Political Theology in Martin Luther

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Wanderley Pereira da Rosa

Abstract

The text Political Theology in Martin Luther intends to present the Lutheran political ethics based on the main treatises of the German reformer in this respect. We will also rely on scholars and historians of the Lutheran thought, who interpret that in different points of view, in order to support our position. In Martin Luther's writings we shall first identify a clear attack on papal authority and the Roman Curia, and their pretensions to universal sovereignty over all instances of life. It will be demonstrated that Martin Luther departs from this harsh attack on papal authority and an uncompromising defense of obedience to secular authority in his earliest years, to a position distinct from that. This first positioning of Luther was a result of his interpretation of the Bible, especially New Testament texts such as Romans 13 and Matthew 22:21. In his more mature period, Luther begins to make a defense of peaceful resistance towards the unjust authority and hence, to armed resistance against the tyrant, when this tyrant threatens the Christian faith.

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How to Cite
ROSA, Wanderley Pereira da. Political Theology in Martin Luther. HORIZONTE - Journal of Studies in Theology and Religious Sciences, Belo Horizonte, v. 14, n. 44, p. 1210–1229, 2016. DOI: 10.5752/P.2175-5841.2016v14n44p1210. Disponível em: https://periodicos.pucminas.br/horizonte/article/view/P.2175-5841.2016v14n44p1210. Acesso em: 12 aug. 2025.
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Artigos/Articles: Dossiê/Dossier
Author Biography

Wanderley Pereira da Rosa, Faculdade Unida de Vitória

Doutor em Teologia pela PUC/RJ (2015) e Mestre em Teologia Prática pela Escola Superior de Teologia de São Leopoldo/RS (2010). Possui graduação em Filosofia pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (2002) e graduação em Teologia - Seminário Presbiteriano Rev. José Manoel da Conceição (1991). É Diretor-Geral da Faculdade Unida de Vitória, onde leciona na Graduação e Pós-Graduação as Disciplina História do Cristianismo, História do Cristianismo na América Latina, Ecumenismo e Diálogo Inter-religioso e Religião e Esfera Pública. Lidera desde 2012 o Grupo de Pesquisa sobre Religião e Sociedade Brasileira com linhas de pesquisa em Protestantismo Brasileiro e Religião e Sociedade. Membro da SOTER - Sociedade de Teologia e Ciências das Religião é também o Editor Responsável pelas publicações da Editora Unida.