5 comments about Bondage of the Will, The.

1. The Bondage of the Will is necessary reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Protestant theology. I am a Catholic and found most of what Luther wrote to be poorly based and unscriptural, however, his treatise on the bondage of the will did serve to stress once again the Pauline doctrine of justification by grace alone. This doctrine which teaches that there is nothing a man can do apart from grace to begin, promote, or accomplish his justification before God, but that justification is initiated, begun, and brought to fulfillment completely through God's grace, has been Catholic doctrine from the beginning. Tragically, this doctrine was muddied and distorted by the late Scholastic theology of the "via moderna" - the only theology Luther was really familiar with. Apparently Luther knew very little if any Christian theology pre-dating the 14th Century. The doctrine of justification by grace alone appeared to him therefore as a novelty; something he had "rediscovered." This doctrine, however, is not what the Catholic Church took issue with. It was Luther's insistence upon determinism and his belief that even after justification a man remains totally corrupt. Luther makes plain in this text that even subsequent to justification any good a person accomplishes is done without any human input; all good actions are accomplished by God alone. Luther is very unclear in his explanation of how this occurs. He says man's nature is changed, regenerated, and wills only good after justification, but somehow the man is also evil and deserves only eternal damnation. It is only by the grace of God he is spared this. What part of the man remains evil Luther doesn't clarify. If it is God alone that works the good in us according to our new nature and we have absolutely no ability to reject God's grace and action in our lives (just as under Satan we have absolutely no say in whether we sin since we are then ruled by Satan), we are not only in effect, but in our innermost being nothing more than automatons without any inherent meaning to our existence. Luther makes it extremely clear that in his view man has no free will after justification. He is "free" in the sense that he operates according to his nature, but he has no ability to act otherwise. That man is most free when he acts in accord with his nature has always been Catholic doctrine, but at no time in history did Christianity teach, and nowhere in the Bible does it say man cannot turn away from God or reject his grace. Believing this makes the Bible, indeed the whole of existence, an exercise in futility. Why would Jesus die for men whom he himself causes to sin necessarily? Why would he have to? Luther says this is part of God's "hidden Majestic will" that we have no right to question. He frequently sites Paul's words in Romans 9:14-25 and 11.33-36 in justification of this attitude, but Paul is clearly speaking in these passages of God's providential guidance of history and peoples - not the justification and salvation of individuals. Luther claims to be in agreement with St. Augustine, but anyone who has read Augustine knows there are scarcely two men more distant in thought. Augustine, as all Christianity, held that once an individual is justified he truly becomes a new creation capable of freely choosing the good through the grace of Christ. This action is done through the power of God's grace, yet it is truly the individual's own action as well. Furthermore, as Paul makes clear in numerous passages, an individual always possesses the ability to reject Christ even subsequent to justification. Although Luther claimed his doctrine of "necessity of immutability" offered consolation to those perturbed by conscience, in reality it creates a universe in which we have no control over our own destiny, all things are determined apart from us, and God damns or glorifies those whom he chooses on an absolutely arbitrary basis. I cannot see how this can be comforting, let alone "good news." Luther holds that simply because God has foreseen all things from eternity that everything happens of necessity. He makes a gigantic blunder in confusing God's eternal vision from outside time with the free operations of persons within time. Simply because we remember something from yesterday, it doesn't follow that we caused it to happen. In the same way, because God sees all things due to his being outside time, it doesn't follow that within time they are pre-determined without reference to man's free choice. God allows men to freely choose to reject his grace. He created us free and desires all men to be saved and offers all men his grace. Luther is absolutely right in saying man can do nothing apart from grace to save himself - it is all grace, but he can do something to cause his damnation - he can reject this grace when it is offered to him each day of his life. Perhaps it was providential, though, that Luther stressed "grace alone." Much Christian theology had drifted far from this gospel truth. Finally, I found Luther's caustic sarcasm hard to stomach. I'm not a fan of Erasmus (to whom Luther was responding and who did a poor job of defining the Catholic position), but Luther's anathemas and ad hominem attacks detracted considerably from a book that would otherwise have been quite enjoyable to read.



