Bast selects and translates from the German nine essays by Hamm (historical theology, Erlangen U.), who specializes in the intellectual history of late-medieval and Reformation Germany. The topics include three models of pre-reformation urban reform preaching, why faith became the central concept of the Christian life for Luther, the Reformation doctrine of justification, reformation from below and from above as a problem in historical classification, and the place of the Reformation in the second Christian millennium. The lead essay discusses his core theory of normative centering in religiosity, theology, and iconology during the 15th and 16th centuries. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)