History and heresy in the Lutheran Reformation

Methuen, C. (2022) History and heresy in the Lutheran Reformation. Reformation and Renaissance Review, 24(1), pp. 3-22. (doi: 10.1080/14622459.2022.2065138)

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Abstract

This article explores Lutheran categorisations of heresy by considering definitions of heresy and depictions of heretics. It begins with a discussion of the historiography of the writing of Reformation history, and a survey of the historiography of heresy in the Early Church and in the medieval period. References in Luther’s writings to ‘heresy’ and ‘heretics’ show how Luther responded to his own condemnation as a heretic and reveal his presentation of figures and groups categorised as heretics, illustrating his distinction between heresy and orthodoxy. As Lutheran historiography of the Reformation developed, it focused on genealogies of truth, and the witness of the testes veritatis: those included were generally not those who had been condemned as heretics. Although the emergence of Lutheran theology and self-understanding, combined with inner-Protestant conflicts, gave rise to new categories of orthodoxy and heresy, past heretics were not generally viewed as the forerunners of the Lutheran Reformation.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Heresy, Reformation, Martin Luther, Lutheran historiography, Magdeburg Centuries, testes veritatis.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Methuen, Professor Charlotte
Authors: Methuen, C.
Subjects:B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity
D History General and Old World > DD Germany
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
Journal Name:Reformation and Renaissance Review
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1462-2459
ISSN (Online):1743-1727
Published Online:02 May 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Author
First Published:First published in Reformation and Renaissance Review 24(1): 3-22
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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