Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional

by Martin Luther, James C. Galvin

Timeless insights from one of the most important people in church history. Some people value good works so much that they overlook faith in Christ. Faith should be first.… It is faith—without good works and prior to good works—that takes us to heaven. We come to God through faith alone. —Martin Luther Resounding across the centuries, Martin Luther’s prolific writings as a pastor, theologian, scholar, Bible translator, father, and more, remain powerful and richly relevant. Faith Alone is a treasury of accessible devotionals taken from Luther’s best writings and sermons from the years 1513 through 1546. This carefully updated translation retains the meaning, tone, and imagery of Luther’s works. Through daily readings, Luther’s straightforward approach challenges you to a more thoughtful faith. Read one brief section a day or explore themes using the subject index in the back of the book. Faith Alone will deepen your understanding of Scripture and help you more fully appreciate the mystery of faith.

Genres: Devotional, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Christianity

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Neil Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick book of Daily devotions. I still read this, now working on my second time around. Take 5 minutes each morning and get your day of right.

[Rod Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best devotional I've ever owned. Usually one uses a yearly devotional for a year and then starts another. I used this one 3 years in a row. Luther had the concept of God's grace down better than any theologian I know of. If only we could even begin to grasp it as well.
I highly recommend this if you want a better understanding of grace but don't want to muddle your way through a bunch of theology books, Though that's probably the best way to understand the development of the modern view.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A daily devotional reader culled from the sermons and letters of Martin Luther. This book is chock-full of the clear thinking and astute scriptural analysis we've come to expect from Luther. Each page has a verse up top, followed by several paragraphs from one of Luther's writings. You can go day-by-day or use the handy index by topic (some examples are death, love, patience).

By Faith Alone works well as a booster shot of faith as we face each day in this fallen world.

[Hulda Gilca]

“The True Way to Christianity
Now, the true way to Christianity is this: that a man first acknowledges himself to be a sinner by the Law, and that it is impossible for him to do any good work. For the Law says, “A corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Mat 7:17); that is, you are an evil tree, and there- fore all that you think, speak, or do is against God. You cannot therefore deserve grace by your works, which if you go about to do, you double your offence—for since you are an evil tree, you cannot but bring forth evil fruits, that is to say, sins. “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 14:23). Wherefore, he that would deserve grace by works going before faith goes about to please God with sins, which is nothing else but to heap sin upon sin, to mock God, and to provoke His wrath. When a man is thus taught and instructed by the Law, then he is terrified and humbled, then he sees indeed the greatness of his sin and cannot find in himself one spark of the love of God. Therefore, he justifies God in His word and confesses that he is guilty of death and eternal damnation. The first part of Christiani- ty, then, is the preaching of repentance and the knowledge.”

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, not sure how to rate this. Some good some bad. Wouldn't reread or recommend.

[Rev Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never read Luther, this daily devotional is a great place to start. The editor has complied a wonderful collection of Luther's teachings that are highly relevant to the 21st century life. Luther speaks the grace of Christ into our lives that is only surpassed by the Word of God. The readings are short and applicable. Spend a year with Luther to see the heart of the great reformer.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I respect the Lutheran Church and Martin Luther, I found very little that was helpful in this book. I looked forward to reading it but was sadly disappointed. Maybe it was the translator's fault.

[Despond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good nuggets from Luther's writings for devotional times. Good for single use, unless you like to reread.

[Frode · Rating 3 out of 5]

On December 31st, I read the last daily devotion in Faith Alone. It is a devotional taken from the writings and sermons of Martin Luther. Each day there is a title, a Scripture, and then three to five paragraphs from Luther, translated into English of course. The Bible used is the NIV.

Since there were 365 of these, they varied widely. The topics ranged from Angels to Worship. At the back of the book is a subject index. Along with that is an index to other editions. This allows those so inclined to locate the reading in its original context. The American Edition is in English, the German work is called the Saint Louis Edition. The index gives the day and then the volume and page or column in the editions. The devotional I read was edited by James C. Galvin.

