Books by Martin Luther

Martin Luther's commentary upon the Sermon on the Mount is lively, informed, and a perfect gateway to the writings of the great Renaissance theologian and Bible scholar.As the exemplifying source of Jesus Christ's moral teachings, the Sermon on the Mount comprises of the most famous and widely discussed passages in the New Testament Gospels. Oft-quoted and synonymous with Christianity, the teachings of the Lord Jesus include the Lord's Prayer; the proverb-like Beatitudes; and phrases such as 'salt of the earth' which remain popular to this day.Luther offers a frank and respectful interpretation of the Sermon of the Mount, discussing at length the fifth and sixth chapters of the Book of Matthew, which is where the principle body of Christ's moral teachings reside. Famously effusive and enthusiastic about the possibilities of the recently invented printing press, Luther prefaces his words with hope that they will prove of insight and value to many Christians far and wide.

Martin Luther's commentary upon the Sermon of the Mount is lively, informed, and a perfect gateway to the writings of the great Renaissance theologian and Bible scholar.As the exemplifying source of Jesus Christ's moral teachings, the Sermon on the Mount comprises of the most famous and widely discussed passages in the New Testament Gospels. Oft-quoted and synonymous with Christianity, the teachings of the Lord Jesus include the Lord's Prayer; the proverb-like Beatitudes; and phrases such as 'salt of the earth' which remain popular to this day.Luther offers a frank and respectful interpretation of the Sermon of the Mount, discussing at length the fifth and sixth chapters of the Book of Matthew, which is where the principle body of Christ's moral teachings reside. Famously effusive and enthusiastic about the possibilities of the recently invented printing press, Luther prefaces his words with hope that they will prove of insight and value to many Christians far and wide.This edition of Luther's commentary is translated to English by Charles Augustus Hay, himself a scholar of Christianity. Publishing several translations of famous works from across religious history, Hay's education in theology and long association with academia was accompanied by a pastorship in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Lutherans teach that salvation is a free, unearned gift from God, bestowed on humans if only they believe in Him. This was earth-shattering, radical news at a time, and for many it still is today! The Catholic establishment abhorred Luther's teaching of salvation without any ?good works?. If people do not work to earn salvation, so they assured, this would promote idleness and cause all kinds of societal ills. Criticism grew quickly. In 1520 Luther responds: Good works are still done by believers. But these Good Works follow salvation and do not cause it. Good Works, Luther assured, are happily done by the already-rescued soul in gratitude ? not to earn its salvation. The entire concept of ?vocation?, of one?s profession, of one?s ?job? as a calling from God, originates here.Writing to be easily understood by the common man, Luther's fresh and engaging style has lost nothing of its clarity and vigor: we ?moderns? readily understand it. And his message is as relevant as ever.

"Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation" is the first of the three tracts written by Martin Luther in 1520. In this work, he defined for the first time the signature doctrines of the priesthood of all believers and the two kingdoms. After the church made a strong attempt at drawing distinct lines on saying who had authority in the spiritual sphere and its matters. This division of Christians into spheres motivated Luther to write on the "three walls" the "Romanists" created to protect themselves from reform. "Prelude on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church" is a theological treatise, the second of the three major tracts from 1520. In this work Luther examines the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church in the light of his interpretation of the Bible. With regard to the Eucharist, he advocates restoring the cup to the laity, dismisses the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation but affirms the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, and rejects the teaching that the Mass is a sacrifice offered to God. "A Treatise on Christian Liberty" is the third of Luther''s major reforming treatises of 1520. It developed the concept that as fully forgiven children of God, Christians are no longer compelled to keep God''s law; however, they freely and willingly serve God and their neighbors. Luther also further develops the concept of justification by faith. In the treatise, Luther stated, "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all."

Prelude on the Babylonian Captivity of the Church is a theological treatise, one of the major tracts published by Martin Luther in 1520. In this work Luther examines the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church in the light of his interpretation of the Bible. With regard to the Eucharist, he advocates restoring the cup to the laity, dismisses the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation but affirms the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, and rejects the teaching that the Mass is a sacrifice offered to God.

Epistle Sermons of Martin Luther are a great guide for studying the Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost and provide an in depth look at each of these three portions of scripture. It also contains twenty-four practical sermons from Trinity Sunday to Advent. In these sermons, Luther hammered home the primacy of core Christian values such as love, patience, charity, and freedom, and reminded the citizens to trust God''s word rather than violence to bring about necessary change

The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude provide a critical and exegetical commentary on the foundation of faith by Martin Luther. On the great subject of justification by faith alone, Luther is here full and emphatic. The relation of faith to works is clearly and carefully defined, while the subjects presented in the text afford full opportunity for discussing the great questions that concern the relative duties of civil and social life.

A Treatise on Christian Liberty is one of Martin Luther''s major reforming treatises of 1520. It developed the concept that as fully forgiven children of God, Christians are no longer compelled to keep God''s law; however, they freely and willingly serve God and their neighbors. Luther also further develops the concept of justification by faith. In the treatise, Luther stated, "A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all."

Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation is one of the tracts written by Martin Luther in 1520. In this work, he defined for the first time the signature doctrines of the priesthood of all believers and the two kingdoms. After the church made a strong attempt at drawing distinct lines on saying who had authority in the spiritual sphere and its matters. This division of Christians into spheres motivated Luther to write on the "three walls" the "Romanists" created to protect themselves from reform: "Spiritual Power over Temporal" - The first wall of the "Romanists" that Luther criticized was that of the division of the spiritual and temporal state. "Authority to Interpret Scripture" - In the second part of the letter to the Christian nobility of the German nation, Luther debates the point that it is the Pope''s sole authority to interpret, or confirm interpretation of, scriptures "Authority to Call a Council" - The final part to Luther''s letter is the largest demonstration of his desire to see authority in control over the spiritual sphere shift to the temporal sphere.

On the Bondage of the Will was Martin Luther''s reply to Desiderius Erasmus'' work "On Free Will," which had appeared in 1524 as Erasmus'' first public attack on Luther after Erasmus had been wary about the methods of Luther for many years. At issue was whether human beings, after the Fall of Man, are free to choose good or evil. Erasmus had asserted that all humans possessed free will and that the doctrine of predestination was not in accord with the teachings contained in the Bible. Luther''s response was to reason that sin incapacitates human beings from working out their own salvation, and that they are completely incapable of bringing themselves to God. The debate between Luther and Erasmus is one of the earliest of the Reformation over the issue of free will and predestination.

Frontmatter -- Disputatio Pro Declaratione Virtutis Indulgentiarum. 1517 -- Ein Sermon Von Ablass Nnd Gnade. 1518. -- Backmatter