Book Review 2 HIEU566
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Liberty University *
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HIEU 566
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Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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Uploaded by cgholl76
The book Rebel in the Ranks
by Brad S. Gregory is a book that reviews Martin Luther’s unintentional reformation that was sparked by his views on the Catholic Church and Christianity.
Gregory begins his book by highlighting Luther’s own struggles with religion and how he decided to deal with them. This comes after of course, a lengthy introduction, that provides some
insight on how the Reformation changed religion from something that was a part of every aspect of life, to something that was a more private and a separate part of life, based on a person’s desires. Gregory tags this separation as secularization, which he insists became a problem all in its own.
1
Adding further in his book, that secularization did not mean religion was taken away – or even that is disappeared. He explained that it simply meant religion became something that was separate from public life and more a part of a person’s preference. The result was that religion did not have the influence on politics, law, education, morality, and other parts of culture
as it had been.
2
Gregory reminds his reader that Luther, and other reformers did not intend on such a large change in what religion meant in society, they simply felt the Church needed reform.
In an effort to allow his reader to better understand the Reformation, Gregory began by describing life in Europe in 1517, pre-Reformation. He describes it as one that contained “widespread sinfulness”.
3
Although the book focuses on Luther’s stance on the Catholic churches need for reformation and the need for Christians to live their lives as God would want them, Gregory also includes others who began to voice their own concerns before Luther. Mentioning Thomas of Kempen’s 15
th
century work, The Imitation of Christ, Thomas encouraged all to “desire to advance in virtue, love, discipline, dwell in repentance, exercise self-
1
Gregory, Brad S. Rebel in the Ranks
. 2017. 9.
2
Ibid, 217.
3
Ibid, 31.
denial, and patiently bear all trials for the love of Christ”.
4
Others like St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Catherine of Siena also felt people needed to live better Christian lives, and made their thoughts known as early as the 12
th
century. Gregory continues to paint a picture of life before Luther by covering others, such as Giles of Viterbo and Erasmus. Providing this insight into the European world as it was before Luther gives the reader a better understanding of what Luther faced, and what he changed. As Luther faced his internal struggles, he felt he needed to address certain practices of the Catholic church. Indulgences was a large issue for him, as he believed one could not “buy” his repentance. Luther also challenged the practice of baptism of infants, citing infants don’t have faith, therefore can’t be saved by baptism. Baptism ought only to be for adults, who have faith and choose to be saved by baptism. Sacraments was also a concern for Luther, as it was practiced. Gregory includes Desiderius Erasmus as a central reformer as well. Erasmus published Novum Instrumentum in 1516, which was the New Testament, written in both Greek text and his Latin translation.
5
Gregory explains Erasmus believed people needed to learn Gods word by reading it.
Not only did he feel lay people would benefit, but church leadership as well. What resulted added to the reformation and divisions, as people learned to read and interpreted God’s word in their own way. It created more individual beliefs, desires, and practices.
Gregory also includes Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt as a reformer that further passes on Luther’s teachings in regard to sacraments. He also challenged practices, which further emboldened Christians already influenced by Luther.
6
4
Gregory, Brad S., Rebel in the Ranks,
31.
5
Ibid, 24.
6
Ibid, 92.
Luther not only felt the Catholic church was corrupt, but he stood behind the idea that scripture alone was truth, and man should not be governed by anything other than God. Further, Luther felt man should be focused on how his life is lived, as intended by God. Gregory held a common theme throughout his book that highlights the idea that the church didn’t teach bad things, but man failed to follow those teachings on a consistent basis.
7
Sola Scriptura was a main argument of Luther’s, and Gregory reminds his reader that although Luther wanted scripture to be studied and followed, the result was a Reformation that resulted in Protestant pluralism.
8
As explained by Gregory, many people clung to their faith, as taught to them, because it was their ticket to eternal life. This meant religious diversity was not something that was regarded in the 16
th
century. As many protestants learned the bible could be read and understood in different ways, it liberated many from the Catholic church, resulting in differing opinions regarding sacraments, political authorities, and of course the church. Christians felt hierarchical society was unjust and the Peasant’s War ensued. Further division within Christianity resulted in other religious wars, that Gregory added were comprised of “more than religious” issues, such as the Thirty Years’ War and Eighty Years’ War.
9
Although the reformation resulted in religious freedom, it also resulted in the freedom to not be religious. Gregory felt the result of Luther’s teachings is a world that is “so very free and so very far away” from what was intended.
10
This book was an easy read, as Gregory told the story of Reformation in a way that was engaging
and interesting. Gregory’s focus on Reformation theology was helpful, especially for those who may not have a good understanding of it as they began to read. 7
Gregory, Brad S., Rebel in the Ranks,
170.
8
Ibid, 139.
9
Ibid, 210.
10
Ibid, 269.
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