Luthers Theology of the Cross: Martin Luthers Theological Breakthrough

Upon its publication in 1985, Luther′s Theology of the Cross received widespread acclaim as one of the most innovative and important works on Luther scholarship in recent memory. In this re–written and revised edition of his classic text, Alister McGrath draws on new sources and advances in our understanding of late medieval intellectual, cultural and religious life to offer a fresh understanding of this pivotal moment in Protestant history. Martin Luther′s early "theological breakthrough" is widely considered to be of fundamental importance to the history of the Reformation and development of Protestantism. McGrath reshapes and hones his initial argument to take into account advances in our understanding of the late medieval world–view and scholastic theology, and Luther′s own theology of justification (including the so–called ′Finnish school′). Many of these developments have not yet been incorporated into Luther scholarship. The result is a second edition which will be as innovative and ground–breaking as the first. This new edition is certain to find a wide readership amongst all those interested in Martin Luther, the intellectual history of the late Middle Ages and sixteenth century, and those interested in the Reformation and the development of Protestantism. English–speaking readers will especially appreciate its extensive use and assessment of recent German–language scholarship, especially of currents in the late Middle Ages.

Acknowledgments. Abbreviations. Introduction. Part One: The Background: Luther as a Late Medieval Theologian, 1509–1514. 1 The Dawn of the Reformation at Wittenberg. The late medieval context. The concept of "justification" in Christian thought. The reform of the church and the renewal of spirituality. The Ninety–Five Theses. The importance of the present study. 2 Headwaters of the Reformation at Wittenberg: Humanism, Nominalism, and the Augustinian Tradition. The via moderna and via antiqua at Wittenberg. A new school of thought? The via Gregorii at Wittenberg. Luther and the Augustinian Order. Humanism: The studia humanitatis at Wittenberg. Nominalism: The via moderna at Wittenberg. The Augustinian tradition: A modern Augustinian school at Wittenberg? 3 Luther as a Late Medieval Theologian. The Dictata super Psalterium. Luther′s biblical hermeneutic, 1513–1514. The debate over the date of Luther′s theological breakthrough. Part Two: The Breakthrough: Luther in Transition, 1514–1519. 4 Mira et nova diffinitio iustitiae: Luther′s Discovery of the Righteousness of God. Luther′s difficulties in the light of late medieval theology. The theological pactum and existential anxiety. "The righteousness of God" and "the righteousness of faith". Luther′s exposition of Psalms 70 (71) and 71 (72). Luther′s break with the soteriology of the via moderna (1515). The nature and significance of Luther′s critique of Aristotle. The nature and date of Luther′s theological breakthrough. 5 Crux sola est nostra theologia: The Emergence of the Theology of the Cross, 1514–1519. The Heidelberg Disputation (1518) and the "theology of the cross". The leading themes of Luther′s "theology of the cross". The "righteousness of God" and the "theology of the cross". The "theology of the cross" as a critique of analogical language about God. The "crucified and hidden God". Faith, doubt, and Anfechtung. Luther′s theological development, 1509–1519: A summary. Select Bibliography. Index.

Alister E. McGrath is Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion & Culture, and Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at King′s College, London. A world–acclaimed theologian and intellectual historian, McGrath is the author of numerous books including The Intellectual Origins of the European Reformation 2nd edition (2003) and Reformation Thought: An Introduction 3rd edition (1999).