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The Freedom of a Christian: Luther Study Edition
Perhaps no work of Martin Luther's so captures the revolutionary zeal and theological boldness of his vision as 'The Freedom of a Christian'. This translation of Luther's treatise brings alive the social, historical, and ecclesial context of Luther's treatise.
102 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1520
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About the author
Martin Luther
5,064 books812 followersMartin 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.
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.
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January 4, 2010
Billiant. Someone ought to use this to reform the Church!
May 20, 2009
I give it a 3.5 but rounded up on the stars. Luther contends that by putting assurance of salvation on works the Christian is contradicting the work of Christ and the promises of God. Nonetheless, Luther’s conviction is that this freedom does not exclude Christians from works but rather should be the compelling reason to serve God and one another. How would my life look different if I were to live more truly out of a place of freedom? I was especially struck by the weight of Luther’s thoughts when he said, “What greater rebellion against God, what greater wickedness, what greater contempt of God is there than not believing his promise? For what is this but to make God a liar or to doubt that he is truthful? – that is, to ascribe truthfulness to one’s self but lying and vanity to God?”
I think our own Christian culture, similar to the one Luther experienced, often perpetuates the idea of good works needed for God’s approval, only the works today might look like quiet times, prayer, going to church, and not using profanity. Sin often becomes relegated to discreet acts based on the idea that your bank of holiness is based on things you do or do not do. I believe our culture has failed to understand the severity of sin as well as the severe mercy in God’s grace. We live in a world that is mixed with both human sin as well as God’s grace and I think this begs dialogue with Luther’s idea of Christian Liberty.
I think our own Christian culture, similar to the one Luther experienced, often perpetuates the idea of good works needed for God’s approval, only the works today might look like quiet times, prayer, going to church, and not using profanity. Sin often becomes relegated to discreet acts based on the idea that your bank of holiness is based on things you do or do not do. I believe our culture has failed to understand the severity of sin as well as the severe mercy in God’s grace. We live in a world that is mixed with both human sin as well as God’s grace and I think this begs dialogue with Luther’s idea of Christian Liberty.
February 3, 2025
Read for seminary.
In my second read, I tried to derive a better understanding of Luther's sanctification; his doctrine of the priesthood of all believers also stood out.
1. Just as in my first reading, I didn't see anything that would give us Luther's view of sanctification. I don't think it's here. The same passages stuck out on pages 60 and 64. From my understanding, this Luther (of 1520) doesn't think we need to be sanctified (or better, this wasn't a real category for him?). Why? Assuming something like a framework of Platonic dualism, Luther thinks the soul is already made completely perfect in Christ by faith so sanctification is not needed. He admits that the body, however, is still sinful but you can't do much about it until the last day except for "keeping it under control" (62). I'm afraid we are still suffering the consequences of this incomplete picture of salvation; but not without hope.
2. The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Given his context, Luther had immense courage to put this forward (and thank God!). In the mediaeval church, priesthood was relegated to a select few. Thus, the presence of God was relegated to a select few. Against this, Luther asserts from 1 Peter 2:9 that “The little word ‘priest,’ ‘parson,’ ‘cleric,’ and the like is misused if it is taken away from the common people and attributed to a small group that is called the spiritual estate” (54). Luther's lament is potent as he declares that because of this thievery “the entire Christian understanding of grace, freedom, faith and everything we have in Christ, even Christ himself, is taken away” (55). Wow!!!! In a very real sense, Luther "gave Jesus back" to the lay people. Although Luther was excommunicated a year later, thank God the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers prevailed.
First read review
I wonder if our contemporary division between faith and obedience has stemmed (without Luther's intention) from Luther's influential theology of salvation by faith alone. His desire to address how one is "saved" by faith forced him to make strong distinctions between faith and works, but this emerged from his historical context. Nevertheless, his writing has been a healing balm to people of his own time (and ours!)—we are indeed saved by God's gift of grace in Christ, not our own works. Praise God! (Bonhoeffer who draws from Luther re-marries faith and works in his notion of "costly grace" which I find very helpful for my own thinking.)
I would like to understand Brother Marty's theology of sanctification more. He says that good works can't sanctify us, only faith can do that (64). But what does that even mean? Also, a few paragraphs before he says that good works (fasting, vigils, work, etc.) help to conform the body to the "inner person and faith" (60). Is this hinting at some idea of sanctification? I understand that Luther sees obedience and good works as a "joyful response" of faith in God, but do those works also have a role in our sanctification? Or, for Luther, do we even need to be sanctified? If not, then, what about indwelling sin (as we experience it in our daily lives)?
