Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation  By  cover art

Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation

By: Phillip Cary,The Great Courses
Narrated by: Phillip Cary
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $33.90

Buy for $33.90

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

How did one man - a humble monk and Bible professor - spark a religious rebellion that changed the course of history? What made Martin Luther's theology so explosive in 16th-century Europe? How did this late-medieval man launch the Protestant Reformation and help create the modern world? And how should we think of him: hero or heretic, rebel or tormented soul? Find out the answer to these questions and more in this series of 24 engaging lectures.

You'll approach Martin Luther as someone who is so interesting to study precisely because he is so controversial. This is an opportunity to understand why Luther's thinking had such a volatile impact on his and our times and why his life continues to be a subject of vigorous religious and historical debate.

Professor Cary explores in depth Luther's subtle, challenging, and sometimes disturbing theology. After examining the genesis of Luther's great theological breakthrough - the doctrine of justification by faith alone - Professor Cary traces the full evolution of Luther's thought, from his early and frightening concept of justification through self-hatred to his later and equally unsettling notion of unfree will and predestination.

You will gain insight into this inspiring religious thinker who presented the Christian gospel as a message of comfort, joy, and freedom; an exceptional writer who did for German what Dante did for Italian; and a prominent theological and intellectual leader who appealed to ordinary Christians by sharing their most cherished values: marriage and everyday family values.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    205
  • 4 Stars
    67
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    186
  • 4 Stars
    52
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    176
  • 4 Stars
    56
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

What did you love best about Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation?

I really loved this audible. Learned so much about christanity and feel like I sat down and learned alot about Martin Luther from someone who knows him well. Never bored and I get bored easy.

What about Professor Phillip Cary’s performance did you like?

Perfomance was great! Very informative and Phillip Cary has alot of emotion involved in the story of Martin Luther. Very good

Any additional comments?

Recommend to all - Christians, Lutherans and non believers.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Painful but necessary; like eating your brocolli.

Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Phillip Cary?

After listening to two of Prof. Cary's courses, I respect and appreciate his style, enthusiasm and knowledge of the material, though I cringe at his frequent usage of seemingly unconscious prompts of, "Right?" after making a point. Most speakers will let slip an occasional 'um,' 'uh,' or in this case, "Right?" but Cary uses the third early and often, which for me at least, proved detrimental to the course as a whole. For this reason alone, I don't think I could endure another of his courses.

What other book might you compare Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation to and why?

Not surprisingly, this course reminded me of the type of things I heard in Cary's "Augustine," course, which was often difficult to listen to as well because of all the, "we're unworthy...predestination...sin...heretic...Satan...hellfire and damnation types of messages from both Augustine and Luther. I feel both courses were similar to those classic books which so many find excruciating to read, yet will (at least one day) admit he or she is better for having done so. Cary's 'right?' usage aside, my primary lack of enthusiasm for each course is more "the message" than the messenger.

What three words best describe Professor Phillip Cary’s voice?

Passionate, occasionally playful

What else would you have wanted to know about The Great Courses’s life?

I don't understand this question. Whose life? Luther's or The Great Courses? If Luther, I would want to know how he could approach his life's mission with the idea of rooting out corruption in a corrupted institution (which was a good thing) but then end up spewing so much self-loathing and castigation of others to the extent that the 3rd Reich enthusiastically embraced his opinions and suggestions on how the Jews and their synagogues should be treated. What went wrong, Martin? What part of Jesus' teachings were you following here?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great lecture! Excellent overview and review.

if you studying or just surveying the Reformation there's a wealth of information for any level of understanding presented in clear concise easy to follow lecture.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely amazing!

As a Lutheran this was very educational. Its well delivered and explained. A very thought provoking set of lectures. Thank you!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

good sketch of Luther but don't stop here

the narration was good and energetic. he presents a fair portrait of Luther's good and bad qualities. He contrasts Luther against other reformers in doctrine, time, and place. The professor's allergy to the doctrine of election and predestination inhibited his ability to represent it fairly. instead he presents a straw man. nevertheless it's still a very helpful listen in setting up the thumbnail sketch of Luther and the reformation, particularly in preparation for later reading.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • HC
  • 03-06-24

Professor did a great job

Professor did a great job explaining each topic. He was very clear, concise, and thorough in his explanations. I was intrigued by all the explanations provided in each lecture. He kept the lecture purely theological without any bias or attacks against the Catholic faith. People of any faith would enjoy it. You wouldn’t understand without some knowledge of the scriptures or background in Catholicism though. Overall, I was very impressed because I always thought Martin Luther was some evil guy trying to take down the church. Nope.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Lectures!

Love Dr. Cary's lectures and highly recommend this lecture series. This series kept my focus and was very useful in my teaching and everyday life. Again, I highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great lecture

I’ve listened to many lectures, but this is probably one of the best ones I’ve heard so far

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great historical book

The performance was excellent but I did not expect so much of the author’s opinion. I prefer a historical perspective without editorializing but maybe I misunderstood the intention. It did hold my interest.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Very informative, interesting, and well presented. I had no trouble continuing to listen. Interesting from a religious and a historical perspective.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!