Concerning Governmental Authority
by Martin Luther · Von weltlicher Obrigkeit, wie weit man ihr Gehorsam schuldig sei
Assigned by 3 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1523
- Era
- Renaissance
- Form
- Political theory
- Language
- German
- Length
- Short · 50 ppunder 120 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendLuther and Calvin on Secular AuthorityCambridge University PressHarro Höpfl's edition in Cambridge Texts, with the parallel Calvin and a clear introduction.
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Written for Duke John of Saxony, this treatise sets out Luther's doctrine of the two kingdoms. God governs the world in two ways: through the gospel, which rules believers inwardly and needs no sword, and through temporal authority, which restrains the wicked by law and force and is a genuine divine office rather than a necessary evil. Luther asks how far a Christian may hold such an office, and how far subjects must obey. Rulers may not command belief or seize books, because the soul is beyond their reach; where they overstep, subjects should refuse to comply but not rebel.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Concerning Governmental Authority are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
