Essential Writings of the Reformation
Though most of the Protestant world can trace its roots back to the Reformation, many people today have only a vague knowledge of Martin Luther's writings. "Didn't he write the Ninety-Five Theses?" Jack Kilcrease and Erwin Lutzer step into this vacuum with a carefully selected collection of Luther's works.
Centered around the five solas of the Reformation (sola Scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, sola Christus, soli Deo gloria), the selections offer readers an accessible primer on works that are foundational to the theology of Protestantism in all its forms. Introductions to each writing include an explanation of the historical context and the theological significance of the piece. Students of the Bible, pastors, teachers, and seminary students will find this collection an enlightening introduction to Luther in his own words and a useful addition to their libraries.
Though most Protestants—approximately 900 million believers worldwide—trace their spiritual roots back to the Reformation, many people today have only a vague knowledge of Martin Luther's extensive writings. Jack Kilcrease and Erwin Lutzer step into this vacuum with Martin Luther in His Own Words, a carefully selected collection of Luther's works.
Organized around the five solas of the Reformation (sola Scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, sola Christus, soli Deo gloria), the selections offer readers an accessible primer on works that are foundational to the theology of Protestantism in all its forms. An introduction to each writing includes an explanation of its historical context and theological significance.
Students of the Bible, pastors, teachers, and seminary students will find this collection an enlightening introduction to Luther in his own words and a useful addition to their libraries.
Click here for an excerpt provided by Baker Books.
M.L. Codman-Wi, Ph.D. on Mary Lou's Reviews - Reviewing One Book Per Week wrote:"If you don’t have time to sift through all of Luther’s works but want a good introduction you don’t need to look further than this book. If you are intimidated about picking up theological literature that was written 500 years ago, again look no further! The editors have included concise but extremely helpful introductions to each of the sections.
If you are a pastor who is looking for one place where you can get the best of Luther’s works – look here. If you are a Bible college student who has always been interested in Luther but doesn’t know where to start. Look here! Finally, if you would like to do some sort of small group discussion on the Reformation, this would be a great place to start. So look here!"
"Luther was a prolific writer, but [Kilcrease and Lutzer] focus theologically on Luther’s arguments with Catholic church doctrines and practices in his day....
Choosing a limited number of texts from Luther’s writings, along with their timing in Luther’s debate within his Catholic commitment, helps the lay reader understand Luther’s contribution and make sense of that contribution in its historical context. The subtitle of the book, therefore, Essential Writings of the Reformation, is an accurate description of the book’s focus and message. The struggle for “right” doctrine, the role of Scripture, and Biblical ecclesiology has enveloped the Christian church since its inception in Christ. Kilcrease and Lutzer’s book sheds significant light on one key phase of that struggle in the 1500’s."