Book Review - Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas

Martin Luther: the man who rediscovered God and changed the world
by Eric Metaxas
Viking 2017

Reviewed by Diane Busch

This is a comprehensive biography, maybe containing more details than one really needs to know, but interesting nonetheless and very informative. If the large size of the book seems daunting, listen to the audiobook which is read by the author and is performed wonderfully.

The author begins by dispelling some common myths surrounding Martin Luther. And then goes on to chronicle the life and ministry of this passionate follower of Christ. He was a student of the Bible, and felt compelled to speak out against practices of "the church” that deviated from scripture. His passion and love for God gave him the courage to write and speak with much risk to his life. He was humble and didn’t like for the people who agreed with him to call themselves Lutherans. 

Luther spent many years translating the Bible into German. In his forties, he married a former nun, Kate, who was 14 years his junior.

There is much to be admired in the groundbreaking work to which Luther dedicated himself. So much so, that centuries later a black minister in Georgia named Michael King, decided to change his name to Martin Luther King as he was a leader in the civil rights movement. He later changed his son’s name to Martin Luther King, Jr. and encouraged him to also become active in the movement.