Book Review of Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas


Review of Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric Metaxas
In 2017 Lutheran churches around the globe celebrated the 500th anniversary of the posting of Martin Luther’s 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg chapel that ignited one of the epoch moments in world history, the Reformation.   Understandably there was a plethora of books and other material that came out not-coincidentally with that celebration.  One such volume was a biography of Martin Luther himself authored by the noted radio and TV personality, Eric Metaxas, entitled Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World.  The “rediscovered God” part is certainly debatable, but without a doubt the man and the movement he fostered certainly changed the world.  In 2000 Time magazine recognized Luther as one of the most consequential figures of the last millennium.  That in itself is reason enough for anyone to become acquainted with the life and times of this 16th century reformer, and Metaxas’ tome will do that and even more.
“Just the facts, ma’am,” was the classic remark by the character of Joe Friday in the 1950s TV detective drama, Dragnet.   Facts are essential to history.  Afterall, we want the truth, the good and the bad.  How else can we realistically learn from history?  But facts without narrative can be very, very dry and conducive to slumber.  Metaxas gives us the facts about Luther, but he does it in an engaging narrative that keeps the pages turning.  For example, he begins not with Luther’s birth or family history, but with an anecdote about the father of Martin Luther King, Jr. The senior King was so taken with the witness of the reformer during a trip to Germany that Michael King changed his name, and that of his son, to Martin Luther King.  That I didn’t know.  From there Metaxas goes on to deliver a very engrossing account of Luther’s life and times.
But he doesn’t stop there.  The author includes an epilogue that raises some intriguing perplexities about Luther and his legacy for our times.  All of which are worthy of ongoing reflection.
If I have one “bone to pick” with Metaxas’ presentation of Luther, it is the same I have with most of Luther’s biographers.  Luther was not a Protestant reformer.  He was a Catholic reformer.   And the movement that subsequently, much to his consternation, bore his name is a reforming movement within and for the whole church catholic.  Starting with that premise one comes to a better understanding of Luther, and for that matter, Lutheranism.
Reviewed by Richard Dick, Library Assistant, O’Kelly Memorial Library






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