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"The Bondage of the Will" is a must for anyone interested in the doctrine of predestination. Luther himself declared this book to be one of the best he had ever written. The book is a response to "The Diatribe Concerning Human Freedom" by Erasmus. A great work by a masterful theologian, "The Bondage of the Will" covers what Luther believed concerning human free will, God's knowledge and future contingents, predestination, prevenient and efficacious grace, as well as the providence and glory of God. Luther is somewhat overbearing at times in his responses to Erasmus, but this simply helps the reader to understand Luther's personality a little better. Some will see "The Bondage of the Will"as nothing more than Martin Luther's combative apologetic against the doctrine of free will and works salvation. But this is precisely why it ranks among the best ever written because it passionately, logically, and decisively deals with the error concerning free will and the error adding any human merit to salvation. The subject matter according to Luther is "the hinge on which the whole gospel turns". "The Bondage of the Will" should be a standard text in Bible schools and seminaries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (57)

A Life-Changing Read
Before reading Luther's Bondage of the Will, I genuinely believed in, and defended the notion of, human free will. After reading his book, I asked myself where on earth I had gotten such an absurd idea.

Luther systematically demolishes any notion of human freedom using both scripture and plain logic, and what's more, he's totally hillarious.

I decided to also investigate what other theologians had to say on the subject, so I purchased (among other books), Norm Geisler's Chosen but Free. I was stunned to find that virtually all of Geisler's arguments in favor of human freedom had already been wholly obliterated 500 years earlier by the Father of the Reformation.

This book literally transformed the way I think, and I have never had a higher view of God than I do now, thanks to God's work through it's author.

Adequate but could be more
This translation of the classic work of Martin Luther is adequate to convey the message to the modern English reader. And the words of the Reformer will always merit our thoughtful attention. Comparing this publication with another translation of the same writing, namely the translation provided through Packer and Johnson, however, leads me to point others to the other publication. The primary reason: the other volume includes a lengthy and helpful "Historical and Theological Introduction" in addition to the Reformer's response to Erasmus. For basically the same amount of money, the other translation with the Introduction gives the reader much more.

One of the Top 5 All Time Important Books
I am so thankful that this book is now available in the Kindle Edition. I have been checking in every so often for several months to see if The Bondage of the Will was available for the Kindle. I have read the book edition a number of times, and I am convinced that it is one of the most important works --that is outside the Bible itself-- that has ever been written. In it, Luther makes mince meat of the wicked, humanistic, and worldly philosophic doctrine of free-will. All I can say is what a terrible day it will be when men who thought that they were right with God will be shown to have been trusting in something that they did of their own "free-will" rather than in the finished work of Christ alone. Luther makes it clear to Erasmus that the matter of man's will as it relates to salvation is the paramount issue in the discussion of salvation. To be wrong on this issue, ultimately means that one is wrong on the gospel. Think about that for a few moments, and you will begin to realize that the argument of Luther against Erasmus is is not some squabble over a non-essential. It is an argument over the core meaning of the gospel itself. Is the good news about God and man cooperating in the work of his (man's) salvation? Or, is it about man being helpless, and hopeless in his sinful state, and God doing EVERYTHING that is necessary for his salvation. Read Romans 9 and Ephesians 1, and then read Luther's answer to Erasmus' defense of free-will. Remember, faith cannot be a work of man's natural or native free-will, for just as soon as faith is made a product of man's free-will it becomes a work of man, and thus not acceptable to God. But when faith is viewed correctly as a thing that God works in a man by His Spirit through His own word (especially the Gospel) then you have the faith that justifies.
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Relentless Assault on the Doctrine of Free Will
In this classic Reformation work, Martin Luther aims to disarm and slay the doctrine of free will as argued by Desiderius Erasmus in his book "The Diatribe of Free Will."Luther perceived Erasmus' arguments to be dishonest at best, and damnable at worst, which granted to man a will that could freely choose either good or evil, God or sin.Luther argued vehemently that man is in fact born a hopeless slave of sin, whose will is never free, and who will inevitably serve the kingdom of darkness unless the Spirit of God intervenes.

