Includes bibliographical references and index

1. Angel of the Lord or Damned Heretic: martin luther in the trends of the times -- 2. Set on his way: luther's life to 1519 -- 3. The formation of the theologian: the medieval roots of luther's though -- 4. In via vittembergensi: luther develops his hermaneutic -- 5. The emergence of the reformer: luther's decisive turn to reform -- 6. Fast bound in satan's chains I lay: luthers view of the fallen human creature -- 7. Christ Jesus holds the field victorious: luther's understanding of the person of Christ , the atonement and justification -- 8. One little word can slay him: God's power and presence in the oral, written, and sacramental forms of his world.

Martin Luther's theology presented a paradigmatic shift in defining God and humanity, refuting the foundations of Aristotelian anthropology with a new emphasis on the 'Revealed God' and his unconditioned grace. Robert Kolb traces the development of Luther's thinking within the context of late medieval theology.