2. I purchased Luther's book for my "Formation of Modern Christianity" class and am in the process of using it to write my term paper on the debate between Erasmus and Luther on the issue of free will. Luther does an excellent job in this book when presenting his case for the bondage of free will by demonstrating that humans are completely depraved and cannot choose salvation, therefore we do not have the free will to do both good and evil, but only evil. Buy this book if you want a clear picture on this ongoing debate, but make sure to also purchase "Discourse on Free Will" to gain a picture of Erasmus' point of view, as well.



3. "De servo arbitrio" is the original title of this Martin Luther's masterpiece. In it, the Reformer explains his theology concerning the limits of man's will before God, differing it from those which preached the full free will or the absence of any possibility of free will. It is a key book for all those who are interested in studying the matters referred to free will and predestination.



4. The authors have done a commendable job of bringing the debate between two of the Reformation's prime leaders into the modern forum. I appreciate the easily-read type-setting and general formatting of this book.



5. God must open our spiritual eyes in order that we will truly desire Him.
   
   Despite the confusing credit-debit, works-merit system deceitfully established by the RCC, Luther harshly spells it all out for all those who are unaware and unfamiliar with their own fallen human condition and the consequences of remaining ignorant of their dead, sin-laden standing before God!
   
   Bondage of the Will - This is the wake up call!!! Grace is unmerited favor! Augustine came to know the truth about GRACE in his later works (that came about as a result of the Pelagian & Semi-Pelagian Controveries) - it leaves no room for boasting! Why is one a true Christian and another is not/or simply a pretender? What did we have that we did not receive?? Not only is a true hearing of the Word an aspect of grace but also is the true receiving of it!!!
   
   No man can come to Jesus unless the Fathers draws Him and none that is given to Jesus will go lost becasue they are secure in Him!
   
   Predestination & Election are not made up concepts and they are not merely a product of God's Foreknowledge.
   
   God has enabled sin to enter the world for reasons that are unknown to us.
   
   Nothing falls outside of God's providence and dominion.
   
   The elect will hear this message loud and clear while the reprobate will mock God and exalt man
   
   Amen to those who are willing to see the big picture and speak the truth!
   
   TO GOD GOES THE GLORY!!!

2 comments about Evangelical Lutheran Worship: Pew Edition.

1. I am not a musician and I can't read music, so I'll leave it to the more musically qualified to weigh in on the merits of the hymns and service settings in this new Lutheran worship resource. But I am a Lutheran, I love a sung service, and I enjoy singing hymns. Just published, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) is intended to replace the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW or "green book") published in 1978 at the time when three historic American Lutheran bodies merged to form a single denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
   
   What I like about ELW is its abundance of choices, its completeness, and its transparency. Unlike the LBW, this new resource is designed to facilitate private worship as effectively and fully as public worship. The section for the Propers for Sundays and Principal Festivals is clearly laid out, including for those Sundays beginning in Pentecost when churches have the option of pursuing "complementary" or "semicontinuous" Old Testament readings. Unlike the old, two-year Daily Lectionary, the Daily Lectionary in the ELW follows a three-year cycle, making it easier for the worshipers to integrate their priviate devotions with what the larger church is doing on Sundays. Another important improvement is the inclusion of all 150 Psalms, not just the "safe" or "polite" ones. The first piece of service music, which immediately follows the last Psalm, is numbered #151. This is significant. It is a way of reasserting the Psalter's rightful place as the Church's primary collection of worship music. The numbering helps us remember that the Psalms are not to be treated as texts only. They pre-date the church, in fact, and from the beginning have served as important works of musical and spiritual expression. Also important for private devotions is the inclusion of Martin Luther's "Small Catechism" and a short article explaining the Scriptural basis of worship (where the precise verses are identified for all the key phrases that form the skeleton of our worship service). More than its predecesor, ELW gives the motivated Lutheran worshiper the chance to prepare ahead of time for Sunday worship, and to reflect upon it afterwards--a reminder that being a Christian is not just what we do, think, and say on Sunday.
   
