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This research examines the role of human agency in Martin Luther’s theology, particularly in his work Freedom of a Christian.

May 8, 2026

Luther’s De libertate christiana , Johannes Tauler, and the Problem of Human Agency: A Comparative Perspective

Puntos clave

This research examines the role of human agency in Martin Luther’s theology, particularly in his work Freedom of a Christian.
Analysis of Martin Luther's and Johannes Tauler's texts on mysticism and theology.
Comparative evaluation of human agency concepts in both Luther's and Tauler's writings.
Luther's work retains a degree of human agency despite rejecting external good works.
The relationship between God and the believer in Luther's theology displays bidirectionality, indicating complexity.
Tauler's mysticism is shown to significantly influence Luther while also being simplified in Luther's framework.

Resumen

Abstract Recent studies have emphasized the centrality of late medieval mysticism to Martin Luther’s theology of faith. Building upon such research, I argue that Luther’s Freedom of a Christian (1520) preserves a characteristic tension within medieval mysticism: the cohabitation of human agency alongside divine operation. Whereas external agency (good works) is rejected, Luther reintroduces internal human agency within his theology of faith. Contrary to standard views of Lutheran doctrine, Freedom retains some degree of bidirectionality in the relationship between God and the believer. A comparison with Johannes Tauler highlights both Freedom’s indebtedness to medieval mysticism and its radical simplification of the mystical framework.

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