Erasmus taught that man naturally possesses a will that is free to do good or evil, reasoning from the commands of God that we see throughout Scripture that man can freely choose either to obey or to disobey the commands.Luther countered with various passages of Scripture to show that man cannot keep these commands, and that the primary function of the Law is to show man his inability to keep it, and to cast him into despair, so that he might run to and rely on the grace of God through faith for salvation, and not on his own works.

Throughout the book, Luther defends other doctrines that are cherished by many Christians, such as the power and sufficiency of Scripture, the sovereignty of God, and our assurance of salvation.Although many Christians will disagree with various of Luther's points, we can all appreciate the passion that he shows in defending the grace of God.

I highly recommend this book for several reasons - to gain appreciation and perspective on the history of Protestant thought, to enjoy the quality of the writing and translation, to revel in the wit and genius of Martin Luther, to sharpen your mind and beliefs, and to enlarge your view of the sovereignty of God and the sufficiency of his grace.

Luther's classic response to Erasmus
Luther considered this, de servio arbitrio one of his greatest works but as another reviewer suggests, it is certainly not the last word on the issue of predestination. Still, as a great lover of Luther's writings, this work is elegant and easy to read with its common touch, although not containing as much of Luther's earthy wit as other pieces. A good place to start when trying to understand the relationship of foreknowledge and freewill but not the last word. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1963, Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the Civil Rights movement and demonstrated to the world the power of nonviolent direct action. Why We Can't Wait recounts not only the Birmingham campaign, but also examines the history of the civil rights struggle and the tasks that future generations must accomplish to bring about full equality for African Americans. Dr. King's eloquent analysis of these events propelled the Civil Rights movement from lunch counter sit-ins and prayer marches to the forefront of the American consciousness.

With a special new afterword by The Reverend Jesse Jackson. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Great service
The book was shipped very fast and it was in the described condition. Great !

Sad & Inspiring all at once!
A fantastic book about a sad and yet inspiring period of American history. Martin Luther King describes, in his own words, what happened in Birmingham, AL in 1962-3, what they were trying to achieve, and why it was so imperative that the momentum continue. Relative to reading history books on the topic in class, this account gives you a true sense for how amazing and brave those who took part in this movement are. Despite the massive injustice of the period, these inspiring people, held fast to non-violent protest.

I was amazed by careful mental training that people underwent to enter into protest. MLK describes the need for these individuals to be certain that they could react to physical violence without retaliation. I consider how quick the average person is to react to the most minor of slights in today's daily life. It makes you realize that training to fight is so much easier than training not to fight.

It was intriguing how they constructed the movement, standing fast despite the laws and pressures. Leaders had multiple opportunities to "get out easily". Yet, they held fast together in solidarity. Some even met death as a function of there beliefs.

For those studying the period, this type of first hand account provides the nuance that is necessary to understand the character and moral fiber of these brave individuals.

If Only He Had Lived
Dr. King proves in this book his steadfast bravery and determination.He fought, not for his own glory, but that a whole race of people could be free.Some critics will argue that he did not free the whole South, but he gave other leaders the courage to follow in his footsteps.He was a well spoken man who was sure of himself and who had the ability to inspire people with his words.

It is amazing that he felt the need to justfy something that we take for granted today.I fully believe that the gay rights movement needs a leader like this man, it takes a great person to inspire greatness in others.Dr. King saw evil in the world and he refused to stop until unjustice was abolished.

Transports you to an inside perspective of The Civil Rights movement
Eloquently written with careful word choice and countless metaphors.One cannot appreciate the civil rights movement and mourne its current state until they read this book.

Very highly recommended
When you think of Martin Luther King, Jr., you don't really think of the books he's written - but that can only be because his other accomplishments have been so overwhelming.This is an incredible book, expounding the potential of nonviolent direct action in the context of the then-recent struggle in Birmingham.In addition, Dr. King gives a preliminary look at his "Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged" - an economic aid package for poor and dispossessed Americans, both black and white.Reading this book over forty years after it was written, the fact that the US has still never addressed (or been made to address) reparations for slavery makes each page shine with renewed vigor.Finally, anyone who thinks Dr. King would not have supported affirmative action could benefit from a thorough reading of chapter eight.Overall, an enlightening and eye-opening insight into one of history's foremost thinkers. ... Read more

Product Description

There has been recent controversy in the African American community about youth and their lack of appreciation for the gains of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This stellar biography is a superb introduction to the foremost leader of the civil rights movement. The story and historical context will be eye-opening for students and a good refresher for others who are too young to have remembered the events. In a gripping narrative style, the biography traces the young Martin, the son and grandson of formidable preachers, to his calling as a minister too, but one who would take on the entrenched racism of the South, and North, through a nonviolent movement that changed the course of American history.