In my second read, I tried to derive a better understanding of Luther's sanctification; his doctrine of the priesthood of all believers also stood out.
1. Just as in my first reading, I didn't see anything that would give us Luther's view of sanctification. I don't think it's here. The same passages stuck out on pages 60 and 64. From my understanding, this Luther (of 1520) doesn't think we need to be sanctified (or better, this wasn't a real category for him?). Why? Assuming something like a framework of Platonic dualism, Luther thinks the soul is already made completely perfect in Christ by faith so sanctification is not needed. He admits that the body, however, is still sinful but you can't do much about it until the last day except for "keeping it under control" (62). I'm afraid we are still suffering the consequences of this incomplete picture of salvation; but not without hope.
2. The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. Given his context, Luther had immense courage to put this forward (and thank God!). In the mediaeval church, priesthood was relegated to a select few. Thus, the presence of God was relegated to a select few. Against this, Luther asserts from 1 Peter 2:9 that “The little word ‘priest,’ ‘parson,’ ‘cleric,’ and the like is misused if it is taken away from the common people and attributed to a small group that is called the spiritual estate” (54). Luther's lament is potent as he declares that because of this thievery “the entire Christian understanding of grace, freedom, faith and everything we have in Christ, even Christ himself, is taken away” (55). Wow!!!! In a very real sense, Luther "gave Jesus back" to the lay people. Although Luther was excommunicated a year later, thank God the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers prevailed.
First read review
I wonder if our contemporary division between faith and obedience has stemmed (without Luther's intention) from Luther's influential theology of salvation by faith alone. His desire to address how one is "saved" by faith forced him to make strong distinctions between faith and works, but this emerged from his historical context. Nevertheless, his writing has been a healing balm to people of his own time (and ours!)—we are indeed saved by God's gift of grace in Christ, not our own works. Praise God! (Bonhoeffer who draws from Luther re-marries faith and works in his notion of "costly grace" which I find very helpful for my own thinking.)
I would like to understand Brother Marty's theology of sanctification more. He says that good works can't sanctify us, only faith can do that (64). But what does that even mean? Also, a few paragraphs before he says that good works (fasting, vigils, work, etc.) help to conform the body to the "inner person and faith" (60). Is this hinting at some idea of sanctification? I understand that Luther sees obedience and good works as a "joyful response" of faith in God, but do those works also have a role in our sanctification? Or, for Luther, do we even need to be sanctified? If not, then, what about indwelling sin (as we experience it in our daily lives)?
October 6, 2017
In 1520, three years after posting his famous theses, Luther was still a monk in the Catholic Church. It was then that he wrote this short manifesto regarding the nature of the freedom of a Christian. In it he elucidates some of the principles that would become the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. He opens with a discussion of "man's twofold nature" of the inner spiritual nature or the soul and the outer bodily nature of the flesh. These two natures are in conflict for it is the inner nature or soul that is fed by the preaching of Christ that makes it righteous. He also discusses the seeming contradiction that the Christian is both free and subject to no one while at the same time in bondage and servant to all.
This short but rich text also brings out the importance of each individual being his own priest; thus laying the foundation for the doctrine of the "priesthood of all believers". I was impressed with Luther's style of argument, for he argued from the text of the Bible rather than from his unsupported views. In doing so he was able to rationally support statements that seemed contradictory on the surface. Admittedly the arguments depended on your acceptance of the divinity of the Bible as God's word. However, for Luther and his audience this was not an issue.
Luther had been concerned with edicts by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church that had no biblical support. It is likely that with this in mind that on September 6, 1520 he sent this manifesto with a letter to Pope Leo X. However the Catholic hierarchy was not be responsive to Luther's arguments. In the following year he was called to appear before the Diet of Worms and was declared a heretic.
This short but rich text also brings out the importance of each individual being his own priest; thus laying the foundation for the doctrine of the "priesthood of all believers". I was impressed with Luther's style of argument, for he argued from the text of the Bible rather than from his unsupported views. In doing so he was able to rationally support statements that seemed contradictory on the surface. Admittedly the arguments depended on your acceptance of the divinity of the Bible as God's word. However, for Luther and his audience this was not an issue.
Luther had been concerned with edicts by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church that had no biblical support. It is likely that with this in mind that on September 6, 1520 he sent this manifesto with a letter to Pope Leo X. However the Catholic hierarchy was not be responsive to Luther's arguments. In the following year he was called to appear before the Diet of Worms and was declared a heretic.
