The Bondage of the Will: The Freedom of Complete Surrender

by Martin Luther, Caleb Sinclair

In "Bondage of the Will," Martin Luther, the eminent theologian and key figure of the Reformation, challenges the prevailing beliefs about free will and divine sovereignty, leaving an indelible mark on the course of Christianity. With unwavering conviction, Luther dissects the nature of human will and its relationship to God's plan for salvation. In this profound work, Luther fearlessly confronts the prevailing religious authorities, asserting that humans are inherently incapable of choosing righteousness without divine intervention. Drawing from Scripture, philosophy, and his own theological insights, Luther unveils the bondage that shackles human will, and argues that true freedom lies in surrendering to the mercy and grace of God. "Bondage of the Will" stands as a cornerstone of Protestant thought, challenging traditional notions of human agency and upholding the supremacy of God's sovereign power. Luther's piercing analysis and eloquent arguments shed light on the complexities of faith, theology, and the dynamics of religious reform. This edition presents Luther's seminal work in all its intellectual vigor. Engaging and thought-provoking, "Bondage of the Will" continues to captivate readers with its profound exploration of the intricate relationship between God's sovereignty and human will.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2023

About the author

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, university professor and church reformer whose ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization.

Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.

Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented.

His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.

Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.

Reviews

[Joy Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, but I'm glad I waded through it. Luther is responding to Erasmus' written criticism, but even though I had not read that, it was easy to follow which point Luther was responding to. His book is full of logic from the Bible and common sense, and also humour. It was fascinating to read something written so long ago by a man we owe so much to.