   What I mean when I praise ELW's "transparency," is that those who prepared this volume have taken pains to explain why we worship the way we do, to present the logic and rationale behind the options available to us. Each section of the book is introduced with a brief explanation of what is being presented and what makes that element of worship noteworthy. Similarly, there is ample use of rubrics to call attention to worship options within the various settings and services. I even appreciate that they have added a footnote to the Nicene Creed to remind worshipers that the phrase "and the Son" is a later addition to the Creed.
   
   Even more so than the LBW, this hymnal is sensitive to the diversity of the church and demonstates a sense of joy about embracing all lands and cultures. Likewise, it recognizes that the laity is capable and ready to take greater leadership in the "work" of the church; the text distinguishes between "presiding ministers" (i.e., ordained clergy) and "leaders" and "assisting ministers" in a way that is empowering rather than restrictive.
   
   I look foward to exploring the new settings for Communion as part of my Sunday worship. And I encourage all Lutherans to obtain a personal copy of ELW and begin using it as part of your personal devotiions.



2. This is a long time coming and long overdue. The last time the LBW (now the ELW) got a rewrite was in the 1970s.
   
   If you're looking for the Gift Edition the ISBN number is 978-0-8066-5671-7. Currently, it's only available from Augsburg Fortress.

5 comments about Three Treatises.

1. This little volume contains three of Luther's most (in)famous treatises. Whether or not you agree with his theology, it is interesting to read his work directly rather than to depend on secondary sources. This inexpensive volume will give readers a glimpse into Luther's thought and a taste for his polemical style. He's not always polite, but never fails to be entertaining!



2. Being that these three works were the foundation of Luther's reformation(if you dont count the 95 Theses), they are important for any Christian to read. Personally, as a Catholic, these dont offend me. They address very real issues of the time. Do I think they are totally right and justified to cause millions to break with the Church? Not really. But then again, it was a much different scenario at the time. Any Catholic or Protestant who wants a firm grasp on their roots needs to read these.



3. Since no one has mention them, here are the three essential Lutheran texts:
   1. An Open Letter to the Christian Nobility
   2. The Babylonian Captivity of the Church . . . Luther's reorganization of the sacramental system
   3. The Freedom of a Christian
   Luther takes on the Roman Catholic Church and none too kindly. Important to both the history of Christianity and the history of Germany -- and of course to all practicing Lutherans. It might even be eye-opening to many Lutherans today who only know of Luther from his catechism.



4. Yes, Luther had his faults; in all honesty they are well documented and cannot be denied. But if we proceed in this honest assessment, we must admit that if only a small fraction of his case against the Roman papacy were true, it would be a very damning case indeed, enough to forever impeach Rome's claim as the one "true" church and the pope's claim to be Christ's 'stand-in', the 'Vicar of Christ'. After those aspects of Luther's case that can be assailed as being inaccurate are whittled off, what remains is the lion's share of his expositions, a well-argued prosecution of the papal office and its corruption of the western church. The most important of Luther's essays stand with the greatest of Christian commentaries and expositions.
   
   Yes, there are many other voices of Christian (Eastern, Protestant, and Roman) consequence, down to our present day, but in terms of historical impact, few stand with Luther. This volume from Fortress Press, includes English translations of three seminal essays produced in 1520: To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and, The Freedom of a Christian. They represent the heart of Luther's case against the Roman papacy, and the heart of the Reformation. His case cites many specific points, is filled with both reverence for God and scripture, and contempt for the self-aggrandizement, politicking, callous money-grubbing, and arrogance of the papal office holders and papist "flatterers":
   
   "If the pope in Rome can grant dispensations and scandalously sell them for money, then every priest may give the same dispensations without price and for the salvation of souls. Would to God that every priest were able to do and remit without payment all those things we have to pay for at Rome, such as indulgences, letters of indulgence, butter letters, mass letters, and all the rest of the confessionalia and skullduggery at Rome and free us from that golden noose the [papal] canon law, by which the poor people are deceived and cheated of their money! If the pope has the right to sell his noose of gold and his spiritual snares (I ought to say 'law') for money, then a priest certainly has more right to tear these nooses and snares apart, and for God's sake tread them underfoot. But if the priest does not have this right, neither has the pope the right to sell them at his disgraceful fair. . . But they have bound us with their canon law and robbed us of our rights so that we have to buy them back again with money. . ."
   
