Who wants when I want something? - Luther's theology

During the seminar, we will immerse ourselves in Luther's world of thought, understand the foundations of Lutheran theology and reflect on how we ourselves deal with the question of free will in our own theology. We will also reflect on what view of man we hold, the nature of the relationship between God and man, and what role biblical texts play for us in this context.

The seminar is 7.5 ECTS:

• 48 lecture hours
• 50 hour literature study and preparation
• 35 hours brief essay
• 87 hours final paper

September to November 2025

For anyone who wants to be able to explain and understand Luther's theology, his understanding of the will and conception of man, and relate it to their own context and theology.

•  Alister E. McGrath, Reformation Thought. An Introduction, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 42021, 1-32; 35-58; 76-80; 91-114.
• Maarten Luther, 'Verhandeling over de christelijke vrijheid, 1520', in: Markus Matthias (red.): Maarten Luther. Bd. II. Soteriologie. De christelijke vrijheid in het geloof in Christus, Eindhoven 2018, 160-225 (we will only read the Dutch text).
• Maarten Luther, 'Disputatie over de krachten en de wil van mens zonder gnade, 1516', in: Markus Matthias (red.): Maarten Luther. Bd. I. Theologische antropologie. De mens voor God, Eindhoven 2017, 18-37 (we will only read the Dutch text).
• Maarten Luther, 'Disputatie over de mens, 1536', in: Markus Matthias (red.): Maarten Luther. Bd. I. Theologische antropologie. De mens voor God, Eindhoven 2017, 678-689 (we will only read the Dutch text).
• Maarten Luther, 'Over kiezen in gebondenheid, 1525', in: Markus Matthias (red.): Maarten Luther. Bd. I. Theologische antropologie. De mens voor God, Eindhoven 2017, 246-677 (we will only read the Dutch text).
• Mary Gaebler, 'Luther on the Self', in: Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics 22 (2002), 115-132.

The seminar concludes with an essay and paper. There will be an oral discussion based on the paper as part of the exam.