Luther and the Law

In this Article, the author considers the characteristics of feudal Germany during the period of Luther\u27s lifetime and, drawing on these observations, discusses Luther\u27s philosophy regarding law and legal institutions. The author details three basic themes that underlie this element of Luther\u27s thought: first, Luther\u27s rejection of the right of retaliation in favor of objective judicial processes; second, Luther\u27s assertion of the institutional independence of secular government from religious oversight and control but not from religious criticism; and finally, Luther\u27s vision of a natural law that focused primarily upon the mutual interdependence of all humans. In conclusion, the author notes the relevancy of such thinking to the problems of our current age