At times Luther’s down to earth perspective comes through. Other times he is quite theological. It was a good mix, easy to read, sometimes thought-provoking, and overall a good daily devotional for a year.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The credo addressed by Martin Luther has been a resounding “by faith alone.” This main belief is the backbone of Lutheran faith taught by Luther who became the founder of the Protestant movement. This book is really a compiled collection of Luther’s sermons, writings, and papers. The central theme of this book is that faith not works is what gets us to heaven. Expecting to get to heaven based on your good deeds does not show the true faith of your heart. This was organized into a daily devotional so that it could be spread out for an entire year. This was translated from The original German. Theologians have used many of Luther’s writings contained within this book to shape churches and protestant denominations.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up Protestant, I've heard about Martin Luther all my life. It never occurred to me to read what he wrote until I came across this daily devotional on a Kindle deal. It's been fascinating and inspiring to read this book: now and then there are glimpses of the harshness and difficulties of daily life in that era, but 99% of the book is fully relevant today, and so clearly expressed. The Kindle formatting does not have page breaks which I find problematic, so I purchased a hardcover to use in the future.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this daily devotional as a birthday gift from a friend and decided to read it day by day over the last year. For me, the writings in this book have ranged from encouraging to powerful to curious. Sometimes, I thought Luther's voice lifted from context was a little disconnected. At other times, I thought lifting Luther out of his own times and circumstances was an oddity in 21st century America. But I found this year with Luther to be helpful in focusing my mind and heart on Christ and his gospel.

[Taylor Rollo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to Luther's sermons in particular, since those are read much less than his pamphlets and books. They are spiritually helpful, though there is no real structure to the order, at least none that is discernable. The devos are really short, which may make it ideal for you or supplemental to something else.

Overall, a fine year-long set of devotions, but it would not be my first choice (or second or third really).

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great devotional. I appreciated getting familiar with Martin Luther's sermons and writings with a small sample each day. Furthermore, these samples were chosen by a panel of pastors, which means that each selection was vetted for Biblical accuracy, and any of Luther's non-biblical views were cut out. I would definitely recommend!

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, daily remarks from Luther. It changes the characterization of Luther as a whole (mainly, the Luther towards the end of his life) into a far more generous man. And, as expected, nice interpretations and interactions with the Scriptures.

[Kendall Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little daily devotional with one page excerpts from Luther's works. My only real complaint is that this devo uses the "God's Word" translation which is super paraphrasey. Not that I have a problem with paraphrasey translations per se, but it was odd and out of place here.

[Lloyd Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luther's thoughts

Enjoyed this as a devotional as it gave me Luther's thoughts about God and our relationship with Him. Based on Luther's writings

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great devotional written by Martin Luther. Daily food for thought.

[Mary Matlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Devotion this past year

I enjoyed reading Luther’s writings as my devotion. Most reinforced my faith, though a few I would challenge Luther on.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very insightful having been written in the 1500's It seems life's challenges aren't so very different now than they were back then.

[Steve Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good devotional

I enjoyed this devotional. It helped start my day in a positive way. It also gave me an insight into some of Martin Luther's thinking.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle Luther in small bits. One for every day. A verse, then a couple paragraphs. I liked this.

[Cole Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best daily devotional I’ve read.

[Andrew Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short devotionals based around the topic of faith based off of Martin Luther’s own teachings. Great read to start or end your day!

[Dale Gustafson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day to day with Luther

Each day a new insight from Martin Luther. These are thought provoking words on the Christian life from a follower of Christ.

[Forked Radish]

I can't decide whether Luther was a raving loon or a great prophet. Six of one. . . ?

[Brad A. Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong Showing of Luther's Heart

Short daily blips demonstrate a pastoral and theological acumen. Highly recommended. Topics are somewhat synchronized with the calendar year. Excellent.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite book of daily devotional readings. Far from a literal translation of Luther, but it captures the meaning vividly.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing journey of the subject of faith. I recommend it.