Martin Luther: A Late Medieval Life by Volker Leppin

Abstract

Reviewed by: Martin Luther: A Late Medieval Life by Volker Leppin Sherry Jordon Martin Luther: A Late Medieval Life. By Volker Leppin. Translated by Rhys Bezzant and Karen Roe. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017. 135 pp. This book offers a concise biography of Luther which incorporates the latest scholarship to describe Luther's life and the development of his theology. It is an English translation of a book originally published in German in 2010 with the more striking title: Martin Luther: Vom Mönch zum Feind des Papstes (Martin Luther: From Monk to Enemy of the Pope). The author is professor of church history at the University of Tübingen and continues Heiko Oberman's legacy of placing Luther in his late medieval context. Leppin accomplishes this by describing how Luther's later theological convictions shaped his accounts of earlier events. For example, Leppin discusses how Luther's reflections on his monastic life are viewed through the lens of his later theological understanding of justification by faith. Leppin therefore refers to Luther's earlier writings to describe how monastic life, and especially his relationship with Staupitz, contributed to his theological and spiritual development. In fact, he uses the term "Staupitzianism" to characterize the depth of his influence on Luther and attributes Luther's development of sola gratia to Staupitz's understanding of a compassionate and merciful Christ. Leppin also reads Luther's 1545 description of his Reformation breakthrough with skepticism and argues for a gradual development of his theology grounded in a new approach to scripture. Luther interpreted the text as a direct address to the believer, an approach also found in late medieval sermons influenced by German Dominican mysticism (20–22). For Leppin, Luther's reform is inspired and nurtured by late-medieval piety and mysticism rather than a revolt against it. He describes the supporting role that humanism played in Luther's turn to the Bible (especially Paul) and the early church fathers (particularly Augustine), but Staupitz and late medieval mysticism emerge as the primary influences on Luther's theology. The book is structured chronologically, with most chapters describing Luther's role at specific times in his life: The Son, The Monk, the Young Professor, The Publicist, The Prophet, The [End Page 461] Preacher-Bishop, the Educator, The Outsider, and The Old Professor. The two exceptions are "The Year of Climax, 1525," and a concluding chapter titled "The End of Life." This structure reflects Leppin's conviction that 1525 was a turning point in Luther's life, when he was forced to the margins of reform as the charismatic movement he founded became institutionalized and ecclesiastical leadership transitioned to political authorities (89, 91–92). As a result, Luther's life after 1525 is limited to a few concluding chapters which emphasize the role that Philipp Melanchthon and the German princes played in consolidating reform. Leppin discusses some of the key events and controversies of Luther's life after 1525, but he presents Luther as an outsider who plays only an advisory role in the consolidation of reform. This biography would serve as a scholarly introduction to Luther's life and thought in undergraduate religion classes and congregations, especially if the readers have some previous theological background. Even then, it will be a challenging text and require additional explanation. For example, Leppin points to the centrality of justification in Luther's theology and biblical interpretation, but the term itself is not defined and there is no discussion of how his use of the term differs from that of Paul or the Nominalists. Perhaps because this text is an edited version of a larger biography, there are also some points where the connection between ideas is unclear. For example, Leppin asserts that a crucial moment in Luther's development of the principle of sola fide can be traced to the disputation at Heidelberg in 1518 but never explains how that is the case. The addition of an index would also be helpful. However, this text offers an excellent, concise biography of Luther that situates him in his late medieval context and within the academic and monastic communities that shaped his life and thought. [End Page 462] Sherry Jordon University of...