Abstract
This chapter tests the meaning and takes the measure of human dignity and human rights in the early Protestant tradition. It starts with German Reformer, Martin Luther's famous little tract, Freedom of a Christian. This tract was something of a Protestant Dignitatis Humanae in its day, a grand theory of human dignity, liberty, equality, and responsibility, ultimately grounded in the sovereignty of God. Finally, the chapter draws out some of the enduring insights of these early Protestant writings, and their pertinence for contemporary discussions of human dignity and human rights. A theory of human dignity that fails to take into account the combined depravity and sanctity of the human person is theologically and politically deficient, if not dangerous. Luther believed that it is only through faith and hope in Christ that persons can ultimately be assured of divine forgiveness and eternal salvation. Keywords: Christ; depravity; human dignity; human rights; Martin Luther; Protestant tradition; sanctity
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