Contemporary Versions
Heavy metal version
More traditional versions
Kid's versions
Showing posts with label Luther. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luther. Show all posts
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Various versions of A mighty fortress is our God
The hymn a mighty fortress is the theme hymn of the Reformation and the Lutheran Church for many years. Recently a number of musicians have taken on the challenge to produce different versions of this hymn. Following are 20 versions of A mighty Fortress is our God.
Contemporary Versions
Heavy metal version
More traditional versions
Contemporary Versions
Heavy metal version
More traditional versions
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Theology of the cross - 10 books
The theology of the cross is the significant theology of the Christian and Lutheran church. Following are 10 books relating to the Theology of the Cross
On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther's Heidelberg Disputation, 1518 (Theology) by Gerhard O. Forde
The book first clarifies the difference between a theology of glory and a theology of the cross and explains how each perspective shapes the very nature of being a theologian. The main body of the book provides commentary on the Heidelberg Disputation — the only complete analysis of this document currently available. Underlying Forde's exposition is the contention that one ought not speak of the theology of the cross as merely another item among a host of theological options; instead, one must pursue what it means to be a theologian of the cross and to look at all things through suffering and the cross.
Luther's Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther's Theological Breakthrough
by Alister E. McGrath
Luther's Theology of the Cross represents a fully revised and updated edition of the classic 1985 text that expands on the author's ongoing research and reflects 25 years of Luther scholarship.
Draws on advances in our understanding of the late medieval intellectual, cultural, and religious background of Luther's early development, and the nature of Luther's doctrine of justification (including the so-called 'Finnish' school), many of which have not yet been incorporated into Luther scholarship
Luther's 'theological breakthrough' continues to be of central importance to Reformation Studies and the development of Protestantism
Written by one of the world's leading Protestant theologians, who is an authority on the development of the doctrine of justification. His classic work Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification is now in its third edition (2005)
Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross: The Augustinianism of Martin Luther's Heidelberg Disputation and the Origins of Modern Philosophy of Religion by Marco Barone (Author), David J. Engelsma (Foreword)
"These theological paradoxes ... have been deduced well or poorly from St. Paul, the especially chosen vessel and instrument of Christ, and also from St. Augustine, his most trustworthy interpreter." These are some of Martin Luther's words that introduce his Heidelberg Disputation (1518), a collection of doctrinal theses that serves as a manifesto of Luther's theology. The German Reformer claimed that his theses were a faithful exposition not only of Pauline theology, but also of Augustine's doctrine of salvation. Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross is an unprecedented commentary of Luther's Heidelberg Disputation. Through a wide range of Augustinian texts, the author shows the accuracy of Luther's claim. Moreover, the work offers some original considerations that are of interest to both theology and philosophy. In the year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this volume is a lively and stimulating addition to the debate about the relationship between Augustine's soteriology and the theology of the Reformation.
The Theology of the Cross in Historical Perspective by Anna M. Madsen
The theology of the cross is indisputably a trendy concept today. Numerous seminars, books, and dissertations tackle the topic. But The Theology of the Cross in Historical Perspective demonstrates that theology of the cross is no passing fancy. Theologies of the cross appear at the beginnings of the church, in the sixteenth-century reformations of the church, and in the more contemporary modernization of the church. Without theologies of the cross, what the church is called to be and to preach becomes unclear. So then, what is the theology of the cross?
Anna Madsen surveys the theology of the cross in the thinking of Paul and Luther. She also outlines several important twentieth-century contributions to the subject. On the basis of her analysis, Madsen suggests that the theology of the cross reveals God to be found even in death. In death, after all, boundaries disappear. The theology of the cross assures Christians that God is present in the death of sin and in the realities of suffering and uncertainty. Given that it announces God's presence, the theology of the cross is ultimately a theology of grace, freedom, and trust.
The Theology of the Cross: Reflections on His Cross and Ours by Daniel M. Deutschlander (Author), Curtis A. Jahn (Editor), Design Pics (Illustrator)
The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is the true center of our salvation. Through a deep and compelling examination of Scripture, the author demonstrates that without Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we would be lost. However, because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we now have the promise of eternal life in heaven with him. This book also reminds us that since Christ first loved us in this way, it is now our joy to take up our own crosses daily and follow him.
Cross in Tensions: Luther's Theology of the Cross as Theologico-social Critique by Philip Ruge-Jones (Author)
Luther's theology of the cross is a direct critique of oppressive power relationships in his day. Luther's early thought challenges specific economic, political, social, ideological, and religious power dynamics; the cross confronts those who enjoy power, prestige, pomp, and profits at the expense of the poor. Ruge-Jones maps the power relationships that Luther's theology addressed and then turns to specific works that challenge established structures of his world. Luther's Latin texts undermine the ideological assumptions and presumptions that bolstered an opulent church and empire. Luther uses the cross of Christ to challenge what he called volatilem cogitatum, "knowledge that is prone to violence." His German writings (directed to a broader, more popular audience) focus this critique of human pretensions into an attack on systems of wealth, status, and power that refuse to look with compassion upon poor Mary, or upon the many domestic servants of Germany. God has respected the ones whom the world disrespects and has thus entered the world to turn it upside down. Also in the German writings, the Lord's Supper calls the powerful to enter into solidarity with the poor--suffering people to whom Christ has given himself. Finally, in his popular pamphlets, visual images show with graphic specificity that throughout his life Christ sought out solidarity with the least. These images contrast brutally with images of a church that has sold its soul to wealth, political influence, military power, and status.
What Has Wittenberg to Do with Azusa?: Luther's Theology of the Cross and Pentecostal Triumphalism by David J. Courey (Author)
Global Pentecostalism is a twenty-first century phenomenon. Yet in North America, where the movement was born, it has stalled. Courey uncovers the cause of this plateau in the triumphalism that is characteristic of both North American Protestantism and Pentecostalism. Through the identification of parallels between Martin Luther and contemporary Pentecostals, Courey detects in Luther's Theology of the Cross a potent remedy for this tension. Utilising this insight, Courey reflects on other faith traditions, and provides a counterpoint to the triumphalism that inhibits the development of Pentecostalism in North America and around the world.
This work comprises of three parts. The first is historical, charting the antecedents and development of Pentecostal triumphalism. The second is an experiment in historical theology, seeking basic resonances between Luther and early Pentecostals, and examining the Theology of the Cross as a means of probing Pentecostalism. The final section is an effort in constructive theology, applying the theologia crucis to some of the central aspects of Pentecostalism.
Theology of the Cross for the 21st Century by Authors Various (Author), Alberto L. Garcia (Editor), A. R. Victor Raj (Editor)
This book is a collection of essays that explore the significance of Martin Luther's theology of the cross within the context of the various world religions and philosophies. Each contributor describes and interprets this distinctive Lutheran understanding of grace with the worldview of a major tradition or system. The writing is scholarly, yet accessible for the discerning lay reader. Readers develop a renewed appreciation for the richness of the cross and the ways Luther's insights speak to different contexts.
Pastoral Care Under the Cross: God in the midst of suffering by Richard C. Eyer (Author)
Pastoral Care Under the Cross points to the cross as the paradigm for pastoral care when counseling suffering people. This book offers insight that is useful not only for pastors but also Christian counselors, chaplains, nurses, doctors, and social workers who interact with the elderly, dying, mourning, mentally ill, or depressed.
