Martin Luther: Confessor of the Faith (Christian Theology in Context)

Martin Luther's thought continues to challenge people throughout the world in the twenty-first century. His paradigmatic shift in defining God and what it means to be human left behind a foundation for viewing human creatures that was anchored in Aristotle's anthropology. Luther defined the Revealed God in terms of his mercy and love for human beings, based not on their merit and performance but rather on his unconditioned grace. He placed 'fearing, loving, and trusting God above all else' at the heart of his definition of being human. This volume places the development and exposition of these key presuppositions in Luther's thinking within the historical context of late medieval theology and piety as well as the unfolding dynamics of political and social change at the dawn of the modern era. Special attention is given the development of a 'Wittenberg way' of practicing theology under Luther's leadership. It left behind a dependence on allegorical methods of biblical interpretation for a 'literal-prophetic' approach to Scripture. More importantly, it placed the distinction between the 'gospel' as God's unmerited gift of identity as his children and the 'law', the expression of God's expectations for the performance of his children in good works, at the heart of all interpretation of the Bible. This presuppositional framework for practicing theology reflects Luther's personal experience and his deep commitment to pastoral care of common Christians as well as his reading of the biblical text. It is supported by his distinction of two kinds of human righteousness (passive in God's sight, active in relationship to others), his distinction of two realms or dimensions of human life, and his theology of the cross. The volume unfolds Luther's maturing thought on the basis of this method.

History

Kolb, Robert

Europe

Oxford University Press

Martin Luther's thought continues to challenge people throughout the world in the twenty-first century. His paradigmatic shift in defining God and what it means to be human left behind a foundation for viewing human creatures that was anchored in Aristotle's anthropology. Luther defined the Revealed God in terms of his mercy and love for human beings, based not on their merit and performance but rather on his unconditioned grace. He placed 'fearing, loving, and trusting God above all else' at the heart of his definition of being human. This volume places the development and exposition of these key presuppositions in Luther's thinking within the historical context of late medieval theology and piety as well as the unfolding dynamics of political and social change at the dawn of the modern era. Special attention is given the development of a 'Wittenberg way' of practicing theology under Luther's leadership. It left behind a dependence on allegorical methods of biblical interpretation for a 'literal-prophetic' approach to Scripture. More importantly, it placed the distinction between the 'gospel' as God's unmerited gift of identity as his children and the 'law', the expression of God's expectations for the performance of his children in good works, at the heart of all interpretation of the Bible. This presuppositional framework for practicing theology reflects Luther's personal experience and his deep commitment to pastoral care of common Christians as well as his reading of the biblical text. It is supported by his distinction of two kinds of human righteousness (passive in God's sight, active in relationship to others), his distinction of two realms or dimensions of human life, and his theology of the cross. The volume unfolds Luther's maturing thought on the basis of this method.

Luther: Pastor of God's people

Concordia Pub. House

In this book, the author presents the basic teachings of the Christian faith from the Lutheran framework. This framework presents all the articles of faith in accordance with the Scriptures and also correctly distinguishes between Law and Gospel. Chapters focus on God, Creator and creation, God's provision, Sin and evil, God's Law, Person of Christ, Work of Christ, Justification, Holy Spirit and the work of conversion, Holy Scripture, God's Word, Baptism, Lord's Supper, Sanctified life, Church, Public ministry, Last things, and Heaven. Highly readable for serious Bible students, church professionals, and those preparing for church work. Can be used as an in-service teacher review.

The Christian Faith: A Lutheran Exposition

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

From their formulation in the sixteenth century through the present day, every generation of Lutheran leadership has grappled with the centrality and importance of the Lutheran confessional writings. In this important new volume, Arand, Kolb, and Nestingen bring the fruit of an entire generation of scholarship to bear on these documents, making it an essential and up-to-date class text. The Lutheran Confessions places the documents solidly within their political, social, ecclesiastical, and theological contexts, relating them to the world in which they took place, and assists readers in understanding the issues at stake in the narratives, both in their own time and in ours.

The Lutheran Confessions: History and Theology of The Book of Concord

Nestingen, James A.

World

Fortress Press

Born in controversy and raised in university settings, the Lutheran reform movement was embroiled immediately, publicly, and perennially in theological disputes and political battles. While controversies during Martin Luther's lifetime centered on disagreements with Rome and Geneva, present and later differences emerged over interpreting Luther's and Melanchthon's theologies on such issues as governmental interference, liturgical practices, justification's implications for good works and sin, the Lord's supper, and election. It is this defining dis-concord, alternating with attempts at concord and conciliation, that is reflected in the documents newly translated in this indispensable documentary companion to The Book of Concord, which includes the works of Agricola, Eck, Chemnitz, Melanchthon, and Luther.

Sources and Contexts of the Book of Concord

This volume offers a unique approach to the study of the great German reformer, Martin Luther. Robert Kolb and Charles Arand offer an introduction to two significant themes that form the heart of Luther's theology. The first theme concerns what it means to be truly human. For Luther, "passive righteousness" described the believer's response to God's grace. But there was also an "active righteousness" that defined the relationship of the believer to the world. The second theme involves God's relation to his creation through his Word, first creating and then redeeming the world. Clergy and general readers will find here a helpful introduction to Luther's theology and its continuing importance for applying the good news of the gospel to the contemporary world.

The Genius of Luther's Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Thinking for the Contemporary Church

Baker Academic

Galvanized by Erasmuss teaching on free will, Martin Luther wrote De servo arbitrio, or The Bondage of the Will, insisting that the sinful human will could not turn itself to God. In this first study to investigate the sixteenth-century reception of De servo, Robert Kolb unpacks Luthers theology and recounts his followers ensuing disputes until their resolution in the Lutheran churches 1577 Formula of Concord.

Bound Choice, Election, And Wittenberg Theological Method: From Martin Luther To The Formula Of Concord (Lutheran Quarterly Books)

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

For All the Saints: Changing Perceptions of Martyrdom and Sainthood in the Lutheran Reformation

Mercer Univ Pr

Make Disciples, baptizing: God's gift of new life and Christian witness (Concordia Seminary Publication)

Concordia Seminary

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kolb, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Kolb, Robert

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Kolb, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Martin Luther: Confessor of the Faith (Christian Theology in Context)

Martin Luther: Confessor of the Faith (Christian Theology in Context)

Luther: Pastor of God's people

The Christian Faith: A Lutheran Exposition

The Lutheran Confessions: History and Theology of The Book of Concord

Sources and Contexts of the Book of Concord

The Genius of Luther's Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Thinking for the Contemporary Church

Bound Choice, Election, And Wittenberg Theological Method: From Martin Luther To The Formula Of Concord (Lutheran Quarterly Books)

For All the Saints: Changing Perceptions of Martyrdom and Sainthood in the Lutheran Reformation

Make Disciples, baptizing: God's gift of new life and Christian witness (Concordia Seminary Publication)