There has been recent controversy in the African American community about youth and their lack of appreciation for the gains of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This stellar biography is a superb introduction to the foremost leader of the civil rights movement. The story and historical context will be eye-opening for students and a good refresher for others who are too young to have remembered the events. In a gripping narrative style, the biography traces the young Martin, the son and grandson of formidable preachers, to his calling as a minister too, but one who would take on the entrenched racism of the South, and North, through a nonviolent movement that changed the course of American history.

King's story is compelling, starting from his early nurtured family life in an insular community of blacks in Atlanta. His education at Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University and courtship of Coretta Scott lead into the early days of the civil rights movement and King's leadership role in the major marches, demonstrations, boycotts, and sit-ins that took place, mainly in the South. Critical insight into the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations is given as King negotiates with the presidents for equal rights for blacks. The violent reactions against and hatred of many whites for those seeking racial justice are still shocking today. Against the backdrop of beatings, killings, bombings, threats, and imprisoning, King is portrayed as driven to lift up all Americans, even if it meant martyrdom.

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Customer Reviews (8)

MLK had three dreams
We all know about Dr Kings civil rights work, and his I HAVE A DREAM speach.Did you know that he had two other dreams? This book that explains Dr Kings vision for the end of poverty has been out of print 40 years. We could have ended povery a decade ago, except we choose to attach Iraq and blow up a trillion dollars doing it instead of ending poverty.Get the book, read Dr Kings formula for ending poverty, and try to help his dream come true.

amazing book
Very inspiring book and written in such a way that it drags you in and you want to go on and on reading. Very good example of nonviolent resistance movement.

A Wake-Up Call to Heal
This is an amazing and important book, out of print for much too long.It is an impassioned and urgent call to heal.Because it was written in the 1960's it is really two books.Part of the book is of important and historical interest.This involves Dr. King's take on what was going on in the country.

But the other part of the book is Dr. King's rallying cry of "Where do we go from here?"There are so many thoughts I could lift from the book to share.But given the space, here are just a few:

"Together we must learn to live as brothers or together we will be forced to perish as fools."Dr. King goes on to add, "The question now is, do we have the morality and courage required to live together as brothers and not be afraid?"

Dr. King was clearly seeing our drift towards chaos, and just as clearly was warning us that we must move towards community or perish.This is an even more urgent book today as it was in the 1960's.It is a book not only to read but refer back to, over an over.My sermon yesterday was on our propensity to divide ourselves into "us" and "them."Dr. King was a great believer in "us" - and far more eloquent than I can ever hope to be on the subject.Dr. King's point was that if we cannot find our common humanity, we must and will perish.In the end, there is no "them."There is only "us."

Civil Rights 1967
Dr. King's penultimate book provides a snapshot of where we were in 1967.Two turning points had been reached.

First, his program of nonviolent direct action was clearly winning the struggle against old fashioned southern segregation, and Dr. King was looking toward the next step.He believed that the next logical step toward setting people free was a massive government program addressing the problem of poverty.

Second, within the civil rights movement, a "black power" mentality was gaining prominence.Some argued that whites should be excluded from the civil rights movement, and that nonviolence should be abandoned.Dr. King insisted that this approach would only balkanize our country, having disastrous effect, especially on blacks.

As with his other books, the author's brilliance, his scholarship, and his Christian love all come through.

It would be best to read "Stride Toward Freedom" and "Why We Can't Wait" before reading this one.

The Truth Straight From The Source
The beauty and depth of this book is that it tells us about human political relations today even though it was written over 30 years ago!