Theology of the Cross: The death of Jesus in the Pauline letters by Charles B Cousar (Author)
In Paul's epistles the crucifixion story reveals a God who is free and in no way bound by human categories or expectations. Yet God in Christ chooses to be engaged in the very depths of the human predicament. The message of the crucifixion is that God's power is manifested in weakness, not in strength. The author believes that this "weakness as strength" should be the focal point of the church's identity. However, a celebration of weakness is in complete opposition to traditional American beliefs in personal strength and a powerful church.
On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflections on Luther's Heidelberg Disputation, 1518 (Theology) by Gerhard O. Forde
The book first clarifies the difference between a theology of glory and a theology of the cross and explains how each perspective shapes the very nature of being a theologian. The main body of the book provides commentary on the Heidelberg Disputation — the only complete analysis of this document currently available. Underlying Forde's exposition is the contention that one ought not speak of the theology of the cross as merely another item among a host of theological options; instead, one must pursue what it means to be a theologian of the cross and to look at all things through suffering and the cross.
Luther's Theology of the Cross: Martin Luther's Theological Breakthrough
by Alister E. McGrath
Luther's Theology of the Cross represents a fully revised and updated edition of the classic 1985 text that expands on the author's ongoing research and reflects 25 years of Luther scholarship.
Draws on advances in our understanding of the late medieval intellectual, cultural, and religious background of Luther's early development, and the nature of Luther's doctrine of justification (including the so-called 'Finnish' school), many of which have not yet been incorporated into Luther scholarship
Luther's 'theological breakthrough' continues to be of central importance to Reformation Studies and the development of Protestantism
Written by one of the world's leading Protestant theologians, who is an authority on the development of the doctrine of justification. His classic work Iustitia Dei: A History of the Christian Doctrine of Justification is now in its third edition (2005)
Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross: The Augustinianism of Martin Luther's Heidelberg Disputation and the Origins of Modern Philosophy of Religion by Marco Barone (Author), David J. Engelsma (Foreword)
"These theological paradoxes ... have been deduced well or poorly from St. Paul, the especially chosen vessel and instrument of Christ, and also from St. Augustine, his most trustworthy interpreter." These are some of Martin Luther's words that introduce his Heidelberg Disputation (1518), a collection of doctrinal theses that serves as a manifesto of Luther's theology. The German Reformer claimed that his theses were a faithful exposition not only of Pauline theology, but also of Augustine's doctrine of salvation. Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross is an unprecedented commentary of Luther's Heidelberg Disputation. Through a wide range of Augustinian texts, the author shows the accuracy of Luther's claim. Moreover, the work offers some original considerations that are of interest to both theology and philosophy. In the year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this volume is a lively and stimulating addition to the debate about the relationship between Augustine's soteriology and the theology of the Reformation.
The Theology of the Cross in Historical Perspective by Anna M. Madsen
The theology of the cross is indisputably a trendy concept today. Numerous seminars, books, and dissertations tackle the topic. But The Theology of the Cross in Historical Perspective demonstrates that theology of the cross is no passing fancy. Theologies of the cross appear at the beginnings of the church, in the sixteenth-century reformations of the church, and in the more contemporary modernization of the church. Without theologies of the cross, what the church is called to be and to preach becomes unclear. So then, what is the theology of the cross?
Anna Madsen surveys the theology of the cross in the thinking of Paul and Luther. She also outlines several important twentieth-century contributions to the subject. On the basis of her analysis, Madsen suggests that the theology of the cross reveals God to be found even in death. In death, after all, boundaries disappear. The theology of the cross assures Christians that God is present in the death of sin and in the realities of suffering and uncertainty. Given that it announces God's presence, the theology of the cross is ultimately a theology of grace, freedom, and trust.
The Theology of the Cross: Reflections on His Cross and Ours by Daniel M. Deutschlander (Author), Curtis A. Jahn (Editor), Design Pics (Illustrator)
The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is the true center of our salvation. Through a deep and compelling examination of Scripture, the author demonstrates that without Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we would be lost. However, because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we now have the promise of eternal life in heaven with him. This book also reminds us that since Christ first loved us in this way, it is now our joy to take up our own crosses daily and follow him.
Cross in Tensions: Luther's Theology of the Cross as Theologico-social Critique by Philip Ruge-Jones (Author)
Luther's theology of the cross is a direct critique of oppressive power relationships in his day. Luther's early thought challenges specific economic, political, social, ideological, and religious power dynamics; the cross confronts those who enjoy power, prestige, pomp, and profits at the expense of the poor. Ruge-Jones maps the power relationships that Luther's theology addressed and then turns to specific works that challenge established structures of his world. Luther's Latin texts undermine the ideological assumptions and presumptions that bolstered an opulent church and empire. Luther uses the cross of Christ to challenge what he called volatilem cogitatum, "knowledge that is prone to violence." His German writings (directed to a broader, more popular audience) focus this critique of human pretensions into an attack on systems of wealth, status, and power that refuse to look with compassion upon poor Mary, or upon the many domestic servants of Germany. God has respected the ones whom the world disrespects and has thus entered the world to turn it upside down. Also in the German writings, the Lord's Supper calls the powerful to enter into solidarity with the poor--suffering people to whom Christ has given himself. Finally, in his popular pamphlets, visual images show with graphic specificity that throughout his life Christ sought out solidarity with the least. These images contrast brutally with images of a church that has sold its soul to wealth, political influence, military power, and status.
What Has Wittenberg to Do with Azusa?: Luther's Theology of the Cross and Pentecostal Triumphalism by David J. Courey (Author)
Global Pentecostalism is a twenty-first century phenomenon. Yet in North America, where the movement was born, it has stalled. Courey uncovers the cause of this plateau in the triumphalism that is characteristic of both North American Protestantism and Pentecostalism. Through the identification of parallels between Martin Luther and contemporary Pentecostals, Courey detects in Luther's Theology of the Cross a potent remedy for this tension. Utilising this insight, Courey reflects on other faith traditions, and provides a counterpoint to the triumphalism that inhibits the development of Pentecostalism in North America and around the world.
This work comprises of three parts. The first is historical, charting the antecedents and development of Pentecostal triumphalism. The second is an experiment in historical theology, seeking basic resonances between Luther and early Pentecostals, and examining the Theology of the Cross as a means of probing Pentecostalism. The final section is an effort in constructive theology, applying the theologia crucis to some of the central aspects of Pentecostalism.
Theology of the Cross for the 21st Century by Authors Various (Author), Alberto L. Garcia (Editor), A. R. Victor Raj (Editor)
This book is a collection of essays that explore the significance of Martin Luther's theology of the cross within the context of the various world religions and philosophies. Each contributor describes and interprets this distinctive Lutheran understanding of grace with the worldview of a major tradition or system. The writing is scholarly, yet accessible for the discerning lay reader. Readers develop a renewed appreciation for the richness of the cross and the ways Luther's insights speak to different contexts.
Pastoral Care Under the Cross: God in the midst of suffering by Richard C. Eyer (Author)
Pastoral Care Under the Cross points to the cross as the paradigm for pastoral care when counseling suffering people. This book offers insight that is useful not only for pastors but also Christian counselors, chaplains, nurses, doctors, and social workers who interact with the elderly, dying, mourning, mentally ill, or depressed.
