"Luther’s View of the Councils in the Light of His Hermeneutic" by David M. Wanner
 

Date of Award

8-1973

Degree Type

Master's Essay - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Theology

Abstract

The renaissance of Luther studies, which began early this century with Karl Holl, has not been confined to Lutheran theologians exclusively. Luther's contribution has been acknowledged by Catholic theologians as well, and has been the wellspring of much contemporary inquiry. The antagonists of 450 years have, at last, resumed a dialogue which had hardly begun that many years ago, and is already bearing fruit in terms of ecumenism and of the Church's better understanding of itself. Catholic theology, especially since Pope John XXIII, has felt free to raise Reformation issues and to admit the seriousness of Luther's contentions.

The Roman Catholic has found it difficult in the past to make an impartial judgment of Martin Luther and the Reformation. Impartiality requires that one enter into the spirit of Luther's thoughts. Because of the Catholic "siege mentality" this has been impossible. Luther was, until very recently, presented by Catholic teachers in such a way as to discredit him as an authentic witness to the Gospel and a man of faith. Judgments passed on Luther by Eck, Cochlaeus, Bellarmine, Dollinger (Luther the criminal), Jansen, Denifle (nothing godly in Luther), and Grisar (Luther the psychopath), made serious dialogue impossible. Major Catholic scholars have forced a reexamination of Reformation questions and therefore of Luther himself. They have found him a true homo religiosus.

Comments

An Essay Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies through the Department of Theology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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