Luther and the West

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Luther and the West

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About this course: In this course we will discuss the history of some ideas that have been hugely influential in the modern west and that were taken out to the rest of the world. The discussion centers on an extraordinary and historically important figure, a sixteenth century German man named Martin Luther. Luther is recognized today as the originator of many of the most significant ideas that continue to affect and shape who we as modern people are and how we see the world and ourselves for better and for worse. In the first section, we will explore why Luther thought the Bible was the most important volume for everyone to have and read. Included here will be a careful consideration of…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: In this course we will discuss the history of some ideas that have been hugely influential in the modern west and that were taken out to the rest of the world. The discussion centers on an extraordinary and historically important figure, a sixteenth century German man named Martin Luther. Luther is recognized today as the originator of many of the most significant ideas that continue to affect and shape who we as modern people are and how we see the world and ourselves for better and for worse. In the first section, we will explore why Luther thought the Bible was the most important volume for everyone to have and read. Included here will be a careful consideration of Luther's anti-Judaism, which contributed to western antisemitism and some of the greatest horrors of the twentieth century. In the second section, we will talk about the idea of freedom and how Luther's understanding of freedom in Christ affected the way modern thinkers understood what it means to be human in community. Important in this section is the consequential contradiction between freedom and slavery in western thought and their co-existence in western societies. The third section will be all about the many complicated relations between religion and politics. NOTE: Students wishing to sign up for free access to all instructional course content should click on the "Sign-In" button in the upper right hand corner. Those who wish to take the course and complete a certificate that requires payment, please click the Enroll button on the left side of this page.

Created by:  Northwestern University
  • Taught by:  Christine Helmer, Arthur E. Andersen Teaching and Research Professor, Professor of Religious Studies and German

    Department of Religious Studies
Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.5 stars Average User Rating 4.5See what learners said Coursework

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Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Luther, the Bible, and Antijudaism - Part 1



8 videos, 9 readings, 3 practice quizzes expand


  1. Video: What is this Course About?
  2. Video: Learning Objectives
  3. Video: How to Talk About Religion
  4. Reading: Course Contributors
  5. Reading: Copyright Permissions & Works Cited
  6. Video: Introduction to Luther and the Bible
  7. Reading: Lecture 1 Supplemental Reading
  8. Video: Luther’s Translation of the Bible
  9. Practice Quiz: Lecture 2
  10. Reading: Lecture 2 Supplemental Reading
  11. Video: Christ in the Bible
  12. Practice Quiz: Lecture 3
  13. Reading: Lecture 3 Supplemental Reading
  14. Video: Law and Gospel
  15. Reading: Lecture 4 Guided Reading
  16. Reading: Lecture 4 Supplemental Reading
  17. Video: Christ in the Old Testament
  18. Practice Quiz: Lecture 5
  19. Reading: Lecture 5 Guided Reading
  20. Reading: Lecture 5 Supplemental Reading


WEEK 2


Luther, the Bible, and Antijudaism - Part 2



6 videos, 6 readings, 2 practice quizzes expand


  1. Video: Luther and Anti-Judaism
  2. Reading: Lecture 6 Supplemental Reading
  3. Video: Luther, the Old Testament, and Anti-Judaism
  4. Practice Quiz: Lecture 7
  5. Reading: Lecture 7 Supplemental Reading
  6. Video: Lutheran Theologians and Antisemitism in Nazi Germany
  7. Reading: Lecture 8 Supplemental Reading
  8. Video: The Bible and Its Literal Sense
  9. Reading: Lecture 9 Supplemental Reading
  10. Video: Luther and Spinoza on Genesis
  11. Practice Quiz: Lecture 10
  12. Reading: Lecture 10 Supplemental Reading
  13. Video: Spinoza and the Tractatus
  14. Reading: Lecture 11 Supplemental Reading


WEEK 3


Freedom: Self and Community - Part 1



5 videos, 8 readings, 4 practice quizzes expand


  1. Video: Luther the Urban Legend
  2. Practice Quiz: Lecture 12
  3. Reading: Lecture 12 Supplemental Reading
  4. Video: Key Moments in Luther's Life
  5. Practice Quiz: Lecture 13
  6. Reading: Lecture 13 Supplemental Movie
  7. Reading: Lecture 13 Supplemental Reading
  8. Video: Luther and Freedom: What's in a Name?
  9. Practice Quiz: Lecture 14
  10. Reading: Lecture 14 Supplemental Reading
  11. Video: Freedom and the Individual
  12. Reading: Lecture 15 Guided Reading
  13. Reading: Lecture 15 Supplemental Reading
  14. Video: Christ and Freedom
  15. Practice Quiz: Lecture 16
  16. Reading: Lecture 16 Guided Reading
  17. Reading: Lecture 16 Supplemental Reading


WEEK 4


Freedom: Self and Community - Part 2



6 videos, 7 readings, 5 practice quizzes expand


  1. Video: Kant and Freedom
  2. Practice Quiz: Lecture 17
  3. Reading: Lecture 17 Supplemental Reading
  4. Video: Kant and the Bible
  5. Practice Quiz: Lecture 18
  6. Reading: Lesson 18 Guided Reading
  7. Reading: Lecture 18 Supplemental Reading
  8. Video: Kant and Morality
  9. Practice Quiz: Lecture 19
  10. Reading: Lecture 19 Guided Reading
  11. Video: Martin Luther King, Jr. Theologian of Freedom
  12. Practice Quiz: Lecture 20
  13. Reading: Lecture 20 Supplemental Reading
  14. Video: King and the Inner and Outer Distinction
  15. Reading: Lecture 21 Supplemental Reading
  16. Video: Freedom and Love
  17. Practice Quiz: Lecture 22
  18. Reading: Lecture 22 Supplemental Reading

Graded: Reflection on Freedom

WEEK 5


Religion and Politics: The Two Swords - Part 1



5 videos, 5 readings, 3 practice quizzes expand


  1. Video: Introduction to Modernity
  2. Reading: Lecture 23 Supplemental Reading
  3. Video: Luther on Vocation and Community
  4. Practice Quiz: Lecture 24
  5. Reading: Lecture 24 Supplemental Reading
  6. Video: Christendom and the Holy Roman Empire
  7. Reading: Lecture 25 Supplemental Reading
  8. Video: The Two Swords
  9. Practice Quiz: Lecture 26
  10. Reading: Lecture 26: Supplemental Reading
  11. Video: Luther and Church Reform
  12. Practice Quiz: Lecture 27
  13. Reading: Lecture 27: Supplemental Reading


WEEK 6


Religion and Politics: The Two Swords - Part 2



6 videos, 8 readings, 5 practice quizzes expand


  1. Video: Money in the World
  2. Practice Quiz: Lecture 28
  3. Reading: Lecture 28 Guided Reading
  4. Video: Money in the Church
  5. Practice Quiz: Lecture 29
  6. Reading: Lecture 29 Supplemental Reading
  7. Video: Luther’s Reform of Marriage
  8. Practice Quiz: Lecture 30
  9. Reading: Lecture 30 Guided Reading
  10. Reading: Lecture 30 Supplemental Reading
  11. Video: Luther’s Reform of Sex
  12. Practice Quiz: Lecture 31
  13. Video: Art
  14. Reading: Lecture 32 Guided Reflection
  15. Reading: Lecture 32 Supplemental Reading
  16. Video: Music
  17. Reading: Lecture 33 Supplemental Reading
  18. Practice Quiz: Lecture 33
  19. Reading: Thank You!
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