Product Description

Acknowledged by theologians as one of the great masterpieces of the Reformation, Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will was also Luther's favorite work. Luther responds to Desiderius Erasmus' Diatribe on Free Will with the bluntness, genius, sarcasm, and spirituality that were as much a part of his writing as they were of his colorful personality. Luther writes lucidly on the themes of man's inability and God's ability, man's depravity and God's sovereignty. The crucial issue for Luther concerned what ability free will has, and to what degree it is subject to God's sovereignty. Luther's doctrine of salvation pivoted on this key issue. Is man able to save himself, or is his salvation completely a work of divine grace? This work will long remain among the great theological classics of Christian history. Bondage of the Will was first published in 1525, eight years after Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #339457 in Books
• Published on: 1990-04
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 328 pages

About the Author
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, priest, professor, theologican, and church reformer, whose teachings inspired the Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions.

Customer Reviews

The Christian Robot?
God must open our spiritual eyes in order that we will truly desire Him.

Despite the confusing credit-debit, works-merit system deceitfully established by the RCC, Luther harshly spells it all out for all those who are unaware and unfamiliar with their own fallen human condition and the consequences of remaining ignorant of their dead, sin-laden standing before God!

Bondage of the Will - This is the wake up call!!! Grace is unmerited favor! Augustine came to know the truth about GRACE in his later works (that came about as a result of the Pelagian & Semi-Pelagian Controveries) - it leaves no room for boasting! Why is one a true Christian and another is not/or simply a pretender? What did we have that we did not receive?? Not only is a true hearing of the Word an aspect of grace but also is the true receiving of it!!!

No man can come to Jesus unless the Fathers draws Him and none that is given to Jesus will go lost becasue they are secure in Him!

Predestination & Election are not made up concepts and they are not merely a product of God's Foreknowledge.

God has enabled sin to enter the world for reasons that are unknown to us.

Nothing falls outside of God's providence and dominion.

The elect will hear this message loud and clear while the reprobate will mock God and exalt man

Amen to those who are willing to see the big picture and speak the truth!

TO GOD GOES THE GLORY!!!

Luther for the Modern Reader
The authors have done a commendable job of bringing the debate between two of the Reformation's prime leaders into the modern forum. I appreciate the easily-read type-setting and general formatting of this book.

How free is the man before God?
"De servo arbitrio" is the original title of this Martin Luther's masterpiece. In it, the Reformer explains his theology concerning the limits of man's will before God, differing it from those which preached the full free will or the absence of any possibility of free will. It is a key book for all those who are interested in studying the matters referred to free will and predestination.