Political Theology in Martin Luther

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.