Product Description

This volume offers a unique approach to the study of the great German reformer, Martin Luther. Robert Kolb and Charles Arand offer an introduction to two significant themes that form the heart of Luther's theology. The first theme concerns what it means to be truly human. For Luther, "passive righteousness" described the believer's response to God's grace. But there was also an "active righteousness" that defined the relationship of the believer to the world. The second theme involves God's relation to his creation through his Word, first creating and then redeeming the world. Clergy and general readers will find here a helpful introduction to Luther's theology and its continuing importance for applying the good news of the gospel to the contemporary world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #352334 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780801031809
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From the Back Cover
"This eminently readable volume marks a high point in theological reflection on Martin Luther's contribution to today's church. Eschewing standard topical analyses that have often distorted Luther's thought, the authors--in essays focusing on God's twofold righteousness and God's powerful Word--have uncovered the very core of Wittenberg's theological revolution in a winsome, nondefensive manner. They thereby provide a radically new perspective on contemporary Christian faith and witness. This book is an invaluable tool for preaching, teaching, and learning the faith."--Timothy J. Wengert, Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor of the History of Christianity, The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia

"Kolb and Arand have provided a great service to all who seek a deeper understanding of reformational theology. The Genius of Luther's Theology is a fresh and innovative examination of the heart of Luther's theology. This book makes Luther more understandable and thus more usable for readers of all levels."--Jack Preus, president, Concordia University, Irvine, California

"Aside from a few slogans and provocative quotes, Luther's theology is largely unknown in the land that Bonhoeffer called 'Protestantism without the Reformation.' Christianity in America desperately needs the wisdom and penetrating insight into gospel logic that is winesomely introduced in this rewarding volume."--Michael S. Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

"Stressing Luther's theological anthropology and his view of the living and active Word of God, Kolb and Arand have given us a useful, pertinent, and contemporarily significant introduction to the genius of the great reformer's thought. This book is a valuable contribution to Luther research."--Lawrence R. Rast Jr., professor of historical theology and academic dean, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

About the Author
Robert Kolb (PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison) is Mission Professor of Systematic Theology and director of the Institute for Mission Studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author of numerous books, including Martin Luther as Prophet, Teacher, and Hero, and co-editor of The Book of Concord. Charles P. Arand (ThD, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) holds the Waldemar and June Schuette Chair in Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the author of That I May Be His Own: An Overview of Luther's Catechisms and Testing the Boundaries: Windows to Lutheran Identity.

Customer Reviews

Readable, insightful, thought-provoking
This book, by two Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod seminary professors, is an excellent summary of Luther's theology, presented in a nontraditional (i.e., not topical) but highly effective way.

The book is divided into two sections. In the first, the authors explain how Luther defined human beings through two kinds of righteousness -"passive righteousness," or righteousness with God, which comes solely through God's initiative and His grace and favor; and "active righteousness," righteousness with each other (and by extension with the rest of God's creation), which comes through the good works that flow from us when we respond with faith and trust to the great gift of God's passive righteousness.

In the second part, the authors explain how Luther regarded the Word of God, that creative and recreactive Word that bestows passive righteousness.

I am a layman (ELCA Lutheran), not a theologian or seminarian, yet I found this book very readable. The authors write clearly with only a few excursions into terminology that sent me to the dictionary to look up a theological term.

Highly recommended, both as an introduction to Lutheranism and as a way for Lutherans to become more familiar with Luther and his thought.

Insight into 2 Presuppositions that guided Luther's Theology
Two prominent Lutheran theologians provide their take on two theological presuppositions which fueled and guided all of Luther's theology. First is what it means to be human, and this in two dimensions: to God and to other humans. Secondly, how God relates to humans through all forms of His Word.

Much of this will not be new to Lutherans or readers of Luther, except that this work highlights the oft neglected contrast between Luther's anthropology of active and passive righteousness. These two spheres of human activity thus help immensely in maintaining the tensions found in Scripture between law and gospel, and also God's election and human responsibility.

What this reader found to be so useful in this reading is that their well thought out insights into these theological aspects provide great material for sermons and studies. Diagnostics of the human condition and God's response in Word, both incarnate and revealed in His living Scriptures. Just as several examples to exhibit this point: "In general, every theology of self-glorification exhibits three characteristics. First, theologies of glory must write a new script for God on the basis of human observations about the world around them ... They rewrite God's job description! The new job description for God incorporates human performance into it. Theologians of glory want assurance that God acts in predictable ways." Or one more: "Whether it is weak or strong, faith possesses the complete righteousness of Christ and so the person is completely righteous in God's sight. As faith grows, one could say that the Christian grasps more firmly the righteousness of Christ. As faith grows, just like a tree, it does not become more righteous, but it does produce more fruit."

This is outstanding writing of Luther research shared in language and examples that are readily accessible and applicable. My only wish was that were have been more of the three page conclusion "Thinking with Luther in the Twenty-First Century." Yearned for their examples of challenges to this theology and framing this to twenty-first century hearers. Maybe a second, follow-up volume?

Back to the Future-Lutheran style!
Once again Drs. Robert Kolb and Charles Arand remind us that Luther's justification by faith alone is a timeless truth so appropriate today for those who are trying to distinguish Christian love from works-generated (and selfishly motivated) self-justification. Kolb and Arand seek to describe the life Christ had in mind for His people. One quote says,
"By repentence, Luther meant a life lived out in the rhythm that God set in motion through His baptismal Word of life...Old Adam in us is drowned through daily remorse and repentence and dies in all sins and evil lusts, and a new human creature daily arises who lives eternally in God's sight in righteousness and purity." Is there any better definition of the sanctified life? This book would be a blessing to any library, Lutheran or otherwise.