In 1517, Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church, and ultimately altered the course of European history, when he nailed his «95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences» on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. At the time, Renaissance humanists were beginning to oppose the reign of the Church and the wealth it accrued from taxes and the sale of Indulgences to the people. A monk and a scholar, Luther intended to promote independent thinking with the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. He wanted people to read the words and understand God in terms of their own experience. Unsurprisingly, he was ordered by the pope to print a retraction, which he refused; he was ultimately excommunicated, and his action prompted the Protestant Reformation. This edition contains Martin Luther's «95 Theses», as well as the three other primary works of Martin Luther: «To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation Respecting the Reformation of the Christian Estate», «Concerning Christian Liberty», and «On the Babylonish Captivity of the Church».
Written in 1525 in response to the writings of Erasmus, “The Bondage of the Will” conveys Luther’s beliefs on the issue of free will during the Protestant Reformation. Because of the fall of man, he debates with Erasmus on whether or not human beings are free to decide on good or evil. He asserts in this well written and uniquely styled work that we are incapacitated by sin, and human beings must rely on the complete sovereignty of God to redeem us and bring about our salvation. Because man is dictated by Satan, he must be saved entirely by God, and this liberation should lead to the service of God. Considered a masterpiece of Reformation literature, Luther’s writing is a combination of deep theological thought with a gentle humor and a refreshing directness. Because of its primary position in Reformation doctrine, “The Bondage of the Will” is a vital link in understanding the ideas of Luther and his place in the Christian tradition. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
St. Paul’s “Epistle to the Galatians” is one of the most important of all Christian writings. The work was treasured by Martin Luther, the 15th century German priest, scholar, and father of the Protestant Reformation. For this reason, Luther delivered lectures on the “Epistle to the Galatians” in 1531 and published those lectures in 1535. The resulting “Commentary on Galatians” by Luther is widely regarded as one of the most important commentaries ever written on Christian faith and love. Deeply personal and at least in part autobiographical, Luther explains why St. Paul’s “Epistle to the Galatians” is so important and meaningful to both him and to the Christian faith. Paul’s “Epistle” and Luther’s “Commentary” have assured countless Christians of the superiority of the Bible over human reason, the perfection of Christ’s sacrifice and atonement through his death, and the essential doctrine of justification through faith alone as the foundation for all Christians. Moving and passionate, Luther expresses the strength and comfort that he has found in this faith. This masterpiece continues to remain as inspiring and important to Christians today in understanding their faith as it has been for the last five hundred years. Presented here is the condensed translation by Theodore Graebner. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
Collected together in this volume are the three of Martin Luther’s most important works: “The Ninety-Five Theses”, “On Christian Liberty”, and “Address to the Christian Nobility”. Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement and one of the most important figures in all of religious history puts forth his objections to the Catholic Church in these classic religious texts. “The Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences” is Martin Luther’s list of concerns on corruption in the Roman Catholic Church. This 1517 document has since been widely acknowledged as the catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. “On Christian Liberty” is Luther’s third major treatise in which he details his doctrines on justification by faith and the priesthood of all believers, and eventually expands on the concept of freedom through grace and its meaning for mankind. Finally in this collection we find the “Address to the Christian Nobility” which predates “On Christian Liberty” and further discusses the religious beliefs of Martin Luther. This collection of foundational works of the Protestant movement is essential reading for religious scholars and lay people alike. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
First published in 1529, Martin Luther’s “The Small Catechism” was written for the education of children in religious doctrine. It reviews The Ten Commandments, The Lord’s Prayer, the Sacraments of Baptism, the Alter and the Eucharist, along with other important religious and biblical tenets in a clear, concise and easy to understand format. It has long been considered as one of Martin’s most important writings and is seen as an authoritative text on the beliefs of the Lutheran Church. “The Small Catechism” was required reading for confirmation into the church for centuries. Luther distilled the Church’s teachings down to their most essential elements so that pastors and parents alike can pass the Lutheran doctrine and tradition down to the next generation. Remarkable for its wealth of information in a condensed and accessible form, Luther’s masterpiece of religious instruction has continued to provide guidance and answers to both the young and old. “The Small Catechism” remains an important and essential addition to any collection of religious literature, as well as a useful and practical daily prayer book for families and churches. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
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