Luther and Islam

Martin Luther wrote directly about Islam on only six occasions during his life and yet references to Muslims and Islam run throughout all of his work. Islam is ever present in the background. He saw “The Turk,” his common term for a Muslim, as a threat to the family, the state, and the church. And yet, Luther praised Muslims for their piety and prayer life. What lessons can we learn about Christian-Muslim relations from Luther today?

Named after the world-renowned Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection held at Pitts Theology Library, Kessler Conversations (30-45 mins) offer opportunities for the general public to learn about the events in Europe the 16th century and to consider what they may tell us about the issues facing our communities. Conversations in a given academic semester focus on a single contemporary theme and trace it back to the Reformers. These conversations are free and open to the public, but registration is required. The theme of the Fall 2021 conversations is “Luther and the Other.”