Martin Luther and the Council of Trent: The Battle over Scripture and the Doctrine of Justification

This book explores the differences between Martin Luther and the Council of Trent regarding the doctrine of justification through biblical hermeneutics, highlighting the key texts and interpretive tendencies that led to their conflict and the church's significant division in the West. It is a valuable resource for scholars and students in Catholic and Lutheran biblical hermeneutics, Catholic-Lutheran dialogue, ecumenical studies, and church history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Seeking to understand the doctrine of justification through biblical hermeneutics, this book delves into the differences between Martin Luther and the Council of Trent, ultimately leading to a significant division within the Western church. As Catholics and Lutherans engage in ongoing dialogue about their shared faith and differing confessions, there is a pressing need for a discerning study of the ways in which the Bible functioned in the Reformations central theological clash: the understanding and import of the doctrine of justification.

Peter Folans incisive analysis in this volume fulfills this need. Through a meticulous reading of the most significant texts in the debates, he demonstrates how Martin Luther and the Council of Trent relied upon scripture to arrive at their respective formulations of the doctrine. Despite their apparent divergent conclusions about the human person's salvation in Christ, Folans shows how these seemingly conflicting viewpoints can be grounded in the same sacred book.

This study begins by examining the key texts produced by Luther and his allies on justification. It then turns to their Catholic respondents, whose work would ultimately inform the Council of Trent's decree on the doctrine. By comparing precisely which texts both parties relied upon to articulate and defend their positions, Folans highlights how infrequently they used the same biblical passages and, even when they did, how distinct their interpretive tendencies were.

This book is a valuable addition to the libraries of scholars and students in Catholic and Lutheran biblical hermeneutics, Catholic-Lutheran dialogue, ecumenical studies, and church history. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the doctrine of justification, shedding light on the historical and theological complexities that shaped its development. Folans' analysis offers valuable insights into the ways in which different interpretive traditions have approached the same biblical texts, contributing to a deeper understanding of the ongoing dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268203290