Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings

by Timothy F. Lull, William R. Russell (Editor)

Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings has become the gold standard for use in seminary and college environments. It not only offers all of Luther's most influential, noted, and important writings in the modern translations but also includes excerpts of his sermons and letters that shed light on Luther's own religious and theological development. The volume takes the reader straight to Luther the man, to his controversial Reformation insights, to his strongest convictions about God and Scripture and the life of the church, and most valuably to his theology—a still-exciting encounter with the meaning of Jesus Christ for each age.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Church History, Christian

562 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent selection; the best single volume available. The reader who reads cover to cover will encounter the major contours of Luther's thought. My only criticism are the various errors of punctuation and spelling throughout.

[James Rickenbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best Luther compendium I have come across. Lull and Russell do a masterful job of systematizing Luther’s theology and writings. This is truly a helpful companion to the study of Luther.

Luther’s writings are revolutionary. He faithfully taught to “rightly divide the word of God” between law and gospel. He taught the solas. Luther retrieved for the church solid, Biblical theology. His writings are indeed a gift from God.

Luther was a sinner like everyone else though. Some of his writings (most especially some of the more vicious writings against the Jews) are to be disavowed, even after being rightly understood not as anti-Semitism, but as frustration at their refusal to accept the Gospel.

Overall, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

[Luke Gorsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Study

If all you’ve ever read is a Luther Biography this should be your next read. You get the full picture of his theology, his convictions, his views on reform, his theological development and his surprising dogmatism on the Lords Supper. According to him Zwingli wasn’t even a Christian. A great mind indeed. The gospel centeredness of his writings always stuck out to me. Hammered with grace. But not to the exclusion of law. Robust theology of law gospel distinctions. Read it and get to know the mind that made the man.

[Tyler Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a book, it’s well put-together. The footnotes tend to be extremely biased, however. As an author, Luther is… well, Luther, for better and for worse. As a Luther-in-reverse, I found myself extremely frustrated to say the least, but it was good to hear these arguments from the horse’s mouth, as it were.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic selection of articles and letters for those of us wanting to learn more about Luther's life and perspective.

[David Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection. I love the tables that help the reader understand the chronology of Luther's writings.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great selections, but I think I forgot just how caustic Luther could be. At least for me, reading long passages was hard to do.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of important writings, plus historical notes to give context to these 500 year old texts.