Theology of religions in Martin Luther

Abstract

This chapter is a perspective on the theology of religions of the Reformation, and in particular from Martin Luther. During the year of the 500th celebration of the Reformation, it is appropriate to pay special attention to a Reformed perspective on the theology of religions. It seems as if, with the dawn of the Reformation, missionary work was no longer considered a priority for the church. This is evident from the lack of encouragement by the Reformers to carry out mission work and even the hostile attitude towards non-Christian religions. As to the lack of mission work, there are, however, scholars indicating the opposite. The definition of mission work during the Reformation period was quite different to what today is regarded as a definition of mission work. As the Reformers also focused their energy on reforming the church there was not enough energy left to put into mission work as well. Martin Luther serves as an example of the attitude Reformers exhibited towards non-Christian religions. For Luther, Judaism and Islam were evil as their followers lived according to the law, trying to justify themselves before God through performing good deeds. Luther’s apparent positive attitude towards Judaism made way for a later hostile attitude towards Jews.