Theology of the Cross: The death of Jesus in the Pauline letters by Charles B Cousar (Author)
In Paul's epistles the crucifixion story reveals a God who is free and in no way bound by human categories or expectations. Yet God in Christ chooses to be engaged in the very depths of the human predicament. The message of the crucifixion is that God's power is manifested in weakness, not in strength. The author believes that this "weakness as strength" should be the focal point of the church's identity. However, a celebration of weakness is in complete opposition to traditional American beliefs in personal strength and a powerful church.
Tuesday, October 03, 2017
5 minutes of church history - October=Luther month
In October 2017 gain 31 segments of Church History focussed on Luther from 5 minutes in Church History hosted by Dr Stephen Nichols.
5 Minutes in Church History, hosted by Dr. Stephen Nichols, is a weekly podcast that provides an informal and informative look at church history. Join us each week as we take a brief break from the present to go exploring the past. Travel back in time as we look at the people, events, and even the places that have shaped the story of Christianity. Each podcast offers an easily digestible glimpse of how the eternal, unchangeable God has worked in the church over prior generations, and how this can encourage us today. This is our story—our family history. 5 Minutes in Church History is an outreach of Ligonier Ministries.
Available at https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/5-minutes-in-church-history-weekly-christian-podcast/id684370851?mt=2
5 Minutes in Church History, hosted by Dr. Stephen Nichols, is a weekly podcast that provides an informal and informative look at church history. Join us each week as we take a brief break from the present to go exploring the past. Travel back in time as we look at the people, events, and even the places that have shaped the story of Christianity. Each podcast offers an easily digestible glimpse of how the eternal, unchangeable God has worked in the church over prior generations, and how this can encourage us today. This is our story—our family history. 5 Minutes in Church History is an outreach of Ligonier Ministries.
Available at https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/5-minutes-in-church-history-weekly-christian-podcast/id684370851?mt=2
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Book: Martin Luther's theology of beauty
Many contemporary theologians seek to retrieve the concept of beauty as a way for people to encounter God. This groundbreaking book argues that while Martin Luther's view of beauty has often been ignored or underappreciated, it has much to contribute to that quest. Mark Mattes, one of today's leading Lutheran theologians, analyzes Luther's theological aesthetics and discusses its implications for music, art, and the contemplative life. Mattes shows that for Luther, the cross is the lens through which the beauty of God is refracted into the world.
Contents
Luther's view of philosphy
Luther's view on goodness
The early Luther on beauty
The later Luther on beauty
Luther on the theology and beauty of music
Luther on visual imaging
Luther and Nouvelle Theologie
Luther for a contemporary theology of beauty
Contents
Luther's view of philosphy
Luther's view on goodness
The early Luther on beauty
The later Luther on beauty
Luther on the theology and beauty of music
Luther on visual imaging
Luther and Nouvelle Theologie
Luther for a contemporary theology of beauty
Friday, September 22, 2017
Magazine: EKD The magazine for the anniversary of the Reformation in 2017
The Evangelical Church in Germany has produced a magazine for the anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.
The magazine is available at http://www.gott-neu-vertrauen.de/sites/default/files/downloads/FINAL%20-neu-%20Reformation2017_English.pdf
Articles inside the magazine include:
EXPERIENCING GOD IN NEW WAYS
“THE TIMES ARE OUT OF JOINT”
The Crisis of Culture and the Recollection of the Reformation
INDIVIDUALISATION O R SECULARISATION? PLURALISATI N!
Church in the Context of the Present Times
THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD
God as Mystery behind Creation
EXPERIENCING GOD IN NEW WAYS
A Practical Instruction Guide for Encounters with God
THE MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD IN MEISTER ECKHART’S WRITINGS
The Birth of God in the “Fortress” of the Soul
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIR ATION FOR A SERMON Psalm 78:3–4
THINKING GOD IN NEW WAYS
A MYSTERY WHICH GROWS EVER MORE INTENSE
HOW HUM ANKIND EXPERIENCES GOD
Schleiermacher’s Response to Ideas about God Which Were Prevalent in the Enlightenment
THE PROVOCATION THAT WAS KARL BARTH’S
The Starting Point of Thinking about God
GOD IS KNOWN IN OUR LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS
Only Our Hearts Can Know God
THINKING. GOD. I N NEW WAYS:
The Academic Way
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, IT IS ENOUGH
Summer School: In Dialogue with Science, Church and Society
THE REFORMATION AS A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD
The Appeal of the Reformation in Predominantly Non-Christian Societies
INTER JECTION BY MARTIN LUTHER
INSPIR ATION FOR A SERMON Romans 11:33
PETITIONING GOD IN NEW WAYS
HEALING OF MEMORIES
Successfully Dealing with Distressing Memories
WHAT AND HOW WE WILL CELEBRATE IN 2017
2017 AS A FESTIVAL OF CHRIST
Praying Together for Unity With Greater Regularity
HEALING OF MEMORIES
The Evangelical Free Churches in Germany
M ARTIN LUTHER AND THE JEWS
A Necessary Reminder on the Occasion of the Reformation Anniversary
EKD DECLARATION
FREEDOM TO SIN
At Once Righteous and a Sinner
NEITHER CHURCH NOR HERETIC
Gottfried Arnold’s “Nonpartisan History of the Church and of Heretics”
INTER JECTION BY PHILIP MELANCHTHON
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIR ATION FOR A SERMON Psalm 51:3
SPEAKING ABOUT GOD IN NEW WAYS
JESUS RECOUNTS PARABLES
People Feel God Entering Their Lives
GODPARENTS OF A EUROPE OF SOLIDARIT Y
The European Roadmap Links Together 68 Cities
THE RECIPE OF A GOOD STORY
To Enjoy Telling Stories
BEHOLD, I A M M AKING ALL THINGS NEW!
Meditation on Revelation 21:5
REFORMATION TODAY –
WHERE GROUNDBREAKING IDEAS ARE FORMED
“I DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD – BUT I MISS HIM”
Contemporary Literature Longs for a God
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON
Psalm 145:6
CELEBRATING GOD IN NEW WAYS
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE?
In a Field of Tension between Anarchy, Order and Compulsion
CELEBR ATING THE FESTIVAL OF FAITH TOGETHER
CROSS-ROADS IN LIFE
In Occasional Services, We Share Our Most Significant Life Events
PROTESTANT AND HUMOROUS
Faith and Humour are not Opposites
INTER JECTION BY MARTIN LUTHER
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON
Luke 14:17
DISCOVERING GOD IN NEW WAYS
GATES OF FREEDOM – WORLD EXHIBITION REFORMATION
GATES INTO THE WORLD
Important Questions about our Present Times Are Addressed in the Seven Gates of Wittenberg
YOUNG, PROTESTANT, INTERNATIONAL
FROM THE RIGHTS ESTABLISHED IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE REFORMATION TO THE
MODEL OF THE FUTURE
The Liberal Constitutional Law Concerning Religion in Germany
LUTH E R, PAUL , GOD –
Discovering the Discoverers in New Ways
”IT WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD SEE GOD”
Theologising with Children
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON 2 Corinthians 3:18
TRUSTING GOD IN NEW WAYS
TRUST AS A FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
Trusting God means taking on Responsibility for Creation and for our Fellows
EVERY-DAY-LIFE AS WORSHIP
The Reformation Discovery of the “World” as a Location in which Faith can Prove itself
CHURCH AND MONEY – A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS?
