Luther on the Christian Life: Cross and Freedom (Theologians on the Christian Life)

“Eminently readable, humorous, and always with an eye to the church today, Trueman brings us into Luthers world, devils and all, and shows us the centrality of the cross and the objective power of Gods Word for Luthers understanding of the Christian life. Most importantly, we meet Luther on Luthers terms. His high view of the liturgy and sacraments stands alongside his more familiar views on the authority of Scripture and justification by faith alone. All those interested in Luther or the Reformation need to read this excellent book.”

“This book deftly combines deep historical learning with sage pastoral wisdom to present us with an unaccommodated Lutherone who is sure to surprise as well as offend those only familiar with sanitized portraits of the Wittenberg Reformer. But this is the Luther that we need, for it is the real Luthernot the fictions of hagiographerswho has the most to teach us about the Christian life. Both new and longtime readers of Luther will derive much benefit from Truemans book.”

“In this compelling book, we encounter an arresting portrait of Luther the pastor, a full-blooded man who knew the spiritual and physical joys and pains of life and the formidable daily challenges of being a Christian in a fallen world. In elegant, bracing prose full of pastoral and theological insight and leavened with his characteristic humor, Trueman both keeps Luther in his time and engages us in conversation about how the German doctor speaks to ours. Truemans profound exploration of one of the great writers on the Christian life challenges all of us to cancel our tickets for journeys of self-exploration and self-expression to pursue something more authentic. From a distance of five hundred years, Luther tells us that the story is not about us; its about what God has done for us.”

“This book takes us on an engaging, enjoyable tour of the thought of one of Christianitys most influential theologians. Writing with wisdom and accessible style, Trueman gets to the heart of Luthers theology, showing how his teachings in areas like law and gospel, justification by grace through faith, and the means of grace connect with the everyday Christian life of believers. Truemans insightful scholarship and clear writing give us a wonderful introduction to Luthers thought. I highly recommend it.”

“It is no easy task to write a small volume summing up the theology and significance for the Christian life of Martin Luther. Yet Trueman has done it superbly with aplomb and verve. Highly recommended as an excellent introduction to a remarkable Christian and human being.”

“Trueman gives us not only Luthers theology, but Luther as a theologian, which in turn connects with us as theologians. We learn from Truemans insight into Luther that theology isnt just what we know about God, or even how we know it, but is intimately connected to who we are. Trueman gives us Lutherconstipation, wit, contradictions, and all. We also finally get a theological apologetic for a robust sense of humor.”

“This book illustrates again why Martin Luther remains a nearly inexhaustible resource. Trueman explains why Luther can be such a perceptive, encouraging, human, and even humorous guide to the Christian life. Especially important is Truemans clear communication of why the cross of Christ grounded Luthers approach to almost everything and why a theology of the cross might powerfully motivate believers today as well.”

“Carl Trueman has pulled off a tremendous feat: hes not only given us a volume that is scholarly and historically nuanced while still accessible and refreshingly contemporary; hes also managed to capture the brilliance and boldness of Martin Luther in a relatively short space. Trueman is to be commended for presenting a Luther who is unlike us in so many ways, and yet a Luther from whom we can learn so much.”

“If you think you know Luther, read this book. It is a remarkably edifying and illuminating piece of work. Displaying the interests of a pastor and the rigor of a historian, Carl Trueman provides us with an analysis of Luther on the Christian life that is as human as the German Reformer himself. Yet its far more than Luther on the Christian life. Its one of the very best summaries of Luther in context.”