January 11, 2025
5+ ⭐️ This is an astonishing treatise that I will need to read and meditate on for years to come.
“But just as faith makes a person upright, so it also produces good works. Thus, works do not make a person upright, and the person must be upright before he does the work. Thus, it is clear that only faith, on the basis of pure grace through Christ and his word, makes a person completely upright and saves him. No work, no command is necessary for a Christian for salvation, but the Christian is free from all commands. On the basis of pure freedom, without any thought of gain, he does everything that he does, seeking neither benefit nor salvation. For he already has everything that he needs, and is saved through his faith and God‘s grace. No, indeed he wants only to do what is pleasing to God.”
“But just as faith makes a person upright, so it also produces good works. Thus, works do not make a person upright, and the person must be upright before he does the work. Thus, it is clear that only faith, on the basis of pure grace through Christ and his word, makes a person completely upright and saves him. No work, no command is necessary for a Christian for salvation, but the Christian is free from all commands. On the basis of pure freedom, without any thought of gain, he does everything that he does, seeking neither benefit nor salvation. For he already has everything that he needs, and is saved through his faith and God‘s grace. No, indeed he wants only to do what is pleasing to God.”
October 18, 2024
Although Luther’s challenge to Church authority should be fun, I can’t enjoy his doctrinaire insistence on faith alone or its tacit dismissal of reason.
October 6, 2024
I’m freeeeeeeee
September 5, 2023
This short book is the kind I could wish upon every Christian, accompanied by time to methodically contemplate its life giving, freeing, salvific truth.
He beautifully, succinctly and clearly teaches that our justification is by faith alone in the righteousness of Christ alone and to believe we are justified or can cause God to love us because of our works is a great evil.
His description of a king making a vow of marriage to a whore is exceedingly useful; and, the analogy of Adam and Eve prior to the fall being righteous but doing good just out of their love for God was enlightening and, I hope, not soon to be forgotten by this reader
I cannot recommend this brief work too highly and the letter he wrote to the Pope where he gifts him this treatise is fascinating on several levels.
Would be an excellent book to discuss in a group.
He beautifully, succinctly and clearly teaches that our justification is by faith alone in the righteousness of Christ alone and to believe we are justified or can cause God to love us because of our works is a great evil.
His description of a king making a vow of marriage to a whore is exceedingly useful; and, the analogy of Adam and Eve prior to the fall being righteous but doing good just out of their love for God was enlightening and, I hope, not soon to be forgotten by this reader
I cannot recommend this brief work too highly and the letter he wrote to the Pope where he gifts him this treatise is fascinating on several levels.
Would be an excellent book to discuss in a group.
December 6, 2023
Amazing! I could not put this book down. I loved that Luther started with “let us examine the subject on a deeper and less simple principle.” Luther did an incredible job of displaying justification by faith alone, while simultaneously showing that works come out of an overflow of faith to please God & serve one’s neighbor. He has lots of great illustrations. This book stirred up a deeper affection for the Lord & restored gratitude for the precious gifts Christ has given to us. And it’s only then through our faith that we get to experience these to their fullness.
“On the other hand, what greater rebellion, impiety, or insult to God can there be, than not to believe His promises? What else is this, than either to make God a liar, or to doubt His truth that is, to attribute truth to ourselves, but to God falsehood and levity? In doing this, is not a man denying God and setting himself up as an idol in his own heart?”
“On the other hand, what greater rebellion, impiety, or insult to God can there be, than not to believe His promises? What else is this, than either to make God a liar, or to doubt His truth that is, to attribute truth to ourselves, but to God falsehood and levity? In doing this, is not a man denying God and setting himself up as an idol in his own heart?”
February 14, 2025
Second Reading (2025): Wow!
First Reading (2022): Quintessential Luther
First Reading (2022): Quintessential Luther
October 1, 2025
A fine new edition of this classic text.
July 22, 2024
This guy should find a printing press 👀
March 28, 2025
“What is more, we are also completely ignorant of our very name, why we are Christians and bear that name…” (102)
Luther’s concluding christological analogy struck me as absolutely emblematic of the Reformation. The Reformation is not just tweaking of a few doctrines here and there; it is an absolute reforming of what it means to be Christian down to the very definition of the word itself. I of course enjoyed Luther’s sly gibing in the peroratio. To the man who has squeezed Germany with criminal indulgences, Luther has the snarky sang-froid to mock apologize for “meagreness” of his track in the following manner, “ Poor man that I am, I have nothing else to present to you.” What Leo X probably didn’t appreciate was that On The Freedom of the Christian was and is one of the most valuable, influential tracts ever produced.