Social Responsibility and Financial Investment in Line with Ethical Principles
LEAVING THE CHURCH IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE
Speaking about the World and about God always means speaking also about Jesus Christ
INTER JECTION BY JOHN CALVIN
MY REFORMATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON Psalm 125:1
REFORM CENTRES
HELPING TO BIRTH CHANGE
The EKD-Centre Mission in the Region
QUALITY IN WORSHIP SERVICES
The EKD-Centre for Quality Development in Worship Services
NEW WAYS TO PREACH
Wittenberg Institute of Preaching and Homiletics
A PLACE FOR ORIENTATION AND A SPACE FOR DEVELOPMENT
The EKD-Centre for Leadership and Management
OUTLOOK
2017 AND BEYOND
Broadening the Outlook to Include the European Dimension of the Reformation
THE TIME HAS COME TO PROCLAIM OUR THESES
Theses which could Influence the World in New Ways
The magazine is available at http://www.gott-neu-vertrauen.de/sites/default/files/downloads/FINAL%20-neu-%20Reformation2017_English.pdf
Articles inside the magazine include:
EXPERIENCING GOD IN NEW WAYS
“THE TIMES ARE OUT OF JOINT”
The Crisis of Culture and the Recollection of the Reformation
INDIVIDUALISATION O R SECULARISATION? PLURALISATI N!
Church in the Context of the Present Times
THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD
God as Mystery behind Creation
EXPERIENCING GOD IN NEW WAYS
A Practical Instruction Guide for Encounters with God
THE MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD IN MEISTER ECKHART’S WRITINGS
The Birth of God in the “Fortress” of the Soul
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIR ATION FOR A SERMON Psalm 78:3–4
THINKING GOD IN NEW WAYS
A MYSTERY WHICH GROWS EVER MORE INTENSE
HOW HUM ANKIND EXPERIENCES GOD
Schleiermacher’s Response to Ideas about God Which Were Prevalent in the Enlightenment
THE PROVOCATION THAT WAS KARL BARTH’S
The Starting Point of Thinking about God
GOD IS KNOWN IN OUR LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS
Only Our Hearts Can Know God
THINKING. GOD. I N NEW WAYS:
The Academic Way
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, IT IS ENOUGH
Summer School: In Dialogue with Science, Church and Society
THE REFORMATION AS A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD
The Appeal of the Reformation in Predominantly Non-Christian Societies
INTER JECTION BY MARTIN LUTHER
INSPIR ATION FOR A SERMON Romans 11:33
PETITIONING GOD IN NEW WAYS
HEALING OF MEMORIES
Successfully Dealing with Distressing Memories
WHAT AND HOW WE WILL CELEBRATE IN 2017
2017 AS A FESTIVAL OF CHRIST
Praying Together for Unity With Greater Regularity
HEALING OF MEMORIES
The Evangelical Free Churches in Germany
M ARTIN LUTHER AND THE JEWS
A Necessary Reminder on the Occasion of the Reformation Anniversary
EKD DECLARATION
FREEDOM TO SIN
At Once Righteous and a Sinner
NEITHER CHURCH NOR HERETIC
Gottfried Arnold’s “Nonpartisan History of the Church and of Heretics”
INTER JECTION BY PHILIP MELANCHTHON
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIR ATION FOR A SERMON Psalm 51:3
SPEAKING ABOUT GOD IN NEW WAYS
JESUS RECOUNTS PARABLES
People Feel God Entering Their Lives
GODPARENTS OF A EUROPE OF SOLIDARIT Y
The European Roadmap Links Together 68 Cities
THE RECIPE OF A GOOD STORY
To Enjoy Telling Stories
BEHOLD, I A M M AKING ALL THINGS NEW!
Meditation on Revelation 21:5
REFORMATION TODAY –
WHERE GROUNDBREAKING IDEAS ARE FORMED
“I DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD – BUT I MISS HIM”
Contemporary Literature Longs for a God
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON
Psalm 145:6
CELEBRATING GOD IN NEW WAYS
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE?
In a Field of Tension between Anarchy, Order and Compulsion
CELEBR ATING THE FESTIVAL OF FAITH TOGETHER
CROSS-ROADS IN LIFE
In Occasional Services, We Share Our Most Significant Life Events
PROTESTANT AND HUMOROUS
Faith and Humour are not Opposites
INTER JECTION BY MARTIN LUTHER
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON
Luke 14:17
DISCOVERING GOD IN NEW WAYS
GATES OF FREEDOM – WORLD EXHIBITION REFORMATION
GATES INTO THE WORLD
Important Questions about our Present Times Are Addressed in the Seven Gates of Wittenberg
YOUNG, PROTESTANT, INTERNATIONAL
FROM THE RIGHTS ESTABLISHED IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE REFORMATION TO THE
MODEL OF THE FUTURE
The Liberal Constitutional Law Concerning Religion in Germany
LUTH E R, PAUL , GOD –
Discovering the Discoverers in New Ways
”IT WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD SEE GOD”
Theologising with Children
MY REFOR M ATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON 2 Corinthians 3:18
TRUSTING GOD IN NEW WAYS
TRUST AS A FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
Trusting God means taking on Responsibility for Creation and for our Fellows
EVERY-DAY-LIFE AS WORSHIP
The Reformation Discovery of the “World” as a Location in which Faith can Prove itself
CHURCH AND MONEY – A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS?
Social Responsibility and Financial Investment in Line with Ethical Principles
LEAVING THE CHURCH IN THE CENTRE OF THE VILLAGE
Speaking about the World and about God always means speaking also about Jesus Christ
INTER JECTION BY JOHN CALVIN
MY REFORMATION
INSPIRATION FOR A SERMON Psalm 125:1
REFORM CENTRES
HELPING TO BIRTH CHANGE
The EKD-Centre Mission in the Region
QUALITY IN WORSHIP SERVICES
The EKD-Centre for Quality Development in Worship Services
NEW WAYS TO PREACH
Wittenberg Institute of Preaching and Homiletics
A PLACE FOR ORIENTATION AND A SPACE FOR DEVELOPMENT
The EKD-Centre for Leadership and Management
OUTLOOK
2017 AND BEYOND
Broadening the Outlook to Include the European Dimension of the Reformation
THE TIME HAS COME TO PROCLAIM OUR THESES
Theses which could Influence the World in New Ways
Saturday, September 09, 2017
Book: Martin Luther on reading the bible as Christian scripture
Above all else that the sixteenth-century German Reformer was known for, Martin Luther was a Doctor of the Holy Scriptures. One of the most characteristic features of Luther's approach to Scripture was his resolved christological interpretation of the Bible. Many of the Reformer's interpreters have looked back upon Luther's "Christ-centered" exposition of the Scriptures with sentimentality but have often labeled it as "Christianization," particularly in regards to Luther's approach of the Old Testament, dismissing his relevance for today's faithful readers of God's Word.
This study revisits this assessment of Luther's christological interpretation of Scripture by way of critical analysis of the Reformer's "prefaces to the Bible" that he wrote for his translation of the Scriptures into the German vernacular. This work contends that Luther foremost believes Jesus Christ to be the sensus literalis of Scripture on the basis of the Bible's messianic promise, not enforcing a dogmatic principle onto the scriptural text and its biblical authors that would be otherwise foreign to them. This study asserts that Luther's exegesis of the Bible's "letter" (i.e., his engagement with the biblical text) is primarily responsible for his conviction that Christ is Holy Scripture's literal sense.
