Ink Against the Devil: Luther and His Opponents

Sixteenth-century Reformation Europe was a tumultuous time during which many defining ideas of the modern era were formulated. The technological advancement augured by the Gutenberg press allowed the unprecedented circulation of ideas among a growing legion of literate Europeans.

The writings of radical reformer Martin Luther were perhaps most influential of all. His opposition to the universal Roman Catholic Church fundamentally challenged the elites and their institutions. Along the way, Luther was opposed by the Church, the political powers of the day, and competing religious ideologies. Ink Against the Devil distills the major impulses from these debates that continue to resonate to this day.

This book will appeal to both lay and professional scholars of the Reformation and its major players with prose that is accessible and free of jargon. Loewen directly addresses the debates between Luther and his many foes, including Humanists like Erasmus and the sectarian opponents found among contemporary Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Of particular interest will be a focus on anti-semitism throughout Luther’s published writings and sermons. There may be no other examples of this book’s scope in such a natural, narrative presentation.Chapter 1 In Search of a Gracious God

Harry Loewen

Luther's struggle coming to terms with “Justification by faith.”
Chapter 2 Luther’s Early Red-Hot Pen

Harry Loewen

A discussion of Luther’s early writings against the Church.
Chapter 3 Dissenting Groups and Why They Opposed Luther

Harry Loewen
Chapter 4 The Enemies Within: Luther and the Wittenberg Radicals

Harry Loewen

Opposition to Luther’s ideas from collegial quarters (those within his Church circle.)
Chapter 5 “The Soft-Living Flesh of Wittenberg”: Luther, Muentzer, and the Revolutionaries

Harry Loewen

Luther vs radical “Anabaptist” Thomas Muentzer.
Chapter 6 “I Commanded Them to be Killed”: Luther and the Peasants

Harry Loewen

Luther on the Peasant Revolt.
Chapter 7 Two Riders of the Human Will: Luther Opposes Erasmus and Humanism

Harry Loewen

Luther vs. Erasmus and the Humanists
Chapter 8 Luther Knew and Opposed the Evangelical Anabaptists

Harry Loewen

Luther vs. the evangelical Anabaptists.
Chapter 9 “I Told You So”: Luther and the Anabaptist Kingdom in Muenster

Harry Loewen

Luther vs. the Muenster Anabaptists.
Chapter 10 Much Ado About Spirit and Matter: Luther and the Spiritualists

Harry Loewen

Luther vs. the Spiritualists.
Chapter 11 Three in One and One in Three: Luther Opposes the Rationalists

Harry Loewen

Luther vs. the rationalists and other anti-Trinitarians.
Chapter 12 To Believe What You Like? Luther and His Opponents on Tolerance and Religious Liberty

Harry Loewen

Luther’s thinking on religious tolerance and religious liberty.
Chapter 13 “Drive Them Out of the Land”: Luther on the Jews

Harry Loewen

Luther against the Jews.
Chapter 14 The Cross and the Crescent: Luther Opposes Islam

Harry Loewen

Luther vs. Islam.
Chapter 15 “An Institution of the Devil”: Luther’s Last Battle Against the Papacy

Harry Loewen

Luther's final volley against the Papacy.
Chapter 16 Conclusion and Evaluation

Harry Loewen
Epilogue

Harry Loewen

An appeal to contemporary religious tolerance.