Product Description

Gerhard Forde examines the nature of the "theology of the cross, noting what makes it different from other kinds of theology. His starting point is a thorough analysis of Luther's Heidelberg Disputation of 1518, the classic text of the theology of the cross.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130098 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 121 pages

Customer Reviews

The Love of God . . . Creates
"The Love of God does not first discover but creates what is pleasing to it." Thesis 28.

My dog-eared copy of this book got that way through reading it during my daily commutes on the train through Heidelberg, Germany, where Luther delivered his Disputation in front of his Augustinian Order. As an Army Chaplain, and familiar with much suffering, I've found deep solace in knowing that suffering is God's "alien" work in me. He humbles me and brings me to the cross, the place of Christ's suffering, where I can do nothing but throw myself on His mercy. The Cross changes EVERYTHING, and this book has thrown that truth into sharp focus, both theologically and practically, in my living and my preaching.

Through suffering God creates us for His love. "God simply refuses to be known in any other way." The cross alone is our theology, and this book has been indispensable, to me, in coming to that conviction.

Chaplain Mark Nordstrom, US Army

Good intro to Luther's thought
Gerhard Forde, a conservative German Lutheran theologian, has done the church and Christian academia a serious favour by writing this book on Luther's theology of the cross. It is a reflection on Luther's Heidelberg Disputation of 1518. Basically, Luther makes four points regarding the way of the cross: 1) the problem of good works as a way of righteousness, 2) the problem of human will due to sin, 3) the problem of the theology of glory in regards to assurance, and 4) that true saving righteousness only comes by believing in Jesus Christ. Forde discusses these in his own words in turn.

These are discussed in contrast to the "theology of glory" that was prevalent during Luther's time (basically, the works-righteousness theology of the Medieval Scholastics). Forde does an excellent job discussing, expositing, and summarizing Luther's discussion of these four points. You can even call this book an introduction to standard Lutheran thought. One will especially find the last chapter on faith righteousness very helpful and enlightening - this is my favourite chapter of the book. (One will also find that, contrary to popular opinion, that Luther never disparaged good works in the lives of Christians. In fact, he utterly encouraged the doing of good works that only arises out of faith and a new heart.)

Considering that there are so many different types of "theologies of glory" these days - whether the secular man-centered gospel of liberal Protestantism or the Theonomic Dominionist theology found in various Reformed circles who deny justification by faith alone (another form of crass materialistic and pleasure-loving theology) - this book (and Luther's original Heidelberg Disputation) should be read by all Christians concerned about the compromising of the true gospel that is happening in today. Pick it up and read it. One will find that the true gospel is indeed based on the theology of the cross (which is also found in Scripture).

Forde's little book rocks!
After a careful reading of several weeks I am just so impressed with Forde's piece on Luther. In fact, I think this thesis is at the heart of much of the current post-modern me-centric theology that sees everything from my emerging church to my purpose driven life as more important than theologia crucis. A little latin does us good in Forde's book. If people were to take one thing from Forde's piece it is found in the tail end of the book where he says, "God is not, as in the theology of glory, one who waits to approve those who have improved themselves, made themselves acceptable, or merited approval, but one who bestows good on the bad and needy." Indeed much of the current evangelical pablum is all part of a huge "preparation for God's Grace" which surreptitiously arrests the power of the cross and makes our own righteousness more important than our sinfulness. How have we erred so in our churches! The Lutheran message of this volume rocks the theological house. I'm recommending all my theological friends read this book today.