Martin Luther and the Called Life

by Mark D. Tranvik (Editor)

One of the hallmarks of Luthers theology was its concern for daily life. In the midst of debates about justification and salvation, church authority, and the Lords Supper, he bore a deep concern for daily Christian life. In this refreshing book, Mark D. Tranvik looks at the importance of vocation in Luthers own life and in doing so discovers renewed insights into this important doctrine. Vocation, the called life, is a way of understanding that all of life is under the care and interest of God. All of our activities as a spouse, parent, child, worker, citizen, and church member are a part of a called life. Tranvik begins the book with a clear exposition of Luthers context, with a focus on how the reformer actually lived out his own calling. He rapidly moves into the contemporary sphere, drawing on twenty years of teaching and interaction with undergraduate students to outline how a renewed understanding of vocation is a powerful and liberating tool for life in the twenty-first century.

Genres: Church

186 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2016

Reviews

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. When first researching whether to use it as a book to study for a men’s group I read that it was written by a college professor at Augsburg College. This was met with caution by the members of the group, fearful it might be a bit too “academic” for discussions.

It was an unfounded concern. The book is extremely readable and brings a whole new perspective to understanding Luther’s life and his beliefs. The book brings a new approach to how we define our “vocation” in life as our faith leads us. There were a good number of facts in the book that some in the group realized were different than what they have either been taught in their Lutheran faith, or they had, somewhere, made some assumptions that were not correct or just believed differently than what the professor points out.

The group enjoyed the book immensely and is recommending it to others.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a greatly accessible work that allows us to get to know Luther better as a person as well as study the concept of Christian vocation. The exploration of the concept, however, is quickly summarized and simply reiterated repeatedly.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It is one of the best bible studies I have ever done, and it really gave me a different perspective of my calling in the world. The author made the material interesting and relevant to today.