History of the Reformation in Germany

The traditional interpretation of history influenced by Protestantism regarded »Luther’s deed« as a liberation from the »dark powers« of the papal church and an »end of the Middle Ages«. However, the late Middle Ages were neither »dark«, nor was Luther a luminous figure.

His ecclesiastical effort for reformation is situated in a context of various changes that came into action in political, economic and cultural life around 1500. The fact that the Reformation entrained many people and ultimately lead to a separate church was only made possible because various agents (territorial rulers, municipal authorities, burghers and peasants) were able to »make something of it«. The new mass media of the time (pamphlets, preaching) played a big part in this development.

This title, first published in the Verlag der Weltreligionen imprint under the title History of the Reformation, was revised and updated for this new edition and has been furnished with an epilogue that looks back on the history of Reformation Jubilees and looks ahead at the Luther Year 2017.

»Regarding form and content, Kaufmann’s History of the Reformation is a book qualified to be a classic work of reference for research and academic study, but one that also informs the lay reader in an assured and entertaining way […] A great accomplishment.« Heinz Schilling, Süddeutsche Zeitung