Something I think that should have been addressed was the role of works in strengthening faith. Is it not true from experience that diligence has the natural effect of causing one to love more the object of diligence? Sure faith must be a precursor to works, but perhaps there is a more complex reciprocal relationship to it than Luther explicates in his tract.
Luther’s concluding christological analogy struck me as absolutely emblematic of the Reformation. The Reformation is not just tweaking of a few doctrines here and there; it is an absolute reforming of what it means to be Christian down to the very definition of the word itself. I of course enjoyed Luther’s sly gibing in the peroratio. To the man who has squeezed Germany with criminal indulgences, Luther has the snarky sang-froid to mock apologize for “meagreness” of his track in the following manner, “ Poor man that I am, I have nothing else to present to you.” What Leo X probably didn’t appreciate was that On The Freedom of the Christian was and is one of the most valuable, influential tracts ever produced.
Something I think that should have been addressed was the role of works in strengthening faith. Is it not true from experience that diligence has the natural effect of causing one to love more the object of diligence? Sure faith must be a precursor to works, but perhaps there is a more complex reciprocal relationship to it than Luther explicates in his tract.
January 31, 2021
Luther is a profoundly influential thinker in the history of the West, kickstarting the Reformation that led to greater literacy in Europe, the widespread formation and appreciation of the democratic system of government, and the significance of individual liberty. I would be remiss not to state that I valued his attention to faith as a virtue that must be recognized and cherished. In spite of religious affiliation, Luther keenly reminds us that we are consistently acting upon an entire slough of unrationalized presuppositions. Although the pursuit of rationalizing these presuppositions is a noble and worthy cause, we must not be too heedless to think through the total rationalization of existence, for we are always putting blind trust in something. Luther has reminded me of Lewis, particularly his statement that reason is the instrument that builds upon faith, the component that represents the essential presuppositions that we inevitably trust in as humans. Nevertheless, this read brought me back to high school, those days defined by oddities and ignorances. I’ll now yield to prima scriptura rather than sola scriptura, deviating from my former view of ecclesiological authority.
February 7, 2024
"Thus, though we ought boldly to resist those teachers of tradition, and though the laws of the pontiffs, by which they make aggressions on the people of God, deserve sharp reproof, yet we must spare the timid crowd, who are held captive by the laws of those impious tyrants, till they are set free. Fight vigorously against the wolves, but on behalf of the sheep, not against the sheep."
November 4, 2024
In dit kleine boekje klopt naast het vurige hart van Luther het hart van het evangelie. Een pareltje van blijvende waarde.
April 7, 2025
Amazing and concise work on the basic distinctions of law and gospel, works and faith.
January 26, 2020
Incredibly readable and accessible! A clear straightforward defense on faith alone. All the notes and side columns provide context and are very helpful.
January 28, 2022
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NRSV)
“My beloved is mine and I am his…”
- Song of Songs 2:16 (NRSV)
***
I have been laid waste—opened, gutted, and sewn together again with the threads of grace, life, and salvation—by Luther’s gospel of justification by faith alone. Few spiritual readings have so tenderized my heart than Luther’s Freedom of a Christian, a gospel manifesto whose ink sings from the page of Christ’s work on the cross, and the righteousness he imparts to us in our spiritual marriage. And it is this spiritual marriage to Christ that so captures me.
The gospel is God's proposal to us. In the incarnation, Christ kneels in front of us--us, who are marred by the stain of sin and unable to love God and neighbor as we want--and presents us the ring of faith. Christ then whispers to the ears of our hearts, "What's mine is yours; what's yours is mine. Do you trust this truth?" Upon hearing this we fall into His arms and abandon all vain works of the flesh and all histories of who we once were. I, who was a lowly prostitute, cast into outer darkness, have been wed to Christ the King. I am now Christ's Queen, and all that belongs to him belongs to me. I now live and reign with God in His kingdom. This means that God cannot love me any less than He loves Jesus, or love Jesus any less than He loves me.
Do you believe this?
You, in accepting the ring of faith, are made one flesh with the Lord of Heavens! His storehouse--which holds the keys to death and hades, as well as blessings, peace, hope, and love--has been opened to you! Receive, then, good Christian, every gift that has been imputed to you in Christ's justifying work on the cross.
This is how Luther says it:
“If they [Christ and the believer] are one flesh [in marriage],…then it follows that all they have becomes theirs in common, as well good things as evil things, so that whatsoever Christ possesses, that the believing soul may take to itself and boast of its own, and whatever belongs to that soul, that Christ claims as his.
Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation; the soul is full of sin, death, and condemnation. Let faith step in, and then sin, death, and hell will belong to Christ, and grace, life, and salvation to the soul. For, if he is a husband, he must needs take to himself that which is his wife’s, and, at the same time, impart to his wife that which is his. For, in giving her his own body and himself, how can he but give her all that is his? And, in taking to himself the body of his wife, how can he but take to himself all that is hers?
For since Christ is God and man, and is such a person as neither has sinned, nor dies, nor is condemned—nay, cannot sin, die, or be condemned; and since his righteousness, life, and salvation are invincible, eternal, and almighty; when, I say, such a person, by the wedding-ring of faith, takes a share in the sins, death, and hell of his wife, nay, makes them his own, and deals with them no otherwise than as if they were his, and as if he himself had sinned, and when he suffers, dies, and descends to hell, that he may overcome all things, since sin, death, and hell cannot swallow him up, they must needs be swallowed up by him in stupendous conflict. For his righteousness rises above the sins of all men; his life is more powerful than all death; his salvation is more unconquerable than all hell. Thus the believing soul, by the pledge of its faith in Christ, becomes free from all sin, fearless of death, safe from hell, and endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of its husband Christ...It is impossible now that her sins should destroy her, since they have been laid upon Christ and swallowed up in him, and since she has in her husband Christ a righteousness which she may claim as her own, and which she can set up with confidence against all her sins, against death and hell, saying, ‘If I have sinned, my Christ, in whom I believe, has not sinned; all mine is his, and all his is mine’”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NRSV)
“My beloved is mine and I am his…”
- Song of Songs 2:16 (NRSV)
***
I have been laid waste—opened, gutted, and sewn together again with the threads of grace, life, and salvation—by Luther’s gospel of justification by faith alone. Few spiritual readings have so tenderized my heart than Luther’s Freedom of a Christian, a gospel manifesto whose ink sings from the page of Christ’s work on the cross, and the righteousness he imparts to us in our spiritual marriage. And it is this spiritual marriage to Christ that so captures me.
The gospel is God's proposal to us. In the incarnation, Christ kneels in front of us--us, who are marred by the stain of sin and unable to love God and neighbor as we want--and presents us the ring of faith. Christ then whispers to the ears of our hearts, "What's mine is yours; what's yours is mine. Do you trust this truth?" Upon hearing this we fall into His arms and abandon all vain works of the flesh and all histories of who we once were. I, who was a lowly prostitute, cast into outer darkness, have been wed to Christ the King. I am now Christ's Queen, and all that belongs to him belongs to me. I now live and reign with God in His kingdom. This means that God cannot love me any less than He loves Jesus, or love Jesus any less than He loves me.
Do you believe this?
You, in accepting the ring of faith, are made one flesh with the Lord of Heavens! His storehouse--which holds the keys to death and hades, as well as blessings, peace, hope, and love--has been opened to you! Receive, then, good Christian, every gift that has been imputed to you in Christ's justifying work on the cross.
This is how Luther says it:
“If they [Christ and the believer] are one flesh [in marriage],…then it follows that all they have becomes theirs in common, as well good things as evil things, so that whatsoever Christ possesses, that the believing soul may take to itself and boast of its own, and whatever belongs to that soul, that Christ claims as his.
Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation; the soul is full of sin, death, and condemnation. Let faith step in, and then sin, death, and hell will belong to Christ, and grace, life, and salvation to the soul. For, if he is a husband, he must needs take to himself that which is his wife’s, and, at the same time, impart to his wife that which is his. For, in giving her his own body and himself, how can he but give her all that is his? And, in taking to himself the body of his wife, how can he but take to himself all that is hers?
