Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk

“Two Pigtails on the Pillow” - If that chapter title from a book about the great Reformer, Martin Luther, doesn’t intrigue you, what would? Actually, the book is about much more than Martin Luther; it’s about the woman behind the man: Katharina Luther, the runaway nun he married.Michelle DeRusha’s new book, Katharina and Martin: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk , is a fascinating look at life and marriage in the 1500’s, yet deeply pertinent to us today because of the influence of Luther on Protestantism and its doctrines concerning marriage. DeRusha highlights their relationship and the effects marriage had on him as a person and his work as a Reformer. Luther, a former monk and already leading in the Reformation when he got married, ultimately affected, perhaps even defined, the Protestant view of marriage we hold today.Like most of us, what Luther said and wrote about marriage and the inner dynamics of his actual marriage, were sometimes at odds. I found that comforting. If Luther was sometimes not practicing what he preached about marriage, well…that means on-the-job-training is probably to be expected for the rest of us.DeRusha has delved deeply into the scholarly works written by and about Luther, but in her book, she writes for all of us. It reads like a work of fiction, plot and character driven, compelling the reader to keep turning the pages. It’s a story, first and foremost. I found myself having to remind myself that this was a work of non-fiction. Katharina and Martin are alive to the reader. Through their letters, we see them working through frustrations with people in their community, their worries for each other, their grief after the death of their daughter, and even their questioning of their faith in that most difficult time.Luther wasn’t in love when he married Katharina; and most probably, she wasn’t either, but over time, the relationship grew to be one of endearing care, great mutual respect, and playful banter. In the end, it had all the hallmarks of a happy, love-filled marriage. Luther said, “Marriage does not always run smoothly; it is a chancy thing. One has to commit oneself to it.” He did and she did, and several children and years later, these two changed the institution for all of us.As a runaway nun, marriage was an absolute must for a woman of this time as she had no legal status or means of supporting herself. Luther had no intentions of marriage but tried to help Katharina and the other runaway nuns find suitable mates. At one point, he encourages her to marry another man who she finds unappealing and she flatly refuses; but suggests she would marry Luther! That kind of spirit and strength was exactly the kind of woman a man like Martin Luther would need to run his home, rear his children, and entertain and host his countless houseguests - up to fifty at a time!DeRusha’s book is full of surprises, candor and humor. A worthy read and a fun read all at the same time.

Michelle DeRusha has written an informative and fascinating book on the personal life of Katharina and Martin Luther. There were so many tidbits of information about them in this book. Such as the fact that Katharina escaped from the Cistercian Convent. Can you imagine being a rebel nun who chose to escape in those days?Michelle's storyline maintains a fast pace drawing the reader in from beginning to end. Her style of writing is informative yet inviting and friendly. It begs the reader to ask,"What's next"!Although there is little direct historical information about Katharina and Martin's personal life, Michelle brings Katharina to life as a real woman and equal partner to Martin. She threads together Martin and Katharina's devotion to each other and God.The font , spacing and layout selected for this book makes it a comfortable , "easy on the eyes" read.Anyone interested in biographies or the reformation period of history or is just wanting to read an historical account of two great lives, this is the book for you!

Loved this book more than I thought I would. DeRusha's style of writing makes Katharina and Luther's story come to life. Even though it's peppered with footnotes, it reads like fiction. If you're like me and didn't realize (or remember) there was a Mrs. Luther, you'll find her story very interesting. She was a women's libber before there was women's lib. And Martin's views on women (and marriage) were very progressive for his time. Be careful - you won't want to stop reading once you start.

Excellent book! “Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk” gave a vivid picture of 2 individuals whose path led to each other and to changing the course of history. It shares personal details of their lives, childhoods separated from family and risking capture, the escape to new lives. They married as virtual strangers but over time they grew to love and admire each other.The book was extremely well written and researched. When reading you get a glimpse of what life was like at the time, and how Katharina and Martin called on their faith and each other to share their progressive thoughts.This is a very intimate view of someone who hundreds of years later is a household name. It presents Martin Luther as very human, with doubts and fears, but with courage and the support of a loving relationship, gave Christians another way to live in faith.

