Robert Kolb

Martyrs have long played a vital role in Christian life, thought, theology, and piety. Robert Kolb, an acknowledged authority on the history of the Lutheran Reformation in Germany, offers a thorough and illuminating analysis of the way German Lutherans changed the perceptions of martyrdom and sainthood. Protestant reformers professed that providential power over daily human life was reserved for God alone, and that mediation with God is provided by Jesus Christ alone. Martyrs and saints could no longer be worshiped or act as intercessors. But this did not mean their absence from the faith and piety of sixteenth-century Protestants. Instead, holy people were regarded as those who confessed the word and in that confession demonstrated and advertised the power of God. This book arose in response to some vexing questions: Why is the first of a long and distinguished line of Protestant martyrologists, Ludwig Rabus, the least noted? Why would he, a German Lutheran, have composed a book of martyrs? Kolb suggests that the answers are complex--they involve differences in historical and political situations and in specific dogmatic emphases of each reformation. Kolb's diligent research led him well beyond Rabus's martyrbook. His work encompasses material from the writings and biographies of Luther and Melanchthon, Wittenberg chronicles and calendars, and hymns and songs. The analysis of this material makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the Lutheran Reformation and of the changing roles of saints and martyrs in the history of Christianity.

Martyrs have long played a vital role in Christian life, thought, theology, and piety. Robert Kolb, an acknowledged authority on the history of the Lutheran Reformation in Germany, offers a thorough and illuminating analysis of the way German Lutherans changed the perceptions of martyrdom and sainthood. Protestant reformers professed that providential power over daily human life was reserved for God alone, and that mediation with God is provided by Jesus Christ alone. Martyrs and saints could no longer be worshiped or act as intercessors. But this did not mean their absence from the faith and piety of sixteenth-century Protestants. Instead, holy people were regarded as those who confessed the word and in that confession demonstrated and advertised the power of God. This book arose in response to some vexing questions: Why is the first of a long and distinguished line of Protestant martyrologists, Ludwig Rabus, the least noted? Why would he, a German Lutheran, have composed a book of martyrs? Kolb suggests that the answers are complex--they involve differences in historical and political situations and in specific dogmatic emphases of each reformation. Kolb's diligent research led him well beyond Rabus's martyrbook. His work encompasses material from the writings and biographies of Luther and Melanchthon, Wittenberg chronicles and calendars, and hymns and songs. The analysis of this material makes a significant contribution to the understanding of the Lutheran Reformation and of the changing roles of saints and martyrs in the history of Christianity.

Inspired by Antonio Truyol Y Serra's classic work, Doctrines sur le fondement du Droit des gens, this book offers a fully revised and updated examination and discussion of the various doctrines forming the foundations of international law. It offers an accessible insight into the theoretical background of the various legal constructions that characterize the relationship between both international and national legal orders.Written in a clear style, the book's structured chapters provide a comprehensive analysis of the various foundations of obligation in international law: natural law, positivism and sociologism. Through this study, Robert Kolb illustrates how international law has been conceived and shaped over time in relation to its evolving historical and legal-political environment. Split into seven substantive parts, this text is one of the most detailed expositions of the doctrines of international law in the English language to date.Astute and engaging, Robert Kolb's take on Truyol y Serra's Doctrines sur le fondement du Droit des gens will appeal to students and scholars of international law, as well as to practitioners interested in gaining a further grounding with regards to the basis of obligation in international law.

There is a great degree of controversy on the proper complexion and role of general principles of law in the international legal order. Opinions range from total rejection of some types of principles to the most enthusiastic endorsement of principles as the necessary oil for the many complex wheels of the legal order. In this book one of the leading public lawyers of his generation explores the concept of good faith and its role in international law. Rather than offer a detailed, comprehensive examination, Kolb aims to map the true points of gravity of the principle of good faith in the international legal order. In so doing, he illustrates how the various legal institutions who operate in the sphere of public international law allow the principle of good faith to unfold.

This book analyzes Luther’s treatise On Christian Freedom and its revolutionary re-definition of what it means to be Christian as one freed by Christ from sin, the accusation of God’s law, and death in order to be bound or bonded to the neighbor. Robert Kolb puts the treatise in its historical context, tracing its key ideas as they developed out of his medieval background, and as they continued to mature throughout his life. A contextual analysis of the text accompanies an overview of how this treatise was used or ignored throughout subsequent centuries, including the more extensive impact it has had in the last half century.

The law on the use of force in relation to the maintenance of international peace remains one of the most important areas of international law and international relations to date. Rather than simply provide another factual account of the law in this area, this detailed and analytical book seeks to explore its normative aspects.Rooted in public international law, the book provides insight into the historical evolution and sociological environment of this particular branch of law. The competences and practice of the UN and of regional organizations in maintaining peace are examined before the focus is shifted to the inter-State level, the main non-use of force rule and its claimed or recognized exceptions. Robert Kolb analyses each of these rules separately, before concluding with insightful reflections on the current state-of-play and considerations for future developments.Inquiring, yet practical, this book will appeal to students and scholars studying both international law and international relations, particularly with regard to peace and conflict. It will also be of interest to government officials working in the field.

