The Captivation of the Will: Luther vs. Erasmus on Freedom and Bondage

by Gerhard O. Forde (Foreword), Steven D. Paulson (Editor)

"The Captivation of the Will" provocatively revisits a perennial topic of controversy — human free will. Highly esteemed Lutheran thinker Gerhard O. Forde cuts to the heart of the subject by reexamining the famous debate on the will between Luther and Erasmus.

Following a substantial introduction by James A. Nestingen that brings to life the historical background of the debate, Forde thoroughly explores Luther's "Bondage of the Will" and the dispute between Erasmus and Luther that it reflects. In the process of exposing this debate's enduring significance for Christians, Forde highlights its central arguments about Scripture, God, the will, and salvation in Christ.

Luther recognized that the only solution for humans bound by sin is the forgiveness that comes from Christ alone. Convinced that this insight represents the heart of the Christian gospel, Forde concludes with ten sermons that proclaim the message of salvation through Christ alone while elegantly relating theological inquiry to everyday life.

Genres: Theology, History

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Gerhard O. Forde was an American Lutheran theologian who wrote extensively on the Protestant Reformation and Lutheran Theology and tradition. He was professor of systematic theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and even after Dr. Forde's retirement in 1998 he remained active as a teacher and lecturer for several years.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

For readers new to the doctrine of the bondage of the will, this volume is a helpful entry point. It sketches the historical background of the Erasmus–Luther debate, walks through the central arguments, and offers a concise exposition of Luther’s main points. The concluding sermons illustrate the doctrine’s homiletical usefulness.

That said, I still hope for a future work that functions as an even more introductory, biblically based primer. This book is accessible, but it presumes some prior familiarity with the topic and its terminology.

[Philippe Deblois · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to return to year after year. This is a great summary of Luther's Bondage of the Will.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out great. It was doing a great job of summarizing the issues in this debate. However as it went on it was less helpful.

A couple of good quotes:

"We are, indeed, willing beings. But the point is that we are not free. ... unless the Spirit of God enters into the matter, the will goes badly. Indeed, to attribute a 'free' will to humans is not just a logical mistake, it is ultimately blasphemy. For God is the only one who could be said to have free will." (55)

"If salvation is reputedly given entirely by grace and one tries to work in a little bit of 'free choice' then everything, absolutely everything, will depend on that little bit. It cannot escape being salvation by works alone." (58)

(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})

[Alexandru Balaur]

The book is pretty good, except the last part with sermons.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, ���The Captivation of the Will,��� was written by Gerhard O. Forde to give a bird���s eye view of the reformation discussion between Luther and Erasmus on the subject of the will. While Forde does not go into an intense and long length discussion, he rather tries to paint a picture of the theological and psychological environment using broad strokes.

At the heart of the debate between Erasmus and Luther was obviously the understanding of the will. Is the will free or bound? That was the main question. However, from Forde���s book he tries to capture the theological presuppositions behind each statement, as does Luther in his book, ���The Bondage of the Will.��� Specifically Forde states on page 21,

���If you begin with the assumption of freedom, the preoccupation is always how to keep freedom in check, how to bind; But if you begin with the assumption of bondage, the preoccupation is always how to set out the word that frees.���

These beginning presuppositional points really dictate two completely different theological frameworks. Not only are there two different frameworks, these frameworks then affect the ministry of the Word, especially in how one proclaims it. Is the Word proclaimed to bind supposed freedom or is the Word proclaimed to set bound wills free?

At the heart of Erasmus��� presupposition and desire to fight for the freedom of the will was what Luther many times identified as the spirit of Pelagius. Erasmus��� really couldn���t handle the idea of a bound will and the idea of having someone over top of him controlling his destiny.

Erasmus also held to the neutral state of mankind. According to Forde on page 71,

���For Erasmus the will always seems to be that neutral gear in an automobile which can be shifted this way and that���at will.��� But this, Luther insists, is mere abstraction, a logical fiction.���

Erasmus��� idea of a neutral state of mankind is due to his overinflated view of mankind and a diminishing or downplay of original sin. Erasmus��� understanding of man in a neutral state led to an over emphasis on moralism and opened the door for Semi-Pelagianism. As stated above, Luther saw this as a logical fiction and thus another example of Erasmus��� faulty theological framework.

The reason for the importance in this discussion over the will is that the very gospel and its delivery are at stake. Luther contended that the Gospel is made cheap when the tiniest bit of merit is interjected, for when the tiniest bit of merit is introduced it turns everything back on the receiver and the Gospel is no longer good news. Furthermore, if one begins from the presupposition of freedom the conversation inevitably turns to moralism and the goal of binding freedom rather than setting the bound will free through the Gospel.

[Matthew Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, “The Captivation of the Will,” was written by Gerhard O. Forde to give a bird’s eye view of the reformation discussion between Luther and Erasmus on the subject of the will. While Forde does not go into an intense and long length discussion, he rather tries to paint a picture of the theological and psychological environment using broad strokes.

At the heart of the debate between Erasmus and Luther was obviously the understanding of the will. Is the will free or bound? That was the main question. However, from Forde’s book he tries to capture the theological presuppositions behind each statement, as does Luther in his book, “The Bondage of the Will.” Specifically Forde states on page 21,

“If you begin with the assumption of freedom, the preoccupation is always how to keep freedom in check, how to bind; But if you begin with the assumption of bondage, the preoccupation is always how to set out the word that frees.”

These beginning presuppositional points really dictate two completely different theological frameworks. Not only are there two different frameworks, these frameworks then affect the ministry of the Word, especially in how one proclaims it. Is the Word proclaimed to bind supposed freedom or is the Word proclaimed to set bound wills free?

At the heart of Erasmus’ presupposition and desire to fight for the freedom of the will was what Luther many times identified as the spirit of Pelagius. Erasmus’ really couldn’t handle the idea of a bound will and the idea of having someone over top of him controlling his destiny.

Erasmus also held to the neutral state of mankind. According to Forde on page 71,

“For Erasmus the will always seems to be that neutral gear in an automobile which can be shifted this way and that’at will.’ But this, Luther insists, is mere abstraction, a logical fiction.”

Erasmus’ idea of a neutral state of mankind is due to his overinflated view of mankind and a diminishing or downplay of original sin. Erasmus’ understanding of man in a neutral state led to an over emphasis on moralism and opened the door for Semi-Pelagianism. As stated above, Luther saw this as a logical fiction and thus another example of Erasmus’ faulty theological framework.

The reason for the importance in this discussion over the will is that the very gospel and its delivery are at stake. Luther contended that the Gospel is made cheap when the tiniest bit of merit is interjected, for when the tiniest bit of merit is introduced it turns everything back on the receiver and the Gospel is no longer good news. Furthermore, if one begins from the presupposition of freedom the conversation inevitably turns to moralism and the goal of binding freedom rather than setting the bound will free through the Gospel.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theologian explains how Luther called Erasmus on his bullshit theories about humans' relationship to free will and God.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good summary of Luther's Bondage of the Will.

[TediyraBH]

BJ1460 .L85 F67 2005