   It is inescapable that many Roman Catholics will continue to find Luther offensive, for the obvious reason that he accuses the popes of his time of extortion and theft, heresy, quickness to repression and violence, lies, arrogance, conspiracy and racketeering, political entanglements and manipulation, influence peddling, disdain for Christ's example and teachings, love of material wealth, disdain for love itself, and so forth. He often uses the name "Avarice" in reference to the papal office. He says that if the pope is not the Anti-Christ, then the Anti-Christ need not be feared, as no one could more damage the world's understanding of Christ's teaching than had the Roman popes. Not the kind of accusations that Catholics bound to doctrines of papal supremacy can comfortably countenance! But it is also inescapable that Luther writes as one expecting that his readers will recognize truth in what he writes, and that indeed a large number did. These essays are among the most necessarily scathing and significant of the story of Christendom. They deserve the attention of all Christians.



5. Every seminarian should own this - I say should not to make you rush out and buy this volume, but because your professors likely already have. While these are not perhaps the cream of Luther's Works, this little Fortress volume contains two treatises good for railing against Rome, and the Freedom of a Christian, which is a better catechism text than the catechism, despite the fact that everyone thinks they hate it. (But who likes the catechism, either?) It's the fact that these three come from 1520-1521 that makes them important - they are among the first of the writings of Luther's "new perspective". Read the Smalcald Articles in light of the first two treatises, it helps.
   
   Intro text - go fetch yourself Galatians, Bondage of the Will, and keep reading.

5 comments about Growing Up Lutheran: What Does This Mean?.

1. I enjoyed this book well enough to send a copy of it to my Father and an Aunt, who also grew up Lutheran. They enjoyed it, too.



2. . . . grow up Lutheran and in the Midwest, you may not appreciate the total humor of this book, but it's still a delightfully witty, tongue-in-cheek commentary on a by-gone era. Once started, I couldn't put it down, because it called up a flood of memories, everything from Sunday School pins to Mother-Daughter banquets to cemetary upkeep. It was MY life they were talking about. For those of you who did (grow up Lutheran in the Midwest), it a journey back into time; for those of you who didn't, it's an education about a whole bunch of us who sit quietly here in the Midwest doing what come naturally.



3. I am manager of a Home Health Agency. One day one of the nurses brought this tape and played it during lunch. We laughed until we cried. Especially appreciative are Lutherans or people who were brought up in Scandinavian communities.



4. I must confesss, which is fitting, that I grew up at the same time in the Midwest as these authors.
   
   However, my ancestors are Swedish and we lived in Iowa. You wouldn't think this would make a difference, but it does.
   
   The only thing I can say is that you had to have been there to completely understand this book. And maybe that won't do it.
   
   There was a comment somewhere that said you can't understand it unless you've had beets or Jello melt into your scalloped potatoes on a paper plate.



5. While the focus of the book is on Lutherans who grew up from the 40s to 60s I must confess that having grown up as the daughter of 2 Lutheran pastors, having worked at a Lutheran bible camp in college where i would go lead VBS at lutheran churches in Minnesota and having graduated from a lutheran college that it still pin points humor about the general Lutheran culture. It does not matter if you are in tune with all of the theology or church politics or not--people who both embrace and reject their Lutheran heritage will still appreciate this book! I must admit that while it was not always humourous and that it is more historical than modern that it did pin point observations with humor that i am currently struggling with while debating whether or not to follow through on attending Lutheran seminary relatively soon. I found it right on target and extremely therapeutic.
   Also recommended: Garrison Keiller
   and more Lutheran congregants should read Jim Wallis and SOjourners magazines!!

