Dissertation: Sword of the Spirit, Sword of Iron, and Abstract
You can call UMI Publishers (800-521-0600 x7044) for (UMI no. 3007735), if you want an electronic or hard copy of it ($32). Sword of the Spirit, Sword of Iron includes a handbook study-guide for Luther’s most often published pamphlets 1520-1525 and then argues that Luther did not only face a legalistic ethos, but the canon law in two ecclesiastical court systems. A legal revolution is implied by Luther’s burning the canon law on Dec. 10, 1520 and the relationship of church legislation and proclamation of his time needs more study.
In order to acquire a copy of my dissertation, you need to make contact with Proquest, where you can call 800-521-0600 x7044 or you can go to Proquest online and order UMI No. 3007735:
The cheapest way is to ask for a PDS download, which costs $32.00. (The cost has increased.)
The second cheapest way is to ask them to send you an unbound hard copy: $41.00. It comes 8 1/2″ x 11″. (This cost has increased.)
A small soft-bound edition, about 10 point font, costs $55.00 and the hard bound copy costs $70.00. These are the prices 9/21.2008.
A micro-fiche edition can be acquired. The price was $43.00. Now it must be higher.
PETER D. S. KREY, M.Div., Ph.D.
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, SWORD OF IRON:
WORD OF GOD, SCRIPTURE, GOSPEL, AND LAW,
IN LUTHER=S MOST-OFTEN PUBLISHED PAMPHLETS
1520-1525
This dissertation is a pamphlet study dealing with Martin Luther‘s ideology and theology of the Word. It studies Luther as a pamphlet writer, whose popular sermon pamphlets addressed the laity with affective, performative language. His “preaching in print“ greatly extended the scope of his spontaneous reforming movement.
As a self-representation of Luther, this study is a prerequisite for his reception. By number of editions and language, this study ranks the popularity of almost 70 of Luther‘s publications from 1517-1525.
Part One, containing detailed bibliographical research for 32 of these pamphlets, and for his longer works, Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and for Bondage of the Will, is a helpful handbook for their future study.
Part Two, the thematic section, deals with the interrelationship of the four themes from the title: Word of God, Scripture, Gospel, and Law, tracing it through the thirty most often published pamphlets. Four pamphlets from the year 1520 receive systematic analysis: “Sermon on the Ban,“ i.e., about excommunication; On Good Works, and their spontaneity; “The New Testament, i.e., the Holy Mass;“ and “Freedom of a Christian Person,“ the popular version, which is mostly unknown among English readers.
I argue that Luther carved out an inward realm of Christian freedom that promoted a sense of self and a sense of social agency which stressed spontaneity and freedom against what Luther perceived to be a juridical ethos of the church of his day.
Because of the ideological nature of propaganda pamphlets, this ethos could not be connected with the old archdeaconal and episcopal courts, the temporal jurisdiction of prince-bishops, and papal legislation being challenged by temporal authorities. But, surprisingly, since Luther‘s term “spiritual law“ meant “canon law,“ his hostility can be seen to escalate through these pamphlets until he publicly burns the canon law on December 10th, 1520. He felt it excluded the laity from the spiritual estate, making them feel as if they were not even Christians. His pamphlets called for communion in both kinds, demanding an inclusive Christian estate for the priesthood of all believers. The central concern of this dissertation, however, is not the polemics of these pamphlets, but Luther‘s awe-inspiring religious contribution.
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Dissertation Coordinator: Prof. Christopher Ocker
