Luther on Women
A Sourcebook

This collection brings together a wide selection of Martin Luther's extensive writings on women.

Susan C. Karant-Nunn (Edited and translated by), Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks (Edited and translated by)

9780521658843, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 March 2003

256 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.4 cm, 0.35 kg

'… drawn from a variety of sources … a wide-ranging collection which demonstrates the complexity of Luther's thinking about women … a good aid to understanding Luther's views of women, both in theory and in practice, which goes some way to filling a notable research gap.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Martin Luther contributed extensively to the sixteenth century 'debate about women' with his writings on women and related subjects such as marriage, the family and sexuality. In this volume, Merry Wiesner-Hanks and Susan Karant-Nunn bring together a vast selection of these works, translating many into English for the first time. They include sermons, lectures, pamphlets, polemic writings, letters and some informal 'table talk' recorded by his followers. The book is arranged into chapters on Biblical women, marriage, sexuality, childbirth and witchcraft, as well as on Luther's relations with his wife and other contemporary women. The editors, both internationally-known scholars on Reformation and women, provide a general introduction to each chapter, and Luther's own colourful words fuel both sides of the debate about whether the Protestant Reformation was beneficial or detrimental to women. This collection will make a wide range of Luther's works accessible to English-speaking scholars, students and general readers.

1. Introduction
2. Eve and the nature of women
3. Mary
4. Biblical women other than Eve and Mary
5. Marriage and the family
6. Sexuality
7. Childbirth
8. Katharina von Bora, Luther's wife
9. Luther and other contemporary women
10. Witchcraft and magic
Further reading
Index.

Subject Areas: Gender studies: women [JFSJ1], History of ideas [JFCX], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], History of religion [HRAX], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]