K. D. Lunneborg - Luther’s Works vs. More’s Utopia

Karl Lunneborg -

October 6, 2026

Essays

A short - 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵 - essay written for Paideia III at Wittenberg Academy, […]

Karl Lunneborg

Paideia III – M26

Mrs. James

29 September 2026

Luther’s Works vs. More’s Utopia

While the great reformer Martin Luther and the social figure Thomas More were both very influential figures in the early fifteen hundreds, their works are certainly very different. While in Luther’s Works there is very clear, concise, and quite understandable language, More’s Utopia leaves the read uncertain as to what the whole purpose of the book is. Through wordplay, uncertain translation, and hidden meanings, More keeps his reader on their toes, but Luther puts everything straight and quite bluntly. However, after examination, one finds that each author conveyed their meaning in the way that is best for their circumstance.

To begin with, Thomas More entitled his book “Utopia.” Which, depending on the Greek spelling, could imply either a “no-place” or a “good-place”. One possible Greek word begins with a negation, which would mean that the place outlined in the book is in fact an unreachable goal or pipe dream of man. While the other Greek word begins with a prefix meaning “good.” But even this title could mean two things. First, it could mean that the book explains the direction in which society should move. Second, it could be saying that this direction is where the society thinks it should be moving, while in fact it is a bad place.

To continue this theme of mystery, the main character is Raphael Hythlodaye. Translated literally, it means “A messanger, to proclame nonsense.” Raphael does most of the talking about this new land of Utopia, which makes one wonder whether any of it is to be payed attention to at all. Yet More writes in a letter to Peter Giles in the beginning of the book, “For as I wyll take good hede, that there be in my booke nothing false.” (More xiii) So, then, is the book filled of truth, or of nonsense?

To contrast this, Martin Luther in his Small Catechism is constantly asking “What does this mean?” This question allows Luther to elaborate extensively, yet concisely, on the doctrine he is teaching. He also promotes clarity in this, saying that “young and simple people must be taught by uniform, settled texts and forms.” (Luther, Introduction) Luther continues, saying that his reader should pick a form of the confessions, and continue to use it always. And his promises made in the introduction are more than More’s promise to truth, for Luther indeed does deliver a clear, consise, and consistent confession of the Lutheran faith. To cite all the catechism would take too much space, but let it be known that Luther delivers what he promises.

Then there must be something else at play which prompts Luther to be clear, and More to be quite less so than Luther. This thing is context. The context and audience of each work decided for each author how the work should be written. For Luther, the catechism is to be a concise, clear, and easy to comprehend confession of the Lutheran faith. While More was certainly writing a social commentary which, if too well understood by powerful people, could put More in a bad place – prison, or worse.

The difference between the two texts is finally made clear. Of course, the visible differences are obvious. When More leaves his readers wondering, Luther makes their minds sure. And while Luther leaves no doubt in the Lutheran confession, More leaves doubt about the littlest (and yet most important) things. Even names in Utopia cause the whole text to be left in question, while the Small Catechism proclaims the Name above all names, that is, Jesus Christ. But the difference in writing style is all due to the context surrounding the work. Thomas More had to be unclear so he could publish his thoughts without putting himself under scrutiny, while Martin Luther had to give the people the clearest possible resource to study, digest, and proclaim the Lutheran Confession.

Works Cited

More, Thomas. Utopia. Translated by Raphe Robynson. Edited by Israel Gollancz, 2nd ed., The Temple Classics, April 1899

Luther, Martin. Small Catechism. “Book of Concord Online.” https://bookofconcord.org/small- catechism/ Accessed 29 September, 2026.