I also like that it is Martin Luther King in his own words (not some opportunistic interpretation of his ideas) on subjects like:
Black Power
Affirmative Action
Poverty
Love

It also makes it painfully clear the Martin Luther King Jr. was far more extraordinary in his leadership than we give him credit for being today.He thought deeply, connected the dots, and put his life behind his ideals.This is a must read for anyone who hasn't already connected the dots between justice, religion and love. ... Read more

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In the three decades since April 4, 1968, when Martin Luther King, Jr., was shot to death in Memphis, scores of books and articles have questioned whether James Earl Ray, King's killer, acted alone or was part of a larger conspiracy. Now, based on explosive new interviews, confidential files, and previously undisclosed evidence, bestselling author Gerald Posner finally resolves the simple truth of the last great political murder mystery of the 1960s, definitively proving that Ray acted alone. Beginning with a straightforward narrative of the events before, during, and after the shooting, Posner untangles the case's leading puzzles: Was there a mysterious person named Raoul who directed Ray in the year leading up to the murder? Were the FBI, the CIA, or an arm of the Mafia involved?Did the military have a covert team of snipers in Memphis on the day King died?Was James Earl Ray a patsy, as the King family has publicly declared?At the heart of this book is an in-depth profile of Ray himself, a fascinating profile of a career criminal from one of the most forsaken parts of poor white America. Posner re-creates the memorable dramas of the case: Dr. King's rousing "mountaintop" speech the night before his death; the chilling moments of the assassination; Ray's frantic flight across four countries as he tried to escape justice; and the shock of the King family's embrace of Ray just before his own death in jail. A riveting search for justice, Killing the Dream finally thwarts James Earl Ray's efforts to take his secrets to the grave, and proves the identity of King's killer beyond a shadow of a doubt.Amazon.com Review
It's been 30 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was shot todeath in Memphis, an event that reverberated throughout a startledcountry still coming to terms with the assassination of President JohnF. Kennedy. Like Kennedy's, King's assassination sparked conspiracytheories about who or what faction was ultimately responsible for hisdeath. Did James Earl Ray act alone? Or was he a patsy?

In Killing the Dream, Gerald Posner, author of Case Closed,brings to light interesting new evidence, from confidential files topreviously undisclosed facts, in an attempt to discriminate rumor fromtruth. Posner looks for answers to questions about where the fatalshot was fired from, the role of elite military personnel who werepresent in the area, and what social connections drove Ray in the yearleading up to the murder.

Besides focusing on the day of the assassination and the courtroombattles that followed, Posner's book also offers a detailedexamination of Ray's life, from his years in the army to his career asa petty hood. This well-researched study of the characters and theevents preceding and following the murder makes for an honest,non-sensationalist journalistic account of events that have beendistorted and convoluted over time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (43)

Why was, King assassinated?
IN- STEP WITH ESTABLISHMENT REVIEWERS, GERALD POSNER IS A "COMPANY MAN" AND FARCICAL LIAR "TAKING YOU FOR ANOTHER RIDE". HE WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE IN THE TOOTH FAIRY, THE EASTER BUNNY, SANTA CLAUSE AND THE LONE GUNMAN IN THE JFK ASSASSINATION AS WELL AS THIS LATEST FARCE. AND, AS IT RELATES TO POSNERS' CURRENT WORK OF HOCUS- POCUS, THINKING PEOPLE CAN REFER TO THE FOLLOWING YOUTUBE POSTINGS:
" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfAAl-EhzBE " (BE SURE TO CUE TIME COUNTER POSITION "01:40"), AND ALSO " http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sjHtczIKS4 "(BE SURE TO CUE TIME COUNTER POSITION "03:00") FORMORE, REALISTIC ACCOUNTS. ALSO, GO TO:
" http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/590.html "(BE SURE TO CUE TIME COUNTER POSITION "1:05:55") FORA "PERSON OF INTERESTS` "STORY OF EVENTS, OF THAT FATEFUL DAY IN AMERICAN HEGEMONY, er, HISTORY.
GET BACK @ ME.

Outstanding - and I'm pro-conspiracy!
Having read several books on MLK's assassination, and well over 100 on JFK's, I am not what you would call anti-conspiracy.When you mix in the fact that I found Posner's "Case Closed" to be absolutely horrible, well, you can understand why I expected to hate this one as well.Boy, was I wrong.

