Luther and the Hungry Poor: Gathered Fragments by Samuel Torvend

Samuel Torvends original and important reconstruction of the emergence of Luthers and the early Reformation churchs response to the poor gathers fragments from across Luthers early writings. He uncovers a striking counter-image to the usual portrait of a quietist orientation that left the world to deal with its own problems. Instead, he finds that Luthers concern emerged early in his career, centered around hunger and the hungry poor, and was deeply rooted in his encounter with the Bible and with the sacramental character of the local church.