For since Christ is God and man, and is such a person as neither has sinned, nor dies, nor is condemned—nay, cannot sin, die, or be condemned; and since his righteousness, life, and salvation are invincible, eternal, and almighty; when, I say, such a person, by the wedding-ring of faith, takes a share in the sins, death, and hell of his wife, nay, makes them his own, and deals with them no otherwise than as if they were his, and as if he himself had sinned, and when he suffers, dies, and descends to hell, that he may overcome all things, since sin, death, and hell cannot swallow him up, they must needs be swallowed up by him in stupendous conflict. For his righteousness rises above the sins of all men; his life is more powerful than all death; his salvation is more unconquerable than all hell. Thus the believing soul, by the pledge of its faith in Christ, becomes free from all sin, fearless of death, safe from hell, and endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of its husband Christ...It is impossible now that her sins should destroy her, since they have been laid upon Christ and swallowed up in him, and since she has in her husband Christ a righteousness which she may claim as her own, and which she can set up with confidence against all her sins, against death and hell, saying, ‘If I have sinned, my Christ, in whom I believe, has not sinned; all mine is his, and all his is mine’”
July 29, 2012
I worshipped at a Lutheran church for almost four years and yet never read this. I’m glad I finally did, even though I am no longer a Lutheran. It really helped me to better understand the doctrine of “justification by faith and not by works,” and I appreciated the distinction Luther was careful to make between works and a *belief in* works and his insistence that ceremonies and rituals, though not salvific, are of immense value: “Hence in the Christian life ceremonies are to be no otherwise looked upon than as builders and workmen look upon those preparations for building or working which are not made with any view of being permanent or anything in themselves, but only because without them there could be no building and no work. When the structure is completed, they are laid aside. Here you see that we do not contemn these preparations, but set the highest value on them.” I also appreciated his emphasis on taking the middle ground between a laxity towards works on the one hand and a tyrannical belief in works on the other. Today, Lutherans and Catholics are not as far apart on this doctrine as they once were, and they have put forth a joint declaration on the doctrine of justification. Luther never intended to start a new church, but to reform an existing one, and yet he succeeded in doing both.
This little volume also helped me to make better sense of the seeming contradiction between the points of views of the apostles James and Paul, though I still find their perspectives on faith, works, and justification difficult to reconcile with one another.
As far as Luther's writing is concerned, he turns some good phrases here and there, but is a bit repetitive and sometimes dull, and it’s almost comical the way he insists to the Pope, basically, “Hey, I’m not criticizing you. I respect you. You and I are tight. It’s just…why don’t you control your whore of a church? But I totally respect you, pimp. I don't know why people suggest I'm insulting you, pimp.”
This little volume also helped me to make better sense of the seeming contradiction between the points of views of the apostles James and Paul, though I still find their perspectives on faith, works, and justification difficult to reconcile with one another.
As far as Luther's writing is concerned, he turns some good phrases here and there, but is a bit repetitive and sometimes dull, and it’s almost comical the way he insists to the Pope, basically, “Hey, I’m not criticizing you. I respect you. You and I are tight. It’s just…why don’t you control your whore of a church? But I totally respect you, pimp. I don't know why people suggest I'm insulting you, pimp.”
November 6, 2024
“A Christian is a free lord over everything and subject to no one. [and yet] A Christian is a willing servant to everything and subject to everyone.”
An accessible and gripping book from Luther!
Can see how it’s easily a classic.
In short, Luther’s wrote this in 1520 to provide theological and practical reasons for how good works function in the Christian life, if justification by grace alone through faith alone on account Christ’s works alone is actually true.
In essence, it’s 86 pages of white-hot gospel exposition on the themes of Romans 6 & Titus 3: since Christ has freed the Christian from the law as a covenant to fulfill for salvation by fulfilling it himself, the Christian is “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ….and thus a slave to righteousness” (Rom 6).
Therefore, he’s so unimaginably free that he is to strive and toil for good works, not that he may in anyway be made right before God or proven to be saved, but in order that the God who lavishingly saved him would be honored and that his neighbor would be loved, cared for, and served. Pure and simple.
For Luther, Christ is the ultimate example of such, since he was free of all sin (the same as the Christian now before God’s throne) and yet willingly made himself a servant of everyone for their good
“God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does”
A must read for every believer!
An accessible and gripping book from Luther!
Can see how it’s easily a classic.
In short, Luther’s wrote this in 1520 to provide theological and practical reasons for how good works function in the Christian life, if justification by grace alone through faith alone on account Christ’s works alone is actually true.
In essence, it’s 86 pages of white-hot gospel exposition on the themes of Romans 6 & Titus 3: since Christ has freed the Christian from the law as a covenant to fulfill for salvation by fulfilling it himself, the Christian is “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ….and thus a slave to righteousness” (Rom 6).
Therefore, he’s so unimaginably free that he is to strive and toil for good works, not that he may in anyway be made right before God or proven to be saved, but in order that the God who lavishingly saved him would be honored and that his neighbor would be loved, cared for, and served. Pure and simple.
For Luther, Christ is the ultimate example of such, since he was free of all sin (the same as the Christian now before God’s throne) and yet willingly made himself a servant of everyone for their good
“God doesn’t need your good works, but your neighbor does”
A must read for every believer!