Posner's study of James Earl Ray and the MLK is far more reasoned - and reasonable - than "Case Closed" ever hoped to be.He does a terrific job of painting a portrait of Ray as a potential killer.And, while debunking most of the existing conspiracy theories, Posner does not dismiss conspiracy entirely.In fact, he implies that Ray conspired with his brothers to commit the crime in order to collect the bounty on MLK placed by a St. Louis man.

Read with an open mind and you just might be surprised!

An Excellent Read, But No "Case Closed"
Posner's book is an exhaustive and compelling study of the assassination of MLK, focussing almost entirely on James Earl Ray, the barely-bright loser who decided to kill him.The level of detail is really staggering-- Posner deserves praise for following up every smidgen of info about this cretinous character.The book is worth reading-- but I would recommend reading Posner's supremely accomplished "Case Closed" first, if you haven't.The JFK murder offers thousands of fascinating sideroads to explore, and Posner digs into each."Case Closed" is a masterstroke, so this book, covering a crime with a less compelling mystery, pales next to it.

James Earl Ray's Story
This book outlines the events leading up to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., together with the subsequent investigations and controversies.Posner, trained in law, has hunted down the details of the case used as evidence in the various legal hearings over the years.He explains why King happened to be in Memphis that fateful day, and describes who King had been with and what they had been discussing in the minutes before the assassination.He also provides an extensive profile of James Earl Ray, from his parents' stormy marriage, to Ray's first arrests and incarcerations, to his jail break and attempts to flee the country prior to murdering King.Posner traces Ray's movements, both those substantiated through independent records and witnesses, as well as Ray's own accounts, written to fulfill media contracts to pay for his legal defense.Posner goes on to describe the various legal proceedings concerning Ray and the King case, and the development of conspiracy theories regarding the King assassination. He makes it clear, however, that any reasonable examination of the evidence points to Ray as the sole assassin.

A particularly disturbing aspect of King's assassination is that from the time of Ray's first detention in England following the murder, Ray's defense lawyers were to receive their compensation from the sale of Ray's story.Thus, Ray and his lawyers had every motivation to develop a sensational story to explain the damning evidence.Indeed, the more sensational, the better, since increased sales of the story would mean higher fees for the defense team.Posner describes here how the lawyers who agreed to defend Ray on these terms also had little motivation to provide a strong defense once the matter of the fees had been settled, and how this led to the decision to push for a plea bargain instead of a jury trial.From Posner's telling, it's unclear whether Ray was a schizophrenic who believed in his own tales, or a pathological liar who was especially skilled at weaseling out of crimes with preposterous stories.What is clear, though, is that Ray was extremely racist, so full of hate for Blacks, that while serving a prison term prior to shooting King, he wouldn't accept a transfer from a high security prison to the lower security prison farm because it would mean having to live and work with Blacks for the first time in his life.With this in mind, it is unfathomable that Ray was able, through construction of his stories, to convince members of the King family and other prominent African Americans of his innocence.Aside from the King assassination itself, that's the real tragedy of this story.

Posner does a remarkable job of uncovering what really happened in the case and pointing out the inconsistencies with Ray's claims.Posner details some of the more recent claims of conspiracy theorists, showing how they are completely unsubstantiated by military records and interviews with supposed witnesses.In some cases, Posner overstates himself, declaring that certain of Ray's actions are "clear evidence" when, at best, they might "strongly suggest" his motivations.Nevertheless, the story is well told and provides an informative account of this important episode in American history.

More Political Propaganda
This book, like Posner's book on The Kennedy Assassination, is one that claims (but fails to) solve the case. Posner's ego aside, this book also mimics the book He did on the Kennedy Assassination becausethis book, like the Kennedy one, is a book that is long on speculation, long on twisting things to suit his own opinion, but short on facts and short on truths.
This does not serve the readers of his books well, at all.
Then again, Posner cares so little about history that he doesnt even care enough to study the facts of history, so why should we be surprised when he cares less about his readers, and more about getting his name in the "spotlight"?
This book, like Posner's "Case closed" book, fails to close the case....in fact on its absurdity alone, it strengthens the notion that we the people have not been told the truth about the political assassinations that have killed our most talented leaders.
This book, true to Posner's writing style, is all one sided.
It does not consider other possibilities. It just tries to debunk alternative theories, but fails miserably, thus actually giving credence to the alternative theories.
Is this surprising? No. After all does anyone truly believe that this guy, this ONE man has actually solved two of the most mysterious murder cases in U.S. History, while thousands of others have failed? Posner wants us to believe that he has solved the cases that NOBODY else has been able to solve for decades. That alone should make him suspect.
Posner's books are propaganda for the government's "version" of these events (I.E. The version they WANT us to believe). The fact that one of the people who helped Posner to publish his books was once married to the Secretary of James Angleton, the CIA Counterintelligence chief (I.E. Disinformation Chief) should be a signal for people to not be suckered in by this man's books. But, by all means, enjoy them.


