Katharina and Martin Luther BONUS episode

Our monthly book club has returned, and we are discussing Michelle DeRusha's book "Katharina and Martin Luther: the Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk."

Our monthly book club has returned, and we are discussing Michelle DeRusha's book "Katharina and Martin Luther: the Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk."

If you can't tell, Gretchen and Katie enjoyed this book immensely, and found this book to be a page turner. 

This is a story of the rubber meeting the road, when it comes to the theology of Martin Luther. Katharina or "Katie" as he called her, was in the first group of nuns that ranaway from their cloister, because of the reformation writings he was putting out at the time--most likely his writings stating that anyone who took monastic vows under compultion are free to live their lives in the freedom of the Christian.

Martin and Katharina were not in love when they got married, and neither one was the other's first choice. But love did grow in their marriage, and they had children, lost children, and took a bunch of extra children in.

This author takes a lot of time to explain the cultural and historical context of Martin and Katharina's marriage, which makes this story even more radical, heartwarming, and sometimes dangerous.

Go check out the other podcasts on the 1517 podcast network!

Support the work of 1517.

Subscribe to The Craft

Subscribe to The Craft

Subscribe (it’s free!) in your favorite podcast app.

More From 1517