Critical Theology from the Heart of Scripture: Challenges of Luther's Exegesis for a Church Reform

Martin Luther is first an foremost an exegete. His interpretation of the Holy Scripture is the most important source of his theological thinking, including his proposals for a Church reform and later on his legitimation of the so-called "reformation". He acts as professor, who gives lectures, as preacher, who discovers the "today" of the biblical message, and as theological commentator and agitator who argues with biblical arguments. His methods connect him with the theology of his time. His highlighting of the biblical message marks his characteristic profile. Thus Martin Luther's exegeses provoke the Catholic Church to discover her own treasure of theology according to the Scriptures.