... Read more

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One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With these lively, inspiring, fictionalized biographies -- easily read by children of eight and up -- today's youngster is swept right into history. ... Read more

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Martin Luther (1483-1546) was educated by the Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt and at the University of Erfurt. He believed in the Pauline principle of justification by faith. Faith is a gift from God made available to humans by the incarnation of God the Son. This led him to challenge the corruption of the Church and he became the main leader of the Protestant Reformation. This volume is a selection of recollections, by friends and family, of things Luther said informally. It is therefore not as heavily theological as his writings, but rather an easily accessible and personal account of the German Reformation. This book celebrates the atmosphere of intellectual and spiritual freedom that was found at this time. These are thoughts of Luther as he relaxed with friends, and through them we glimpse beyond the theologian to the whole man; his feelings, ideas and even his humour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Censored
I was very disappointed to learn that this version was CENSORED. They've omitted some original material. That was why I wanted the "Table Talk". It's supposed to be the REAL Martin Luther. Very disappointing!!!!

Tabletalk and Plain Talk
Martin Luther, a brilliant, multi-lingual theologian and scholar, never lost his bond with the common man.That reality is evident in Tabletalk, in his sermons, and in his Small Catechism.Luther and his wife, Katie, lived in a large house that provided an ideal setting for the frequent gatherings of Luther's peers and those who simply wanted to hear more from their spiritual leader.

An interesting read
This book is perhaps the most candid look we have into the life and thoughts of Luther.It has its spiritually inspiring moments but for the most part is just good solid Luther logic.

Great thoughts; terrible editing
Martin Luther never ceases to amaze and inspire me with his brilliance and insights. This edition is so poorly edited, however,that there are mispellings throughout and some sentences have not been corrected for grammar. Since this work is in the public domain, you would think that the publishing house would have spent the minimal expense to edit it. It makes great reading but no thanks to the publisher.

A TRUTHFUL LOOK!!! / MUST HAVE SOME TRUTH...
From one of the greatest thinkers of all time.We owe so much to this man, that we ought to at least consider what this document tries to teach us.This of course does NOT reflect this group entirely, for there are GOOD people in ALL groups.However, we must study this book and draw from it the warnings that GOD has given us through Marin Luther.A GREAT read even if you are not religious. ... Read more

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A foreword by Frank R. Zindler describes the relations ofthe never-excommunicated Catholic Adolf Hitler with two popes and hiscomment that "Luther, if he could be with us, would give us hisblessing." A reprint of a book written during the last months of thewar in Europe, the book discusses Luther the man, his unstablecharacter, his often treacherous actions, his views and teachings onmarriage, truth, the state, war, the Jews, the peasants, andGermany. The growth of the unrealistic, positive legend of Luther isexamined, with a concluding essay "From Luther to Hitler." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Martin Luther Hitler's Spiritual Ancestor

This book was originally written in 1942 by an English University professor who emigrated from Germany as a child. There are some generalizations in the book accepted as fact due to this experience. This is a very eye-opening book, as I explained to another fellow, what Luther said Hitler did, (and, as the book points out, Hitler was a Catholic.) But I was reading a book on Paul and the author kept repeating the point that the Lutheran Paul had lost credibility in light of recent historical events. I put Luther and Jews in Google, and found this book and the book Luther wrote, The jews and their Lies.

Objective and historically accurate
It seems to me that there are many here who treat Luther as a demi-god. To them Luther could do no wrong because he saved us from the big, bad Catholic Church.

