Roland Bainton (1894–1984)

In a thoroughly engaging biography of Luther, Bainton plants the reformer firmly in his own political and theological landscape: the final decades of the medieval age, and the age of the Renaissance and of nationalism. He traces Luther's thought by way of the man's own writings and those of his allies, his observers, and his enemies. Ample discussion of the personal and theological contemporaries supplements without distracting too much from Luther himself. The picture is complex; the man is show more variously polemic and deferential, sometimes unreservedly jocular, so much that occasional glimpses at his tenderness are startling. It is one of a titan of church history: a passionate theologian and a pastor, a musician and a prolific scholar, a father; above all, an intensely and painfully devotional Christian. show less

Over 40 years ago one of my professors recommended that I read Roland Bainton. I think he was meant Bainton's work on Luther but this book about Erasmus was worth it too. Erasmus was right in the middle of the Renaissance and the Reformation. His ideas were far ahead of the most of the educated world. He was for toleration, peace and openness at a time when heretics were still burned at the stake and political enemies of kings were beheaded. Erasmus stood in the middle, friends with Henry show more VIII and Thomas More and several Popes. His work on the New Testament paved the way for scholars to look at it critically. His humor and satire still make me laugh nearly 500 years later. I think Bainton has really done justice to Erasmus. Other writers accused Erasmus of having a weak character because he avoided conflict and in some cases refused to take a stand. Some in the reformed party thought he was weak because he would not leave the Catholic Church. Others in the Catholic party claimed that Erasmus failed the Church because he would not condemn the reformers and had many reformation ideas himself. I have read several books about Erasmus and I would like to say that Erasmus of Christendom is one of the better ones. show less

Martin Luther was one of the most influential men in Western Civilization over the past half-millennium. Most people today do not know enough history to understand someone like Luther, who was really a medieval theologian. Bainton does a wonderful job of placing Luther in his own time, educating the reader on the religious and political landscape of the time. Without this context, Luther no doubt would appear bizarre to the modern reader. Bainton praises Luther for his bravery in standing show more for what he believed to be true, and for his long-held hope that the Pope would change course if only he knew about the abuses in the church. Bainton takes Luther to task for his indefensible positions regarding persecution of Jews and Anabaptists, but makes sure the reader understands Luther's full position, which was not as simple as hatred and prejudice. The modern person who believes that a straight line can be drawn from Luther to the Holocaust is most misinformed. The most moving portions of the book are certainly the earlier chapters which detail Luther's personal spiritual struggle, which will find resonance in any Christian's heart. show less

Martin Luther is one of the key figures in history. His stature as the leader of the Reformation has almost elevated him above the practical concerns of ordinary men. Bainton has done excellent work in revealing Luther as a man. Luther was a firmly medieval man with all of the struggles and doubts of others of his age. Luther's contribution was his dogged determination to be rightly related to God. This led him to study the Bible, particularly Psalms and Romans, which taught him that famous show more refrain "the just shall live by faith." Here Luther understood that the work of Christ alone brought salvation and faith was the only fit response to appropriate that work. It led him to eventually reject so many of the pillars of the Catholic Church and gave him the confidence to continue on the path the can be summed up by the Five Solas. Those who followed Luther sometimes went farther than he did in his changes (sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad). To the best of his ability, Luther pondered all of the many questions concerning the sacraments, the church, the state, the family, etc. according to the guidance of God found in His word. As he aged, he gained a family, he struggled through depression and disease, and he watched as Germany changed. In the end, he took his stand upon the revealed truth of God's word.

Bainton has balanced Luther the man and Luther the theologian well. His book is absorbing and insightful and well worth the read. show less