Martin Luther’s Christology in Contemporary Interpretations

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present authoritative contemporary interpretations of Luther’s Christology in recognized syntheses of his theology, both by acclaimed authors (Lohse, Bayer, Barth) and by many authors (Luther Handbuch; Oxford Handbook to Martin Luther Theology). Analysis of individual approaches allowed the work to present the interpretation of Luther’s Christological thought by each author. This, in turn, allowed for the identification of common elements among the five images presented in the conclusions. These include: the unity of Christ’s person and deed, the sources of Luther’s thinking on the two natures in Christ, the use of a broad tradition to describe reconciliation in Christ, and the key importance of such concepts as joyful exchange and iustitia aliena (imputatio).