About this Course

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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.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

5/5 (16 Ratings)

Christine Helmer

Arthur E. Andersen Teaching and Research Professor, Professor of Religious Studies and German

Department of Religious Studies

7,939 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(1,907 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Luther, the Bible, and Antijudaism - Part 1

3 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 28 min), 9 readings, 3 quizzes

8 videos

What is this Course About?3m

Learning Objectives1m

How to Talk About Religion1m

Introduction to Luther and the Bible4m

Luther’s Translation of the Bible5m

Christ in the Bible4m

Law and Gospel3m

Christ in the Old Testament3m

9 readings

Course Contributors10m

Copyright Permissions & Works Cited10m

Lecture 1 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 2 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 3 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 4 Guided Reading10m

Lecture 4 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 5 Guided Reading10m

Lecture 5 Supplemental Reading10m

3 practice exercises

Lecture 230m

Lecture 330m

Lecture 530m

Week

2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Luther, the Bible, and Antijudaism - Part 2

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 24 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Luther and Anti-Judaism4m

Luther, the Old Testament, and Anti-Judaism3m

Lutheran Theologians and Antisemitism in Nazi Germany4m

The Bible and Its Literal Sense4m

Luther and Spinoza on Genesis4m

Spinoza and the Tractatus3m

6 readings

Lecture 6 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 7 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 8 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 9 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 10 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 11 Supplemental Reading10m

2 practice exercises

Lecture 730m

Lecture 1030m

Week

3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Freedom: Self and Community - Part 1

4 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 19 min), 8 readings, 4 quizzes

5 videos

Luther the Urban Legend3m

Key Moments in Luther's Life4m

Luther and Freedom: What's in a Name?3m

Freedom and the Individual3m

Christ and Freedom3m

8 readings

Lecture 12 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 13 Supplemental Movie10m

Lecture 13 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 14 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 15 Guided Reading10m

Lecture 15 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 16 Guided Reading10m

Lecture 16 Supplemental Reading10m

4 practice exercises

Lecture 1230m

Lecture 1330m

Lecture 1430m

Lecture 1630m

Week

4

Week 4

5 hours to complete

Freedom: Self and Community - Part 2

5 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 26 min), 7 readings, 6 quizzes

6 videos

Kant and Freedom4m

Kant and the Bible3m

Kant and Morality4m

Martin Luther King, Jr. Theologian of Freedom4m

King and the Inner and Outer Distinction4m

Freedom and Love4m

7 readings

Lecture 17 Supplemental Reading10m

Lesson 18 Guided Reading10m

Lecture 18 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 19 Guided Reading10m

Lecture 20 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 21 Supplemental Reading10m

Lecture 22 Supplemental Reading10m

5 practice exercises

Lecture 1730m

Lecture 1830m

Lecture 1930m

Lecture 2030m

Lecture 2230m

Reviews

4.6

33 reviews

5 stars
76.84%
4 stars
14.73%
3 stars
3.15%
2 stars
3.15%
1 star
2.10%

TOP REVIEWS FROM LUTHER AND THE WEST

by MMJul 25, 2017

I loved this class. I learned a lot, became a better person, and have cited it a couple times in other classes.

by RBJan 18, 2021

Excellent course covering the complete historical, political, and spiritual development of Martin Luther and his influence on Western intellectual thought.

by JQJan 24, 2017

Fun and interesting course. I was exposed to info all new to me. Thanks.

by HSNov 2, 2017

This is a well-planned course that I learned a whole lot from. I was curious about Luther and church history to begin with, and this course satisfied that curiosity.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
How do I sign up to take this course for free?
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.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Luther and the West

Luther and the West

About this Course