What others are saying?
"Marsh has provided fresh insight on Luther's hermeneutics and his preaching, especially of Old Testament texts. Marsh focuses on Luther's own words to understand what the reformer taught about a Christian reading of Scripture. This is an excellent contribution to the contemporary discussions." --Jason K. Lee, Professor of Theological Studies, Dean, School of Biblical and Theological Studies, Cedarville University
"Through a close and learned reading of key texts in the reformer's canon, William M. Marsh shows that Christ is the focus of Luther's interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. Martin Luther on Reading the Bible as Christian Scripture makes an important contribution to our understanding of Luther's biblical theology and hermeneutics. By linking the human witness to Christ with the word of God, Marsh demonstrates theologically how in Luther's thought the Bible's truth is connected to the living reality of Christ." --Christine Helmer, Arthur E. Andersen Teaching and Research Professor, Professor of German and Religious Studies, Northwestern University
"In this volume William Marsh explores the manner in which Luther listened to and conveyed to others this conviction that God converses with his people in and through The Book. . . . A rewarding read indeed!" --Robert Kolb, from the foreword
This study revisits this assessment of Luther's christological interpretation of Scripture by way of critical analysis of the Reformer's "prefaces to the Bible" that he wrote for his translation of the Scriptures into the German vernacular. This work contends that Luther foremost believes Jesus Christ to be the sensus literalis of Scripture on the basis of the Bible's messianic promise, not enforcing a dogmatic principle onto the scriptural text and its biblical authors that would be otherwise foreign to them. This study asserts that Luther's exegesis of the Bible's "letter" (i.e., his engagement with the biblical text) is primarily responsible for his conviction that Christ is Holy Scripture's literal sense.
What others are saying?
"Marsh has provided fresh insight on Luther's hermeneutics and his preaching, especially of Old Testament texts. Marsh focuses on Luther's own words to understand what the reformer taught about a Christian reading of Scripture. This is an excellent contribution to the contemporary discussions." --Jason K. Lee, Professor of Theological Studies, Dean, School of Biblical and Theological Studies, Cedarville University
"Through a close and learned reading of key texts in the reformer's canon, William M. Marsh shows that Christ is the focus of Luther's interpretation of the Old and New Testaments. Martin Luther on Reading the Bible as Christian Scripture makes an important contribution to our understanding of Luther's biblical theology and hermeneutics. By linking the human witness to Christ with the word of God, Marsh demonstrates theologically how in Luther's thought the Bible's truth is connected to the living reality of Christ." --Christine Helmer, Arthur E. Andersen Teaching and Research Professor, Professor of German and Religious Studies, Northwestern University
"In this volume William Marsh explores the manner in which Luther listened to and conveyed to others this conviction that God converses with his people in and through The Book. . . . A rewarding read indeed!" --Robert Kolb, from the foreword
Friday, July 28, 2017
Free Reformation poster exhibition
Host a free Reformation poster exhibition
The poster exhibition “#HereIstand. Martin Luther, the Reformation and its Results” shows the upheavals of the 16th century. It comprises up to 30 posters in the A1 format (84.1 x 59.4 centimetres, 4/0coloured). The exhibition has a modular structure, so that it can also be displayed on smaller premises.
With modern, scientifically substantiated, and attractively designed information graphics, the exhibition shows the most important events in the history of the Reformation, and its effects up to the present. Using the biography of Martin Luther as a starting point, insight is given into the time prior to the Reformation. The exhibition then directs its focus to the dynamics of the Reformation, which unfolded after Luther’s posting of his 95 theses against the sale of indulgences, and deals with central questions of the history of the Reformation:
What was actually new about Luther’s theology?
What happened in Wittenberg in 1517?
How did the new teaching spread?
In addition to the information graphics, the exhibition also includes seven large images of high-quality museum exhibits. As a special feature, original exhibits that have been 3D-scanned can be downloaded and printed out with a 3D printer.
For more information and to download the posters visit: http://www.here-i-stand.com/en/order
The poster exhibition “#HereIstand. Martin Luther, the Reformation and its Results” shows the upheavals of the 16th century. It comprises up to 30 posters in the A1 format (84.1 x 59.4 centimetres, 4/0coloured). The exhibition has a modular structure, so that it can also be displayed on smaller premises.
With modern, scientifically substantiated, and attractively designed information graphics, the exhibition shows the most important events in the history of the Reformation, and its effects up to the present. Using the biography of Martin Luther as a starting point, insight is given into the time prior to the Reformation. The exhibition then directs its focus to the dynamics of the Reformation, which unfolded after Luther’s posting of his 95 theses against the sale of indulgences, and deals with central questions of the history of the Reformation:
What was actually new about Luther’s theology?
What happened in Wittenberg in 1517?
How did the new teaching spread?
In addition to the information graphics, the exhibition also includes seven large images of high-quality museum exhibits. As a special feature, original exhibits that have been 3D-scanned can be downloaded and printed out with a 3D printer.
For more information and to download the posters visit: http://www.here-i-stand.com/en/order
Monday, July 03, 2017
Children's Book: The Life of Martin Luther: A Pop-Up Book
The story of Martin Luther and his role in sparking the Protestant Reformation is given an interactive retelling in this beautiful and sturdy pop-up book. From Luther's decision to become a monk to his 95 theses, history jumps off the page through the vibrant, colorful illustrations of renowned artist and paper engineer Agostino Traini. Full of surprising details, this book will have kids coming back again and again to learn about this fascinating chapter in the history of the Christian faith. Published in time for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, The Life of Martin Luther is also an excellent gift for anyone with an interest in the history of the Christian church.
Scholars disagree on some aspects of Martin Luther's biography. In this book for children, we've chosen to tell the popular version of Luther's life story, while also drawing on the expertise of historians.
Scholars disagree on some aspects of Martin Luther's biography. In this book for children, we've chosen to tell the popular version of Luther's life story, while also drawing on the expertise of historians.
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| To order the book visit here |
10 new books on Luther and the Reformation
Recently released reformation and Martin Luther resources
This brief, insightful biography of Martin Luther strips away the myths surrounding the Reformer to offer a more nuanced account of his life and ministry. Coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this accessible yet robustly historical and theological work highlights the medieval background of Luther's life in contrast to contemporary legends. Internationally respected church historian Volker Leppin explores the Catholic roots of Lutheran thought and locates Luther's life in the unfolding history of 16th-century Europe. Foreword by Timothy J. Wengert.
Martin Luther is well known for initiating one of the most influential movements in church history—the Reformation. But this fascinating nonconformist, praised as a hero or criticized as a heretic throughout history, was first and foremost a man searching for God. This new biography by leading Reformation scholar Herman Selderhuis digs deep into the heart and mind of Luther, following him on his spiritual journey and revealing the many facets of his powerful personality, from loving husband and father, to serious monk, to feared opponent, to compelling preacher and writer. Selderhuis supplements his work with Luther's own words to help us see him as a man of flesh and blood, full of faith and full of faults, with a deep longing to live for God.