I am tired of people apologizing for Luther's comments, saying that he is being taken "out of context". How do you take it "out of context" when you read that Luther said that we should round the Jews into their synagogues and burn it down? Is there a way that can be taken in a nice way? I have read how the apologists for Luther explain away his quotes, such as when he said we should "sin boldly". It doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Or how can this be taken out of context?

"Christ committed adultery first of all with the woman at the well about whom Saint John tells us. Was not everybody about Him saying: `Whatever has he been doing with her?" Secondly, with Mary Magdalene, and thirdly with the woman taken in adultery whom He dismissed so lightly. Thus even Christ, who was so righteous, must have been guilty of fornication before He died"

How can that statement be taken out of context? How can it be, within the right context, that it is all right to say that our Lord was a fornicator?

The author was not a Catholic. He did not have an axe to grind. He does nothing but quotes from Luther to speak for himself. The quotes are extensive. Even if half of the can be explained away, it still shows a very dark side to Luther.

By contrast, the apologists for Luther are Lutheran or at least Protestant. I would like to see a non-Protestant defend Luther. Then their arguments would carry weight.

Luther was a very complex individual. One minute he could write something very beautiful, the next minute he could write something very ugly. His apologists try to explain away his uqly quotes. His detractors ignore his
beautiful quotes. But the truth is that he was capable of saying both.

Historiographical Accuracy
Any person who has read Wiener's book and taken it at face value needs to read the book written in response to it in its historical context.Gordon Rupp's book, "Martin Luther, Hitler's Cause of Cure:In Reply to Peter F. Wiener," 1945, dismantles Wiener's thesis by:showing his use of quotes out of textual and historical context; his use of English translations of Luther taken third-hand from German-to French-then to English; dependence on secondary sources, and his failure to follow the development of Luther's thought.Luther has been blamed for many of the world's ills, isn't it time the blame be placed on the right sources and writers work for resolution of the problems instead of using Luther as a "whipping boy."

Unlike Wiener and Hitler, Luther did some good in his life
!!!!
Mr. Wiener is playing on people's ignorance of Martin Luther to sell books.

Just looking at the photo on the page is enough to convince any thinking individual that the author has an obvious ax to grind and is willing to try and color the publics rational thought process by any means, especially guilt by association, to effect a negative opinion of Martin Luther, the great Protestant reformer whom we owe so much to this day.

Martin Luther was one of the most courageous spirits in human history who at the same time never lost his humanity.When all the world was sucked up into Catholicism's inconsistencies and power, Martin Luther stood alone and said God was not owned by the Catholic Church, thus allowing a freedom that had been denied to Christians for hundreds of years before and enjoyed hundreds of years afterwards, to this day.Perhaps the freedom we now enjoy is enjoyed too recklessly and in vain as evidenced by such books as Wiener's.

It is absolutely asinine to try to link Martin Luther to the holocaust and Hitler.

Martin Luther in truth was the spiritual ancestor of nearly e-v-e-r-y-one today.Hitler distorted so many truths and perverted every good thing he could, falsified so much and smeared so many, I don't see how you can blame the victims of such mischaracterizations or use them as a scapegoat.

Even the Bible has been used for evil.I don't see how any one can blame Martin Luther if Hitler found something in Martin Luther's writings to pervert. But that is the book game these days---try and smear someone's good name in order to sell books.

After a while those who are truly interested in the truth will understand what a grave injustice Weiner has tried to do to a person who has done so much for humanity, even still today, while others like Wiener are only interested in destroying for destructions sake which leads you to ask the question, "Is Hitler Wiener's ancestor?"

Controversy comes in small packages
"Hitler's spiritual ancestor" is a short book that tackles some very large questions.The author Peter Wiener wrote the book towards the end of World War II and was a Christian of German origin. The huge questions that he tackles include: "How could the German people allow Hitler to lead them into a war that was so brutal, destructive and remorseless?", "Who was Martin Luther...really?" and "What part did Martin Luther's teachings play in the horrific genocide of the second world war?". Although the author doesn't answer all these questions completely (then again who could?), he brings up some excellent points and allows the reader to "see for themselves".

