Luther: Conservative or Revolutionary?
Was Martin Luther the author of a 'Moderate Reformation'? Or was his progeny to prove a 'Radical Reformation'? An article by Michael Mullett.
Put the title question another way: was Martin Luther an innovator? No major historical figure breaks entirely new ground, all great men and women build on foundations laid by predecessors. This was certainly true of Martin Luther, Even in his most radical offensive – against the papal church – Luther was anticipated by medieval precursors. In England, John Wyclif (circa 1328-84) identified the papacy as 'antichrist'. In Bohemia (roughly, modern Czechoslovakia) John Hus (1373-1415) decried the materialism of the Catholic church and met a martyr's death. Both Hus and Wyclif anticipated Luther in looking towards a national reformation of the church, whether in England or Bohemia or, with Luther, Germany. Luther reminds us particularly of John Hus; with his peasant background and great courage; with his call for the holy communion to be given out in the forms of bread and wine; in these ways Luther put contemporaries in mind of the earlier figure of Hus.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