No comments about Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today.

5 comments about Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Biography.

1. Eberhard Bethge was Dietrich Bonhoeffer's closest friend and the lifelong editor and interpreter of his life and writings. For the first time we now have the completely unabridged biography in a revised and updated English translation. This is not only a classic of twentieth century biography; it also addresses key issues not only of German and European history, World War II, and the Holocaust but also, through Bonhoeffer's theology, the church and modernity. It sharply poses the question of authentic Christian life. A big book and a challenging read!



2. About 20 years ago, I read an older translation of this biography. Then, as now, a reader cannot help but be impressed by the thorough and meticulous scholarship that went into its preparation. Because of its size and scope (900+ pages), it may be somewhat daunting to new readers who may be just now encountering Bonhoeffer. However, given the nature of his literary output (Bonheoffer was still a young man when he died, and many of his ideas exist only in limited or underdeveloped forms), this in-depth look at the man and his motivations by the individual who probably knew him best is essential to an informed understanding of his work. For Bonhoeffer admirers, it doesn't get any better than this.



3. An outstanding, detailed and gripping story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christian fortitude. Eberhard Bethge's exquisitely detailed knowledge and references about Bonhoeffer's life, from beginning to end is a wonderful tribute to Bonhoeffer. The reader asks the question what possessed Bonhoeffer to pursue the dream of a restive German society with Christianity abounding. Unless one has lived under a dictatorship perhaps this makes one restless. This book provides clear and concise answers.



4. Upon starting this book I knew very little about Bonhoeffer; I had read some of Ethics and I knew of his murder by the Gestapo. Thus, there was something new on every page for me, and despite the book's length it never seemed oppressive in detail. In fact if the author can be faulted for one thing it is his lack of information about Bonhoeffer's courtship and engagement; which is discussed almost as an aside. On every other point though, the author did a wonderful job. His explanations of Bonhoeffer's theology are clear and understandable. Considering that much of what Bonhoeffer took for granted, theologically speaking, is alien to the American intellectual tradition that is a great accomplishment. The book is also a welcome antidote to the conception of 1930's and 1940's Germany as synonymous with Hitler and National Socialism. For even under the totalitarian state there were still men like Bonhoeffer who stood up against the regime



5. Bethge was Bonhoeffer's closest friend and colleague.He devoted his life to bringing Bonhoeffer to the world's attention. This expanded volume, in remarkable ways, weaves together Bonhoeffer's life and his theological insights. In this 100th anniversary of the birth of this 39 year old martyr, this long book deserves careful reading, even my those who have read Bethge's somewhat shorter version published a number of years ago.

3 comments about Luther's Large Catechism: A Contemporary Translation With Study Questions.

1. Being a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) I can say that this is one of the greatest theological writings outside of the Bible ever. It is a wonderful overview of many biblical truths. Many of his arguments such as his support for infant-baptism are practically impossible to soundly refute. If you agree with his theology or not, it is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to grow in the Christian faith or learn about what Lutherans believe.



2. This book is smilar to Luther's own small catechism, but deals with only differant aspects of theutheran dogma than it. In this there are covered: The 10 Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, Baptism and Sacrament of the altar, among others. What I really like is that you need to be in attendance regularly of a Lutheran church to really know what is being talked about in this book. Martin Luther, the author of this book, rifting from the Catholic church in the 1500s and founded the Protestant branch of CHristianity and his last name Luther is where the Lutheran denomination comes from. Don't mistake Martin Luther with Martin Luther King Jr. Though King Jr. is on a similar stature in Christianity with him, they were two differant people during two differant eras in Christianity. Why I don't give this book 4 or 5 stars is because I am not stuck up about my church.



3. I thought it was pretty good. Easy to understand for the most part. I thought it was definitely worth my time to read it. And it increased my desire to serve God.