April 27, 2012
An excellent short introduction to Luther. His thesis here concerns a sacred mystery: “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.” In pursuing this paradox, Luther distinguishes true Christianity from lax liberalism on the one hand, and the oppressive dogmatism of Catholicism on the other. Carrying out this argument, of course, he promotes with characteristic boldness his vision of justification by faith alone.
Of secondary interest, there are a few very brief passages near the center of the book that will jump out at anyone curious about Luther, including: his vestigial Mariology, his criticism of the 16th-century equivalent of Christ-as-life-coach preaching, and his express disapproval of anyone using the Gospel to stir up anger against Jews.
Also, the book begins with an introductory letter of several pages which was presented with the book to Pope Leo X. The letter contains more than a few surprises for any reader resisting the temptation to skip ahead to Luther’s treatise.
Of secondary interest, there are a few very brief passages near the center of the book that will jump out at anyone curious about Luther, including: his vestigial Mariology, his criticism of the 16th-century equivalent of Christ-as-life-coach preaching, and his express disapproval of anyone using the Gospel to stir up anger against Jews.
Also, the book begins with an introductory letter of several pages which was presented with the book to Pope Leo X. The letter contains more than a few surprises for any reader resisting the temptation to skip ahead to Luther’s treatise.
January 1, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ — Solid gospel doctrine in here, but pretty repetitive. He hammers the same point over and over again as he is trying to work through the relationship between faith and works in the Christian life.
The most helpful part of this short book for me was point 22. Luther uses the analogy of Adam and Eve’s life in the garden before the fall to explain the freedom of a Christian to perform good works not on the basis of earning but on the basis of the righteousness that has been given to him freely from God through faith.
“In like manner, the works of a believer, which are performed by faith, place a person once again in paradise. Such a person is a new creation, who needs no works to become upright. But at the same time he dare not be indolent and must discipline and take care of his body. Such freely performed works, done only to do what is pleasing to God, are [what is] commanded.”
The most helpful part of this short book for me was point 22. Luther uses the analogy of Adam and Eve’s life in the garden before the fall to explain the freedom of a Christian to perform good works not on the basis of earning but on the basis of the righteousness that has been given to him freely from God through faith.
“In like manner, the works of a believer, which are performed by faith, place a person once again in paradise. Such a person is a new creation, who needs no works to become upright. But at the same time he dare not be indolent and must discipline and take care of his body. Such freely performed works, done only to do what is pleasing to God, are [what is] commanded.”
October 23, 2012
Straight to the source. It seems that most reformed theologians bend over backwards to avoid admitting that works have anything do to at all with the Christian walk, while the more ancient and liturgical faiths do the same in regards to anything that has the slightest smack of antinomianism. Luther's treatise here on Faith Alone is the most concise summary and explanation of the doctrine, and it does well to rightfully comment on the necessity of works without relegating them to the dustbin of Romanism or legalism.
Short, sweet, and clear.
Short, sweet, and clear.
February 23, 2023
This is a great little book. One of the true classics of Christian literature, and certainly for a reason. The entire book feels like Luther’s version of the Sermon on the Mount. It offers foundational wisdom and reminders for living the Christian life. The translation in this new edition is outstanding. It is very comprehensible yet still feels to be very accurate to the original text. Very well done!
November 30, 2017
Amazing. Martin Luther's arguments have both beauty and clarity.
August 3, 2023
“A Christian is a free Lord of everything and subject to no one.
A Christian is a willing servant of everything and subject to everyone.”
What a gem this little book is.
A Christian is a willing servant of everything and subject to everyone.”
What a gem this little book is.
July 20, 2025
Ich mag Luther. Befreiend und erfrischend forsch. Bleibt wahrscheinlich immer aktuell als Kontrast zu den ganzen „Christentum als Lebensgestaltung“, „Christentum als Weltveränderung“ oder „Christentum als verinnerlichte Seelenheilung“ Narrativen.
