This is a comprehensive and systematic survey of Martin Luther's entire thought by an internationally recognized authority in the field of Reformation research. The main theological questions which engaged the Reformer's attention are set forth in clear and simple fashion, along with a host of quotations from this own writings to illumine the presentation. Scholars and laypersons alike will appreciate the more than a thousand instances in which the author allows Luther to speak forcefully and directly for himself.
Forty years of in-depth research on Martin Luther's theology has left Oswald Bayer uniquely qualified to present this comprehensive study. He does so with clarity and care, simply enough for nontheologians to access. This remarkable book offers the basics of Luther's understanding of theology, discussing his response to the philosophy of science tradition, the formula by which he studied theology, and the basic philosophy that informed him. Bayer then takes Luther's stance on Christian dogmatics and ethics and applies it to our own theological understanding in the modern age. With such a complete Lutheran dogmatic concept -- the first of its kind offered -- the stunning inner consistency of Luther's theology and its ease of application to contemporary studies become unmistakably clear. Martin Luther's Theology is a valuable tool for students and teachers of theology and for those looking for a guide into the mind and heart of Luther -- a theologian for today.
How is it possible for God to be God, in a world where human beings find it quite natural to live and think as if they themselves stood at the center of things? Philip Watson, outstanding English Methodist, whose scholarly and objective research on Luther is contributing greatly to contemporary Protestant evaluation of the Reformer, finds his answer to the question in ÒLuther's Copernican Revolution.Ó Copernicus challenged the old theory that the sun moves around the Earth. He said that the sun is the center of things and the earth moves around it. Similarly, Luther challenged the teaching, in effect, that mortals are at the center of things, and that everything moves around them. Not so. God is the center. Without Him, humanity is nothing. Human salvation lies not in things mortals do, but in what God does - through Christ. His point determines Watson's theme, ÒLet God Be GodÓ - that is, let humanity recognize God's will and way. Significantly, this study of Luther by a non-Lutheran indicates the influence of Scandinavian sources in the study and research of Watson. In his Preface, the author acknowledges assistance from such Swedish scholars as AulŽn, Nygren, Bring, and others. The first part of Let God Be God evaluates Luther as a theologian and points out the motif of his thought. The book proceeds to concentrate on three major themes in Luther: The Revelation of God, The Theology of the Cross, and The Doctrine of the Word. Philip Watson writes forcefully - with the zeal of one who has made a discovery that he feels must be shared with others. His simple literary expression makes clear some profound theological distinctions that are often difficult for the average reader to comprehend. Notes on each chapter contain numerous quotations from Luther. Those already acquainted with Luther will find this interpretation of his lectures, writings, and sermons particularly stimulating. Let God Be God is significant reading for the student and lay person who wants to know better the theology of the Reformer.
Five hundred years ago, the Reformers were defending doctrines such as justification by faith alone, the authority of Scripture, and God's grace in salvation—some to the point of death. Many of these same essential doctrines are still being challenged today, and there has never been a more crucial time to hold fast to the enduring truth of Scripture. In Reformation Theology, Matthew Barrett has brought together a team of expert theologians and historians writing on key doctrines taught and defended by the Reformers centuries ago. With contributions from Michael Horton, Gerald Bray, Michael Reeves, Carl Trueman, Robert Kolb, and many others, this volume stands as a manifesto for the church, exhorting Christians to learn from our spiritual forebears and hold fast to sound doctrine rooted in the Bible and passed on from generation to generation.
Many contemporary theologians seek to retrieve the concept of beauty as a way for people to encounter God. This groundbreaking book argues that while Martin Luther's view of beauty has often been ignored or underappreciated, it has much to contribute to that quest. Mark Mattes, one of today's leading Lutheran theologians, analyzes Luther's theological aesthetics and discusses its implications for music, art, and the contemplative life. Mattes shows that for Luther, the cross is the lens through which the beauty of God is refracted into the world.
Bengt Hoffman elevates Christian spirituality and spiritual formation as proper subjects for serious theological study. This book reveals Luther's mystical experience of God in a prayerful life to be essential in the development of his theology. It shows how the spiritual life is essential to Luther's understanding of the gospel. Balanced by his emphasis on the "external Word" Luther's experience of the divine was a critical influence on his understanding of faith and salvation.
Prominent Reformation historian Timothy Wengert introduces the basic components of Martin Luther's theology of the Bible and examines Luther's contributions to present-day biblical interpretation. Wengert addresses key points of debate regarding Luther's approach to the Bible that have often been misunderstood, including biblical authority, the distinction between law and gospel, the theology of the cross, and biblical ethics. He argues that Luther, when rightly understood, offers much wisdom to Christians searching for fresh approaches to the interpretation of Scripture. This brief but comprehensive overview is filled with insights on Luther's theology and its significance for contemporary debates on the Bible, particularly the New Perspective on Paul.
Martin Luther's theology presented a paradigmatic shift in defining God and humanity, refuting the foundations of Aristotelian anthropology with a new emphasis on the Revealed God and his unconditioned grace. Robert Kolb traces the development of Luther's thinking within the context of late medieval theology and piety at the dawn of the modern era.
A comprehensive look at the background and context, the content, and the impact of Martin Luther's Theology, written by an international team of theologians and historians.
