Jarrett Carty

Divine Kingdom, Holy Order: the Political Writings of Martin Luther Jarrett Carty

A textbook of Luther's political writings presented with careful attention to historical context, peer reveiwed by top scholars in the fields of political science and Reformation studies.



The canon of western political theory has long misrepresented Luther's political thought, mistaking it as a forerunner of the 'freedom of conscience' or the 'separation of church and state,' or an ancestor of modern absolutism and even German totalitarianism. These misleading interpretations neglect Luther's central point: temporal government is a gift from God, worthy of honor and respect, independent yet complementary to the purpose and mission of the Church. Spanning Luther's career as a reformer, the writings in this anthology will demonstrate his resolve to restore temporal government to its proper place of honor and divine purpose.