This book seeks to analyse various aspects of international law, the link being how they structure and marshal the different forces in the international legal order. It takes the following approaches to the matter. First, an attempt is made to determine the fundamental characteristics of international law, the forces that delineate and permeate its applications. Secondly, the multiple relations between law and policy are analysed. Politics are a highly relevant factor in the implementation of every legal order (and also a threat to it); this is all the more true in international law, where the two forces, law and politics, have significant links. Thirdly, the discussion focuses on a series of fundamental socio-legal notions: the common good, justice, legal security, reciprocity (plus equality and proportionality), liberty, ethics and social morality, and reason.

Inspired by Antonio Truyol Y Serra's classic work, Doctrines sur le fondement du Droit des gens, this book offers a fully revised and updated examination and discussion of the various doctrines forming the foundations of international law. It offers an accessible insight into the theoretical background of the various legal constructions that characterize the relationship between both international and national legal orders.Written in a clear style, the book's structured chapters provide a comprehensive analysis of the various foundations of obligation in international law: natural law, positivism and sociologism. Through this study, Robert Kolb illustrates how international law has been conceived and shaped over time in relation to its evolving historical and legal-political environment. Split into seven substantive parts, this text is one of the most detailed expositions of the doctrines of international law in the English language to date.Astute and engaging, Robert Kolb's take on Truyol y Serra's Doctrines sur le fondement du Droit des gens will appeal to students and scholars of international law, as well as to practitioners interested in gaining a further grounding with regards to the basis of obligation in international law.

This highly readable book examines the law of State responsibility, presenting it as a fundamental aspect of public international law. Covering the key aspects of the topic, it combines a clear overview with use of specific case studies in order to provide a deeper understanding.The concise chapters are organized into two parts. Part One provides a structural overview of the law, with up-to-date coverage of practice and case law reflecting the key international law reports. Part Two offers specific case studies, asking probing questions in order to explore how the international legal order deals with breaches of its norms and what rights and faculties are accorded to the aggrieved State. With an approach that is legally analytical yet also practical, this accessible book will provide valuable insights to both scholars and practitioners of international law. Its clear structure and guidance on the latest practice and case law will also make it an ideal choice for students.

The law on the use of force in relation to the maintenance of international peace remains one of the most important areas of international law and international relations to date. Rather than simply provide another factual account of the law in this area, this detailed and analytical book seeks to explore its normative aspects.Rooted in public international law, the book provides insight into the historical evolution and sociological environment of this particular branch of law. The competences and practice of the UN and of regional organizations in maintaining peace are examined before the focus is shifted to the inter-State level, the main non-use of force rule and its claimed or recognized exceptions. Robert Kolb analyses each of these rules separately, before concluding with insightful reflections on the current state-of-play and considerations for future developments.Inquiring, yet practical, this book will appeal to students and scholars studying both international law and international relations, particularly with regard to peace and conflict. It will also be of interest to government officials working in the field.

In conversations about the Reformation, the name Martin Luther towers above all others. And rightly so. His work, vision, and writings set Christianity on a course of events that would forever change the way that most believers live and understand their faith. And yet, the Reformation was far more than Martin Luther. Around Luther were hundreds of people - fellow teachers and priests, politicians, artists, printers, and spouses - without whose activity and work the Reformation would have progressed much differently. These women and men make up Luther's Wittenberg world, and there is much to be learned from engaging their work. In this monumental work, Robert Kolb introduces us to those individuals. Engaging and informative essays on the social, political, and economic realities of the sixteenth century frame brief introductions to over two hundred supporting "cast members" whose lives played out around Martin Luther. Comprehensively illustrated, with maps, bibliographies, and other resources, Luther's Wittenberg World is a treasure.

Robert Kolb, one of the leading international scholars of his generation, offers a seminal survey of the question of peremptory international law. The author analyses and systemises different questions, such as: the typology of peremptory norms beyond the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties; here he distinguishes between ‘public order’ jus cogens and mere ‘public utility’ jus cogens. Furthermore, what about relative jus cogens, such as regional jus cogens norms or conventional jus cogens norms? What about some consequences of jus cogens breaches in the law of State responsibility: are they themselves jus cogens? Thus, can individual war reparations be renounced by lump-sum agreements? What happens if different jus cogens norms are in conflict? Is there a difference between the scope of jus cogens in inter-State relations and its scope for other subjects of law, such as the UN and its Security Council? Is jus cogens necessarily predicated on the concept of a hierarchy of norms? What is the exact extent of the peremptory nature of some rules? Sometimes, only the core of a principle is peremptory, while its normative periphery is not. Also, in the use of force, the peremptory character of the provision is compatible with agreements falling under the recognised exceptions, such as collective self-defence. These and other unusual questions are discussed in the present book.

At the 500th anniversary of the Wittenberg Reformation, two highly regarded scholars compare and contrast the history and theological positions of the Reformed and Lutheran traditions. The authors tackle nine theological topics significant for the life of the church that remain a source of division between the two traditions. The book helps readers evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Reformed and Lutheran approaches to presenting the biblical message and invites honest, irenic, and open dialogue within the Protestant family.