Most biographers of Luther are faced with a choicefocus on Luthers life or focus on his thought. The choice, though real, is false. Luthers thought was inextricably bound up with his life. In this short, engaging volume, Hans Schwarz succeeds in blending the twocreating a volume that introduces Luthers thought in the context of his life story.

The book meets the need for a clear and concise introduction to the life and teachings of the great church reformer, Martin Luther. After a brief overview of his life, the book devotes chapters to Luthers thoughts on key areas of the Christian faith and life, including the knowledge of God, church and sacraments, the Scriptures, marriage and parenthood, and vocation. The author incorporates quotations from Luthers own writings to show how Luthers insights have relevance for all Christians today.

With questions for reflection and discussion, the book can be used as a study resource for individuals, church groups, or college and seminary classes. For this revised edition, Schwarz has thoroughly reviewed the text and added important new sections on Luther and music, Luther and the economy, Luther and the Jews, and more.