„Ich rate dir aber, willst du etwas stiften, beten, fasten, so tu es nicht in der Meinung, daß du wollest dir etwas Gutes tun, sondern gib's dahin frei, daß andere Leute desselben genießen können, und tu es ihnen zu gut, so bist du ein rechter Christ. Was willst du mit einem Überfluß an Gütern und guten Werken, um damit deinen Leib zu regieren und zu versorgen, da du doch genug hast am Glauben, darin dir Gott alle Dinge gegeben hat? Siehe, so müssen Gottes Güter fließen aus einem in den anderen und gemeinsam werden, daß ein jeglicher sich seines Nächsten so annehme, als wäre er's selbst. Aus Christo fließen sie in uns, der sich unser hat angenommen in seinem Leben, als wäre er das gewesen, was wir sind. Aus uns sollen sie fließen in die, so ihrer bedürfen. Und zwar so sehr, daß ich muß auch meinen Glauben und Gerechtigkeit für meinen Nächsten vor Gott hingeben, seine Sünden zu decken auf mich nehmen und nicht anders tun, denn als wären sie mein eigen, eben wie Christus uns allen getan hat. …
Aus dem allen folget der Beschluß, daß ein Christenmensch lebt nicht in sich selbst, sondern in Christo und seinem Nächsten, in Christo durch den Glauben, im Nächsten durch die Liebe.“
„Ich rate dir aber, willst du etwas stiften, beten, fasten, so tu es nicht in der Meinung, daß du wollest dir etwas Gutes tun, sondern gib's dahin frei, daß andere Leute desselben genießen können, und tu es ihnen zu gut, so bist du ein rechter Christ. Was willst du mit einem Überfluß an Gütern und guten Werken, um damit deinen Leib zu regieren und zu versorgen, da du doch genug hast am Glauben, darin dir Gott alle Dinge gegeben hat? Siehe, so müssen Gottes Güter fließen aus einem in den anderen und gemeinsam werden, daß ein jeglicher sich seines Nächsten so annehme, als wäre er's selbst. Aus Christo fließen sie in uns, der sich unser hat angenommen in seinem Leben, als wäre er das gewesen, was wir sind. Aus uns sollen sie fließen in die, so ihrer bedürfen. Und zwar so sehr, daß ich muß auch meinen Glauben und Gerechtigkeit für meinen Nächsten vor Gott hingeben, seine Sünden zu decken auf mich nehmen und nicht anders tun, denn als wären sie mein eigen, eben wie Christus uns allen getan hat. …
Aus dem allen folget der Beschluß, daß ein Christenmensch lebt nicht in sich selbst, sondern in Christo und seinem Nächsten, in Christo durch den Glauben, im Nächsten durch die Liebe.“
April 1, 2025
"Concerning Christian Liberty," written by Martin Luther to the Pope in 1520, is an interesting read. Luther expounds on the classic arguments of the Protestant Reformation, including sola Scriptura, justification by faith alone, and the powerlessness of works in our path to salvation. Originally written in German, its deep meaning and formal vocabulary make it a challenging read.
Short and to the point, it incorporates many Bible verses to support its arguments. Luther can be very dogmatic at times, calling Rome "worse than Babylon and Sodom" and asserting that, should the Antichrist appear, he would be unable to add further evil to the Roman Catholic Church.
Still, even though it wasn't a page-turner, it was an enjoyable read. Even when I disagreed with Luther, I appreciated learning about his reasoning, his thought process, and the motivations of this giant in the Christian faith.
Short and to the point, it incorporates many Bible verses to support its arguments. Luther can be very dogmatic at times, calling Rome "worse than Babylon and Sodom" and asserting that, should the Antichrist appear, he would be unable to add further evil to the Roman Catholic Church.
Still, even though it wasn't a page-turner, it was an enjoyable read. Even when I disagreed with Luther, I appreciated learning about his reasoning, his thought process, and the motivations of this giant in the Christian faith.
March 3, 2025
Oh my... This was the first I've read from Luther, but it certainly now will not be the last.
Luther's expositing of Scripture is incredibly impressive, and he presents both plainly and beautifully the gospel of Jesus Christ and its benefits to the believer. His work on union with Christ is amazing, and was a massive help to my understanding of the function and beauty of the doctrine. I can see why the Roman catholic church and their view of infused righteousness were snubbed, offended, and angered by Luther--he leaves absolutely no room for human merit in the accomplishment of salvation from and payment of sin!
This work is altogether beautiful, insightful, well-constructed, and genuinely beneficial to my understanding of the FREEDOM that is found in Christ alone.
Luther's expositing of Scripture is incredibly impressive, and he presents both plainly and beautifully the gospel of Jesus Christ and its benefits to the believer. His work on union with Christ is amazing, and was a massive help to my understanding of the function and beauty of the doctrine. I can see why the Roman catholic church and their view of infused righteousness were snubbed, offended, and angered by Luther--he leaves absolutely no room for human merit in the accomplishment of salvation from and payment of sin!
This work is altogether beautiful, insightful, well-constructed, and genuinely beneficial to my understanding of the FREEDOM that is found in Christ alone.
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