On All Hallow’s Eve in 1517, a young monk named Martin Luther posted a document he hoped would spark an academic debate, but that instead ignited a conflagration that would forever destroy the world he knew. Five hundred years after Luther’s now famous 95 Theses appeared, Eric Metaxas, acclaimed biographer of the bestselling Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, paints a startling portrait of the wild figure whose adamantine faith cracked the edifice of Western Christendom and dragged medieval Europe into the future. Written in riveting prose and impeccably researched, Martin Luther tells the searing tale of a humble man who, by bringing ugly truths to the highest seats of power, caused the explosion whose sound is still ringing in our ears. Luther’s monumental faith and courage gave birth to the ideals of faith, virtue, and freedom that today lie at the heart of all modern life.
A major new account of the most intensely creative years of Luther's career
The Making of Martin Luther takes a provocative look at the intellectual emergence of one of the most original and influential minds of the sixteenth century. Richard Rex traces how, in a concentrated burst of creative energy in the few years surrounding his excommunication by Pope Leo X in 1521, this lecturer at an obscure German university developed a startling new interpretation of the Christian faith that brought to an end the dominance of the Catholic Church in Europe. Luther's personal psychology and cultural context played their parts in the whirlwind of change he unleashed. But for the man himself, it was always about the ideas, the truth, and the Gospel.
Focusing on the most intensely important years of Luther's career, Rex teases out the threads of his often paradoxical and counterintuitive ideas from the tangled thickets of his writings, explaining their significance, their interconnections, and the astonishing appeal they so rapidly developed. Yet Rex also sets these ideas firmly in the context of Luther's personal life, the cultural landscape that shaped him, and the traditions of medieval Catholic thought from which his ideas burst forth.
Lucidly argued and elegantly written, The Making of Martin Luther is a splendid work of intellectual history that renders Luther's earthshaking yet sometimes challenging ideas accessible to a new generation of readers.
On the 500th anniversary of the Reformation comes this compelling, illuminating, and expansive religious history that examines the complicated and unintended legacies of Martin Luther and the epochal movement that continues to shape the world today.
For five centuries, Martin Luther has been lionized as an outspoken and fearless icon of change who ended the Middle Ages and heralded the beginning of the modern world. In Rebel in the Ranks, Brad Gregory, renowned professor of European history at Notre Dame, recasts this long-accepted portrait. Luther did not intend to start a revolution that would divide the Catholic Church and forever change Western civilization. Yet his actions would profoundly shape our world in ways he could never have imagined.
Gregory analyzes Luther’s inadvertent role in starting the Reformation and the epochal changes that followed. He reveals how Luther’s insistence on the Bible as the sole authority for Christian truth led to conflicting interpretations of its meaning—and to the rise of competing churches, political conflicts, and social upheavals. Ultimately, he contends, some of the major historical and cultural developments that arose in its wake—including the Enlightenment, individual self-determination and moral relativism, and a religious freedom that protects one’s right to worship or even to reject religion—would have appalled Luther: a reluctant revolutionary, a rebel in the ranks, whose goal was to make society more Christian, yet instead set the world on fire.
Germany, 1505
In the dark of night, Katharina von Bora says the bravest good-bye a six-year-old can muster and walks away as the heavy convent gate closes behind her.
Though the cold walls offer no comfort, Katharina soon finds herself calling the convent her home. God, her father. This, her life. She takes her vows―a choice more practical than pious―but in time, a seed of discontent is planted by the smuggled writings of a rebellious excommunicated priest named Martin Luther. Their message? That Katharina is subject to God, and no one else. Could the Lord truly desire more for her than this life of servitude?
In her first true step of faith, Katharina leaves the only life she has ever known. But the freedom she has craved comes with a price, and she finds she has traded one life of isolation for another. Without the security of the convent walls or a family of her own, Katharina must trust in both the God who saved her and the man who paved a way for rescue. Luther’s friends are quick to offer shelter, but Katharina longs for all Luther has promised: a home, a husband, perhaps even the chance to fall in love.
Katharina von Bora, wife of Martin Luther, was by any measure the First Lady of the Reformation. A strong woman with a mind of her own, she would remain unknown to us were it not for her larger than life husband. Unlike other noted Reformation women, her primary vocation was not related to ministry. She was a farmer and a brewer with a boarding house the size of a Holiday Inn - and all that with a large family and nursing responsibilities. In many ways, Katie was a modern woman - a Lean In woman or a modern-day version of a Proverbs 31 woman. Katharina's voice echoes among modern women, wives and mothers who have carved out a career of their own.
Decisive and assertive, she transformed Martin Luther into at least a practicing egalitarian. Katharina was a full partner who was a no-nonsense, confident and determined woman, a starke Frau who did not cower when confronted by a powerful man.
Ruth Tucker invites readers to visit Katie Luther in her sixteenth-century village life - with its celebrations and heartaches, housing, diet, fashion, childbirth, child-rearing and gender restrictions - and to welcome her today into our own living rooms and workplaces.
As the Reformation anniversaries approach there will be no lack of publishing initiatives to help the general reader understand the importance of those exciting times. Armin Kohnle's Martin Luther: Scholar, Heretic, Husband is an outstanding and visually rich introduction to the life and times of the man whose efforts changed society forever. As the subtitle makes clear, Luther was a complex and complicated person. Kohnle's book works chronologically through the Reformer's life, telling the story of his early years, his life in the monastery, as well as his years as a teacher, reformer, and family man in clear, quick moving prose. The book also includes important background information and interpretive sections to help readers understand the implications. Translated by Linda Maloney, the book also includes extensive illustrations from the time, maps, and photos from the places as they are today are on nearly every page and give the reader a rich, visual experience.
Where was the gospel before the Reformation?
Contemporary evangelicals often struggle to answer that question. As a result, many Roman Catholics are quick to allege that the Reformation understanding of the gospel simply did not exist before the 1500s. They assert that key Reformation doctrines, like sola fide, were nonexistent in the first fifteen centuries of church history. Rather, they were invented by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and others.
That is a serious charge, and one that evangelicals must be ready to answer. If an evangelical understanding of the gospel is only 500 years old, we are in major trouble. However, if it can be demonstrated that Reformers were not inventing something new, but instead were recovering something old, then key tenets of the Protestant faith are greatly affirmed. Hence, the need for this book.
At the 500th anniversary of the Wittenberg Reformation, two highly regarded scholars compare and contrast the history and theological positions of the Reformed and Lutheran traditions. The authors tackle nine important theological topics significant for the life of the church that remain a source of division between the two traditions. The book helps readers evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the Reformed and Lutheran approaches to presenting the biblical message and invites honest, irenic, and open dialogue within the Protestant family.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Book: Martin Luther - A wild boar in the Lord's vineyard
Martin Luther: A Wild Boar in the Lord’s Vineyard by Rev Dr Mark Worthing tells the story of one of the most eventful and extraordinary lives of the late medieval period.
On 31 October 1517 an obscure German monk named Martin Luther posted 95 theses protesting the selling of indulgences. This single act brought him into inevitable conflict with both pope and emperor. The dispute that followed changed not only Luther’s life, but also the religious and political face of Europe. This book offers the modern reader a concise and accessible account of Luther’s remarkable life. It explores his passionate and fiery character, introduces us to a colourful cast of friends and enemies, and explains the complex politics of church and empire. Whether you love or hate Luther, agree or disagree with him, you will be left with little doubt that his life and thought have shaped the world in which we live – and in more ways than you may have thought.
