Englischsprachig, Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Europäische Geschichte Mainz, Band 269, 1. Auflage 2023, 285 Seiten, gebunden, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, ISBN: 978-3-525-57350-1, Open Access: https://doi.org/10.13109/9783666573507
In the midst of the exile at the Wartburg and the growing discussion surrounding monastic vows, Luther turned his attention towards a storied and ancient verse. The result would provide both guidance for the present and pave the way for what was to come.
The book of Brandt Klawitter focuses on a verse with a storied history: »Be fruitful and multiply« (Genesis 1:28). Whether in theology or natural law, this much-debated verse’s explosive potential had gone largely dormant prior to the Reformation. By focusing on Luther, the author underlines that for Luther, in context of the debate surrounding monastic vows, the verse would once again take on new life. Fueled by the contributions of his fellow reformers and especially with regard to the normative nature of man’s sexuality, a powerful new understanding of this verse emerged. The new understanding was a synthesis of Luther’s own scriptural understanding coupled with powerful natural-philosophical insight from Melanchthon. When former celibates renounced their vows, the significant and powerful role of the new understanding became apparent. It would also offer normative shape to the contours of Reformation marriage even as it took its place in such important works as the Augsburg Confession and Melanchthon’s Apology.
Author:
Brandt Klawitter is currently associate professor for church history at NLA University College in Bergen, Norway. He is a member of the Verein für Reformationsgeschichte. The book, which is his provided PhD thesis written at MF Norwegian School of Theology, has also been completed during a fellowship for doctoral students funded by the The Leibniz Institute of European History (IEG).
Contact:
Friederike Lierheimer, +49 (0)6131 3930076, lierheimer@ieg-mainz.de
Dr. Juliane Schwoch, +49 (0)6131 3939343, schwoch@ieg-mainz.de
