to Katy Von Bora, 14 years his junior. Luther always enjoyed life’s simple pleasures, whether it was marriage, children, or music. He uplifted the common man’s labor as his means of glorifying God. Luther’s was a religion for the people.
Metaxas chronicles Luther’s ongoing health struggles, at times in almost crude detail. It seems that as Luther’s health declined, his suffering could be intense. Metaxas also relates how Luther battled with depression. At times Luther felt he was under attack by Satan because of all he had done to harm Satan’s rule on earth. Luther could strongly react against those who were finding their way just as he had done. Metaxas also points out Luther’s harsh attacks against the Jews. He notes that Hitler would later make much use of Luther’s antisemitic statements.
Overall, I feel that Metaxas wrote a thorough, readable, interesting, informative, and engaging biography of one of history’s most important leaders. I have studied Luther for years, but I learned a number of new things about him through this book. Luther was flawed, as are all people in history, yet Metaxas presents an imperfect hero whom history caught by surprise. Though you might not agree with all of Luther’s actions or conclusions, you cannot help but be inspired by his attempt to remain true to himself, his God, and the Scriptures.
Rating: 4