No comments about The Preached God: Proclamation in Word and Sacrament (Lutheran Quarterly Books).

5 comments about Why I Am a Lutheran: Jesus at the Center.

1. This is an excellent book for any Christian to read. It could just as easily be titled Why I Am A Christian. It is a concise and very easy read with excellent points about God's grace and salvation. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested to know more about what Lutherans believe and practice.



2. I am returning this book as I belong to the Evangelican Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and this author is Missouri Synod. This was not included in the info about the book. There are major theological differences between Missouri Synod Lutherans and ELCA Lutherans. Won't go into it all here but the ELCA is in full Communion with The Episcopal CHurch , the Presbyterian Church (US) and has an early stage agreement with the United Methodist Church - but we have no such agreement with the Missouri Synod!



3. I really liked this book, not because I learned anything new but because as I sit in some Bible studies and even hear our pastor at our LCMS Lutheran church there tends to be various ideas creeping in that are not what I have been taught nor what I believe. I did not grow up Lutheran but read a lot before joining. I joined because what LCMS Lutherans believe is what I believe. This reaffirmed what I believe and what I thought my church believes.



4. Great book and not just for Lutherans but all those who are interested in the Lutheran Church. Preus does an excellent job through point by point explanations of the Lutheran positions on a variety of topics. Highly recommended.



5. If you are not a student of theology then this is not the best choice. It has a lot of good history but it is rather dry and difficult to read. I was disappointed.

1 comments about Lutheran Identity: A Classical Understanding (Lutheran Voices).

1. Reverend Frank Senn has created a concise introduction to the history of the Lutheran Churches' distinct identity. It is handy and readable for lay people interested in learning more about their faith, but because it's such a short and synoptic pamphlet, it suffers from minor problems that will urge more ambitous readers into further research and discussion.
   
   As the secondary title suggests, this pamphlet focus on the classical history of the Lutheran tradition, leaving the present up for debate in our modern, contentious times. This is probably for the best, since the future is an open discussion based on history, which he provides. Focusing on Lutheranism in its historical contexts, and the evolutions of its theology, Senn bravely includes many ignominious moments from the church's history, instead of limiting himself to some sort of ill-defined song of praise. He even brings in the evolution of scripture in the Apostolic Age and how the controversies that helped bring the church together were played out again during the Reformation. His history is very comprehensive, though short, and gives the curious reader a first footing for further research in the field.
   
   The problem is when he occasionally strays away from history and into proclamation. For instance, at the end of chapter 3, "Ecumenical Creeds," he insists that the three creeds from the Apostolic Age MUST be the only three used in worship, as no others can hold the same theological weight. Though he softens this stance in a discussion question later on the page, this dogmatic view that some things are too holy to be questioned risks alienating more spiritually inquisitive readers who may fundamentally agree with the idea but want to investigate rather than being simply told what to believe.
   
   Conversely, there are several times where Senn flees from telling us what something means. He mentions that Martin Stefan, first bishop of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, was expelled over a "troubling episode," but doesn't explain further. Likewise, he names controversies that have plagued Lutheran history, like Antinomianism or Osiandrianism, without further definition. Though this book is meant to be short and synoptic, a few brief sentences wouldn't overburden the text, and frankly, I shouldn't end my reading with a frustrated flight to Wikipedia.
   
   That said, the book's six chapters give a remarkably overarching view into the history of the Lutheran traditions. Why are there different Lutheran branches in the U.S.? Why do multiple congregations need to have a common liturgy? What is the purpose of the Creeds and of hymn-singing? This book gives handy, short, useful answers to these questions and others you probably never contemplated before now.
   
   Good for an adult Bible study or group discussions, this book is also short and simple enough for an individual to savvy in one or two nights. As an adult convert to Lutheranism, it cleared up many of the historical questions I never got in my earlier religious education, and helped me understand why we perform many of the acts we do on Sunday and during the week. Highly recommended for Lutherans interested in learning about their own church, it will also be informative and educational for any outsiders who want to know more about one of the most influential branches of the Christian tradition.