Date of Award
Spring 1993
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Theology
First Advisor
Hagen, Kenneth G.
Second Advisor
Cizewski, Wanda
Third Advisor
Golitzin, Alexander G.
Abstract
"Allegory is not worth serious scholarship." In essence this is what I was taught in my biblical studies or, at least, thought for decades. Luther studies had all but completely eliminated the concept of allegory, I was told, ostensibly as a result of Luther's reforming literalism. I discovered in my own study of Luther, however, a depth and breadth of understanding and use of allegory which I had never encountered nor which I had heard expounded in the classroom. What follows is a careful study of Luther's understanding and use of allegory in one instance--his work with Paul's epistle to the Galatians--based on the premise that Luther did not completely reject or abandon his medieval monastic roots...