What others are saying
On 31 October 1517 an obscure German monk named Martin Luther posted 95 theses protesting the selling of indulgences. This single act brought him into inevitable conflict with both pope and emperor. The dispute that followed changed not only Luther’s life, but also the religious and political face of Europe. This book offers the modern reader a concise and accessible account of Luther’s remarkable life. It explores his passionate and fiery character, introduces us to a colourful cast of friends and enemies, and explains the complex politics of church and empire. Whether you love or hate Luther, agree or disagree with him, you will be left with little doubt that his life and thought have shaped the world in which we live – and in more ways than you may have thought.
What others are saying
Available from
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Book: The unholy Trinity
About the Unholy Trinity by Michael A. Lockwood
We are all too familiar with the same old human pitfall: we rush after the desires of our hearts and worship ourselves instead of Jesus Christ. And yet, the dangers of inward idolatry are a neglected topic in Western theology.
Without God’s First-Commandment-focused Law, we would never truly know the depth of our spiritual disease. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, plain and simple, our god.
Drawing upon Martin Luther’s key insights on the theology of idolatry, The Unholy Trinity unmasks contemporary idol worship and its futility. Luther’s unparalleled ability to get to the heart of human sin helps us see through the lie of self-sufficiency. Only when walls of man-made security are broken down can we hear the Gospel as good news—by grace, God gives us every good thing we vainly try to provide for ourselves.
Endorsements
“Michael Lockwood shows that God’s use of the Law—for Christians as well as for non-Christians—includes the sufferings of life that destroy our self-sufficiency, which is the root of all idolatry. His book is full of practical suggestions for pastoral care and evangelistic outreach and will be an enormously helpful resource for pastors.”
-Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Emeritus Professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College
“How does a preacher best commend the Christian faith to people who have no need for the Gospel, let alone any desire to participate in the Divine Service? Dr. Lockwood provides us with a diagnostic tool for effective proclamation by his excellent analysis of Luther’s teaching on human idolatry and the impact of its delusive claims. . . . This thoroughly biblical, culturally relevant study is a joy to read.”
—Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Australian Lutheran College
“Saint Augustine spoke of idolatry as worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped. John Calvin spoke of the human mind as a perpetual forge of idols, daring to imagine a god suited to its own capacity. And now we have mighty Luther, who shares the stance of Augustine and Calvin, but whose many statements on idolatry have never before been gathered together or considered in such a substantial, accessible, and pastorally fruitful manner.”
—Mark P. Ryan, Adjunct Professor of Religion and Culture, Covenant Theological Seminary; Director, Francis A. Schaeffer Institute
“In two ways, Michael Lockwood has done us all a great service: he has rendered a fundamentally important theme in Luther’s theology accessible, and he’s shown us why it matters. In nine, deeply researched and highly readable chapters, Dr. Lockwood not only describes Luther’s analysis of idolatry, but he also explains how idolatry functions. For Luther, idolatry is false faith. It’s a lethal trust in the wrong thing in the wrong way. Luther didn’t regard idolatry as misplaced philosophy, with merely academic consequences, but as a deadly peril because of what it actually does. . . . Michael Lockwood’s writing is saturated with Luther in the best possible way. He shows not only what Luther said in the past, but why it’s important to keep hearing it in the present. This volume is not just an important contribution to Luther studies, it’s a seminal book for understanding the distinctive work of Christian ministry and the uniqueness of the Christian Gospel.”
—Rev. Dr. Noel Due, Ministry and Mission Support Pastor, Lutheran Church of Australia, SA/NT District
“Today, secularism is seen as social policy, agnosticism and atheism appear to be respectable, and the ranks of the 'nones' are swelling, while indifference to religious views and affiliations grows. So at first glance, idolatry is an unpromising topic for the church’s life and witness. But, as Michael Lockwood shows, a deeper look at idolatry, especially through the eyes of Martin Luther, is revealing and compelling. Tying together many strands and uncovering varied connections in Luther’s thought on false gods, Lockwood presents a rich trinitarian account of idolatry and uses it to uncover and overcome the idols hiding in plain sight today.”
—Dr. Joel P. Okamoto, Waldemar and Mary Griesbach Professor of Systematic Theology Chairman, Department of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary
Obtain your copy of The Unholy Trinity by visiting here
We are all too familiar with the same old human pitfall: we rush after the desires of our hearts and worship ourselves instead of Jesus Christ. And yet, the dangers of inward idolatry are a neglected topic in Western theology.
Without God’s First-Commandment-focused Law, we would never truly know the depth of our spiritual disease. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, plain and simple, our god.
Drawing upon Martin Luther’s key insights on the theology of idolatry, The Unholy Trinity unmasks contemporary idol worship and its futility. Luther’s unparalleled ability to get to the heart of human sin helps us see through the lie of self-sufficiency. Only when walls of man-made security are broken down can we hear the Gospel as good news—by grace, God gives us every good thing we vainly try to provide for ourselves.
Endorsements
“Michael Lockwood shows that God’s use of the Law—for Christians as well as for non-Christians—includes the sufferings of life that destroy our self-sufficiency, which is the root of all idolatry. His book is full of practical suggestions for pastoral care and evangelistic outreach and will be an enormously helpful resource for pastors.”
-Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Emeritus Professor of Literature, Patrick Henry College
“How does a preacher best commend the Christian faith to people who have no need for the Gospel, let alone any desire to participate in the Divine Service? Dr. Lockwood provides us with a diagnostic tool for effective proclamation by his excellent analysis of Luther’s teaching on human idolatry and the impact of its delusive claims. . . . This thoroughly biblical, culturally relevant study is a joy to read.”
—Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Australian Lutheran College
“Saint Augustine spoke of idolatry as worshiping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that is meant to be worshiped. John Calvin spoke of the human mind as a perpetual forge of idols, daring to imagine a god suited to its own capacity. And now we have mighty Luther, who shares the stance of Augustine and Calvin, but whose many statements on idolatry have never before been gathered together or considered in such a substantial, accessible, and pastorally fruitful manner.”
—Mark P. Ryan, Adjunct Professor of Religion and Culture, Covenant Theological Seminary; Director, Francis A. Schaeffer Institute
“In two ways, Michael Lockwood has done us all a great service: he has rendered a fundamentally important theme in Luther’s theology accessible, and he’s shown us why it matters. In nine, deeply researched and highly readable chapters, Dr. Lockwood not only describes Luther’s analysis of idolatry, but he also explains how idolatry functions. For Luther, idolatry is false faith. It’s a lethal trust in the wrong thing in the wrong way. Luther didn’t regard idolatry as misplaced philosophy, with merely academic consequences, but as a deadly peril because of what it actually does. . . . Michael Lockwood’s writing is saturated with Luther in the best possible way. He shows not only what Luther said in the past, but why it’s important to keep hearing it in the present. This volume is not just an important contribution to Luther studies, it’s a seminal book for understanding the distinctive work of Christian ministry and the uniqueness of the Christian Gospel.”
—Rev. Dr. Noel Due, Ministry and Mission Support Pastor, Lutheran Church of Australia, SA/NT District
“Today, secularism is seen as social policy, agnosticism and atheism appear to be respectable, and the ranks of the 'nones' are swelling, while indifference to religious views and affiliations grows. So at first glance, idolatry is an unpromising topic for the church’s life and witness. But, as Michael Lockwood shows, a deeper look at idolatry, especially through the eyes of Martin Luther, is revealing and compelling. Tying together many strands and uncovering varied connections in Luther’s thought on false gods, Lockwood presents a rich trinitarian account of idolatry and uses it to uncover and overcome the idols hiding in plain sight today.”