I am not usually one to read nonfiction. I do it occasionally when I hear a compelling recommendation. I still had my doubts about this one, but was so surprised to find myself having trouble putting it down. The fascinating details of how this "renegade monk and runaway nun" came together for a marriage that changed so much about the institution as we know it today kept the pages turning in my hands. And the portrait of this amazingly strong woman and her impact on one of the most important figures in the Christian world is inspirational. This book is really well written and well worth the read.

I have not expected it but this book got me hooked and I raced to the end. When we read about Martin Luther, the focus is usually on his theology, the pivotal role he played in Reformation and the debates he engaged in which were seminal. This leaves little to dwell into Katharina. This book is intriguing to me as it provides the cultural background against which Luther was writing and an account on how Luther lived out his theology in his life. The cultural background is illuminating. Although the truth is the same and one, its exposition will be dependent of the cultural context,which dictates what misconceptions and errors need to correct. The descriptions of the monastic life and vows, the superstitions and prejudice that common people carried, the social hierarchy and the medieval life all helps illuminate Luther's writings and make us see by contrast how revolutionary Luther was in his theology as well as his practice. This book has helped me see how painstakingly Luther was in details when he laid out the outworking of his theology in crucial aspects of life to instruct people (or define) what it looked like to live out Christ. Following on from his big theology was reform of the church, the reform of worship, the closing down of monasteries, the estate of marriage, and even the funeral format and so on. His theology permeated profoundly in all aspects of life. He was someone who was honest about the truth and brave to follow where the truth took him with all its implications.I certainly did not know that we owe so much to Luther on the modern day's wedding traditions, and I was not aware how it was before Luther carried out the marriage makeoverin turn how revolutionary Luther's ideas were. I think God had his plan and his grace in getting Luther to marry as what he understood in his theology he got to gain in experiential knowledge. It is very heart warming to read about how he related to Katharina - someone of his calibre, standing and significance. It must be such a challenge for him at the beginning to live out what he believed about marriage and then to see how God's blessing was being poured out in the domestic harmony of the household on the outworking of the complementary roles of husband and wife. God gave Luther a wife, who was "the perfect match" for Luther. Only God can give us the perfect match, which does not depend on us as individuals but on him in working in our marriage.At this time and age, when the institution of marriage between one man and one woman is under fierce attack, the marriage of Martin and Katharina Luther through the illumination of this book holds out a light even now, 500 years later, as an example of God's intention for our marriage. As this model is increasingly lost in the current generation, the book is very valuable in retelling their marriage to us and preserves a godly endeavour in marriage to aspire us to a higher order than what the society is offering us or persuading us to believe. Besides, they held parenting as "the noblest, most precious work", and Luther, being a trail-blazer, declared more than once that fathers should not be mocked for participating in the holy work of parenting, no matter how menial the task. (p.229) His message, his life is so needed to be heard today when our society seems to undervalue stay-home mums.As to the significance of the Luthers' marriage, the author sums it up well: Luther's commitment to Katharina began as a test of his charity and a practical expression of his theology. Not only was Katharina instrumental in helping Luther live out his theology, but in loving her, he came to understand how self-sacrifice, empathy, compassion, and love flowed freely out of his love for God. But even beyond that, Katharina was living proof that Luther's theology and beliefs weren't just intellectual, theoretical exercises, but real, attainable reforms grounded in human respect and love.... Together they changed the institution of marriage and left an enduring legacy as Christian leaders. (p.272-273)I highly commend this book to you - it is heart warming, easy to read, and complements wonderfully the heavy Reformation theology you may be reading on its 500th anniversary.

A very well written expose of a couple shrouded in mystery. One criticism if I have any at all. In the 4 years between the death of one family member and then another...(not to give any spoilers... it was the 1500’s there was death everywhere) the narrative seemed a little rushed. However, it is a very personal biography that is as filled with grief as it is with humour. I heartily recommend this book to all!

Like the context and background research done by the author. Could have felt the scholarship went into the work. The only reason it is four star may not be due to any fault of the authors but if only we could have access to the full thoughts of how the couple feel toward one another, in their own words. Overall, this is a recommended reading.

Really enjoyed reading this book. Lots of insight into life at the time of the reformation and give a very different take on Luther. Two such interesting characters.

A fascinating study of a uniquely arranged marriage that survived many trials and challenges in a revolutionary time. An inspiration.