Ink Against the Devil ― Luther and His Opponents

Sixteenth-century Reformation Europe was a tumultuous time during which many defining ideas of the modern era were formulated. The technological advancement augured by the Gutenberg press allowed the unprecedented circulation of ideas among a growing legion of literate Europeans.

The writings of radical reformer Martin Luther were perhaps the most influential of his time. His opposition to the universal Roman Catholic Church fundamentally challenged the elites and their institutions. Along the way, Luther encountered fierce opposition not only from the Church but from the political powers of the day and from competing religious ideologies.Ink Against the Devil distills the major impulses from these debates and shows how they resonate to this day.

This book will appeal to both lay and professional scholars of the Reformation and its major players with prose that is accessible and free of jargon. Loewen directly addresses the debates between Luther and his many foes, including humanists like Erasmus and the sectarian opponents found among contemporary Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Of particular interest will be a focus on anti-Semitism throughout Luther’s published writings and sermons. No other book on the subject combines its wide scope with such a natural, narrative presentation.