—Dr. Joel P. Okamoto, Waldemar and Mary Griesbach Professor of Systematic Theology Chairman, Department of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary
Obtain your copy of The Unholy Trinity by visiting here
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Movie: Luther - the life and legacy of the German Reformer
LUTHER is a 91-minute documentary directed by Canadian filmmaker Stephen McCaskell. It depicts the story behind the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation five hundred years ago this October.
Martin Luther’s daring life is presented in extensive detail while still making the film relevant, provocative, and accessible. His remarkable and world-changing story is told through a seamless combination of live-action storytelling and striking animation.
For this documentary a number of scholars came together to give us a deeper understanding of the life of Martin Luther including Dr. R.C. Sproul, Stephen Nichols, Robert Kolb, Carl Trueman, W. Robert Godfrey, and Steven Lawson.
Martin Luther’s daring life is presented in extensive detail while still making the film relevant, provocative, and accessible. His remarkable and world-changing story is told through a seamless combination of live-action storytelling and striking animation.
For this documentary a number of scholars came together to give us a deeper understanding of the life of Martin Luther including Dr. R.C. Sproul, Stephen Nichols, Robert Kolb, Carl Trueman, W. Robert Godfrey, and Steven Lawson.
To obtain your copy visit https://wearepatrol.com/shop/
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Book: Martin Luther in His own words
Though most of the Protestant world can trace its roots back to the Reformation, many people today have only a vague knowledge of Martin Luther's writings. "Didn't he write the Ninety-Five Theses?" Jack Kilcrease and Erwin Lutzer step into this vacuum with a carefully selected collection of Luther's works.
Centered around the five solas of the Reformation (sola Scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, sola Christus, soli Deo gloria), the selections offer readers an accessible primer on works that are foundational to the theology of Protestantism in all its forms. Introductions to each writing include an explanation of the historical context and the theological significance of the piece. Students of the Bible, pastors, teachers, and seminary students will find this collection an enlightening introduction to Luther in his own words and a useful addition to their libraries.
Visit here to obtain a copy of Martin Luther in His own words
Centered around the five solas of the Reformation (sola Scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, sola Christus, soli Deo gloria), the selections offer readers an accessible primer on works that are foundational to the theology of Protestantism in all its forms. Introductions to each writing include an explanation of the historical context and the theological significance of the piece. Students of the Bible, pastors, teachers, and seminary students will find this collection an enlightening introduction to Luther in his own words and a useful addition to their libraries.
Visit here to obtain a copy of Martin Luther in His own words
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Monday, February 06, 2017
40 day journey with Martin Luther
Drawing from the vast collection of Luther's sermons and other works, editor Gracia Grindal here selects forty inspiring passages that raise profound truths about faith and life.
Includes a short introduction to Luther's life, journal-writing exercises and daily prayers. A rich resource for personal meditation or small group discussion. An inspiring companion anytime. Ideal for traveling through the seasons of Advent and Lent.
For more information visit here
Includes a short introduction to Luther's life, journal-writing exercises and daily prayers. A rich resource for personal meditation or small group discussion. An inspiring companion anytime. Ideal for traveling through the seasons of Advent and Lent.
For more information visit here
BOOK - Katharina and Martin Luther: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk
Martin and Katharina Luther's revolutionary marriage was arguably one of the most scandalous and intriguing in history. Yet five centuries later, we still know little about Martin and Katharina Luther's life as husband and wife. Until now.
Against all odds, the unlikely union worked, over time blossoming into the most tender of love stories. This unique biography tells the riveting story of two extraordinary people and their extraordinary relationship, offering refreshing insights into Christian history and illuminating the Luthers' profound impact on the institution of marriage, the effects of which still reverberate today. By the time they turn the last page, readers will have a deeper understanding of Luther as a husband and father and will come to love and admire Katharina, a woman who, in spite of her pivotal role, has been largely forgotten by history.
Together, this legendary couple experienced joy and grief, triumph and travail. This book brings their private lives and their love story into the spotlight and offers powerful insights into our own twenty-first-century understanding of marriage.
Available from here
Against all odds, the unlikely union worked, over time blossoming into the most tender of love stories. This unique biography tells the riveting story of two extraordinary people and their extraordinary relationship, offering refreshing insights into Christian history and illuminating the Luthers' profound impact on the institution of marriage, the effects of which still reverberate today. By the time they turn the last page, readers will have a deeper understanding of Luther as a husband and father and will come to love and admire Katharina, a woman who, in spite of her pivotal role, has been largely forgotten by history.
Together, this legendary couple experienced joy and grief, triumph and travail. This book brings their private lives and their love story into the spotlight and offers powerful insights into our own twenty-first-century understanding of marriage.
Available from here
Movie: the idea that changed the world
Luther: The idea that changed that changed the world
Martin Luther triggered a seismic upheaval that rocked the western world in the 1500s—with an impact that continues to reverberate to this day. This film tells the great adventure story of his life. At the same time, it examines his quest for truth—questions we all must face—including "Who am I?" "What is my purpose" and "How do I get right with God?"
Now you can see this compelling new movie at a special screening at your local movie theater.
For more information visit http://newluthermovie.com/
There is also opportunities to use this movie for an outreach event
Martin Luther triggered a seismic upheaval that rocked the western world in the 1500s—with an impact that continues to reverberate to this day. This film tells the great adventure story of his life. At the same time, it examines his quest for truth—questions we all must face—including "Who am I?" "What is my purpose" and "How do I get right with God?"
Now you can see this compelling new movie at a special screening at your local movie theater.
For more information visit http://newluthermovie.com/
There is also opportunities to use this movie for an outreach event
Movie: Martin Luther - the monk who changed the world
MARTIN LUTHER: The Monk Who Changed the World.
Discover the story behind the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation. Told through a seamless combination of live-action storytelling and artistic animation, Martin Luther’s daring life is presented in extensive detail while still making the film relevant, daring, and accessible.
For information visit https://www.lutherdocumentary.com/
Discover the story behind the man who sparked the Protestant Reformation. Told through a seamless combination of live-action storytelling and artistic animation, Martin Luther’s daring life is presented in extensive detail while still making the film relevant, daring, and accessible.
For information visit https://www.lutherdocumentary.com/
Monday, October 03, 2016
Lutheranreformation.org
Lutheranreformation.org is a web site to help people prepare for the reformation commemeration in 2017.
The site is regularly updated with information on:
The site is regularly updated with information on:
- History
- Theology
- Worship
- Media
- Resources
- Getting Involved
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Luther's hymn melodies
Noted liturgical scholar, composer, and Concordia Seminary Professor Emeritus James Brauer has brought together his decades-long research into Luther’s use of contemporary tunes and melodies in his prolific composition of hymns and sacred songs for the growing Reformation movement in 16th-century Germany.
Professor Brauer’s research has grown to the point that it is too large for an article, but not large enough for a print book. Yet, the research is too good not to share. So it is now available as an ebook which is available from here
As we look ahead to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, Brauer’s work is an invaluable study into how Martin Luther lived out a vibrant gift for music and the arts
Professor Brauer’s research has grown to the point that it is too large for an article, but not large enough for a print book. Yet, the research is too good not to share. So it is now available as an ebook which is available from here
As we look ahead to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, Brauer’s work is an invaluable study into how Martin Luther lived out a vibrant gift for music and the arts
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