The canon of western political theory has long misrepresented Luther's political thought, mistaking it as a forerunner of the 'freedom of conscience' or the 'separation of church and state, ' or an ancestor of modern absolutism and even German totalitarianism. These misleading interpretations neglect Luther's central point: temporal government is a gift from God, worthy of honor and respect, independent yet complementary to the purpose and mission of the Church. Spanning Luther's career as a reformer, the writings in this anthology will demonstrate his resolve to restore temporal government to its proper place of honor and divine purpose.