Luther and Learning

Abstract

In this paper Kittelson takes a close look at the high view of learning of Luther, who thought that “Learning, wisdom, and writers must rule the world… If God out of his wrath would take away from the world all the learned, people would become beasts and wild animals. Then their would be no wisdom, religion, or law, but only robbery, stealing, murder, and the doing of all kinds of evil…”

Kittelson will show how this view is true for Luther by first looking at Luther’s general views of learning and education. After that, he will look at the role that learning and education played in the Reformation. Finally, he will reflect what Luther might think of the learning and education in our time.