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

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Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

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Approx. 21 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.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Approx. 21 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

8,049 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(1,910 ratings)

Week1

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?3mLearning Objectives1mHow to Talk About Religion1mIntroduction to Luther and the Bible4mLuther’s Translation of the Bible5mChrist in the Bible4mLaw and Gospel3mChrist in the Old Testament3m

9 readings

Course Contributors10mCopyright Permissions & Works Cited10mLecture 1 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 2 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 3 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 4 Guided Reading10mLecture 4 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 5 Guided Reading10mLecture 5 Supplemental Reading10m

3 practice exercises

Lecture 230mLecture 330mLecture 530m

Week2

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-Judaism4mLuther, the Old Testament, and Anti-Judaism3mLutheran Theologians and Antisemitism in Nazi Germany4mThe Bible and Its Literal Sense4mLuther and Spinoza on Genesis4mSpinoza and the Tractatus3m

6 readings

Lecture 6 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 7 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 8 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 9 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 10 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 11 Supplemental Reading10m

2 practice exercises

Lecture 730mLecture 1030m

Week3

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 Legend3mKey Moments in Luther's Life4mLuther and Freedom: What's in a Name?3mFreedom and the Individual3mChrist and Freedom3m

8 readings

Lecture 12 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 13 Supplemental Movie10mLecture 13 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 14 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 15 Guided Reading10mLecture 15 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 16 Guided Reading10mLecture 16 Supplemental Reading10m

4 practice exercises

Lecture 1230mLecture 1330mLecture 1430mLecture 1630m

Week4

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 Freedom4mKant and the Bible3mKant and Morality4mMartin Luther King, Jr. Theologian of Freedom4mKing and the Inner and Outer Distinction4mFreedom and Love4m

7 readings

Lecture 17 Supplemental Reading10mLesson 18 Guided Reading10mLecture 18 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 19 Guided Reading10mLecture 20 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 21 Supplemental Reading10mLecture 22 Supplemental Reading10m

5 practice exercises

Lecture 1730mLecture 1830mLecture 1930mLecture 2030mLecture 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 RBJan 18, 2021

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

by EMay 9, 2022

An excellent course! I found the material interesting and informative. The professor was keen and easy to understand. I loved this course.

by JSNov 13, 2016

Very interesting class. Very well presented. Enjoyed it and got good information.

by GMMar 26, 2017

I really enjoyed the course, and think it is very well thought out and paced. I appreciate the access to additional reading materials.

View all reviews

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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