This work does not portray Luther as the "Great Reformer" that many theologians remember him as. The author does an excellent job of portraying Luther with 'warts and all' and he does this by using Luther's own writings against him. He argues that Luther set the scene for the bloodiest genocide in human history. His teachings, and his philosophy were instrumental in paving the way for a German nation filled with people that had a warped idea of Christianity and humanity. In fact the author portrays it as a "pseudo-political German religion" that puts the nation first and Jesus second. After hundreds of years of being indoctrinated by Luther and his unbelievable theology, it is no wonder that the people of Germany were so easily able to accept Hitler and his maniacal, nationalistic ideas of ethnic cleansing. ... Read more

Product Description
This title is suitable for ages 4 to 8 years. Beginning with King's childhood and following his life through his "I Have a Dream Speech" and subsequent death, this book reveals (in age-appropriate language) how King ended segregation in America and influenced the way we live our lives today. ... Read more

Product Description
This first volume in Martin Brecht's three-volume biography recounts Luther's youth and young adulthood up to the period of the Diet of Worms. Brecht, in a clear, eloquent translation by James Schaaf, discusses Luther's education at the University of Erfurt, his monastic life, his canonical trial in 1519, the Leipzig debate, and his earliest contributions to the beginning of the Reformation. Illustrations enrich the text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

An extrordinary achievement
Martin Brecht's monumental three-volume biography of Martin Luther consists of Martin Luther: His Road to Reformation 1483-1521, Martin Luther 1521-1532: Shaping and Defining the Reformation, and Martin Luther The Preservation of the Church Vol 3 1532-1546, all published in English translation from the German by Fortress Press. To date I have worked through the first two volumes and am now embarking on the third. [see update below]

These three volumes represent an extraordinary achievement. For a full appreciation, however, it is important to understand what exactly Brecht set out to do and what makes this work so valuable. His work is neither a traditional biography of Martin Luther, nor a systematic treatment of Luther's theology. What Brecht gives us here is closer to an exposition or digest of Luther's works (his books, sermons, and correspondence) set within a narrative context.

Luther produced an enormous amount of material during his lifetime, with the standard English translation of Luther's works running to 55 large volumes (Luther's Works, eds. Jaroslav Pelikan and Helmut T. Lehmann). Brecht seems to have mastered not only this material, but the writings of many of Luther's opponents and contemporaries as well. The great service he has rendered for those of us who are not Luther specialists is that we now can turn to the appropriate section of Brecht's work for summary expositions of any of Luther's works and understand them in their particular historical context. Or perhaps better yet, we can read the biography to get a sense of Luther's activity as a whole, pausing here and there to read for ourselves particular works that strike our interest. For that purpose an excellent, affordable companion to Brecht is the beautifully bound and boxed four volume set edited by Theodore Tappert called Selected Writings of Martin Luther (Fortress Press, 2007).

And what a benefit all this is to students and scholars! Imagine one is researching a particular event (for example, the Diet of Augsburg) or controversy (say, the sacramentarian controversy). Brecht will not only introduce us to those events and the major works related to them, but will bring into the discussion the more obscure sermons and letters of Luther from that period that shed important light of Luther's thinking. Consistent with his emphasis on primary sources is the fact that Brecht almost never mentions contemporary scholars in the body of his text. Endnotes cite the appropriate locations in Luther's Works (both English and German editions) along with any relevant secondary literature (the latter mostly in German).

As I mentioned, this is not a traditional biography. The best biography of Luther in my opinion remains Roland Bainton's, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther (Hendrickson Classic Biographies). In fact, Brecht seems to assume some knowledge of the key events, personages and locations on the part of his readers. Brecht includes helpful plates and illustrations, but no maps. He is less adept than Bainton and certain other biographers at painting the texture of a scene, or depicting the dramatic ebb and flow of events, or really helping us understand the driving inspiration behind some of the secondary characters. And to be honest, some narrative or descriptive portions can be tedious - for example, the initial chapter on Luther's ancestry and childhood (1:1-21) or the details of the struggle between Luther and the Zwickau city council (2:439-446). These are areas where Brecht seems to be striving for completeness or perhaps attempting to make an original contribution by unraveling the details of a complicated situation.

The weaknesses just listed are things we can live with. Brecht has rendered us a great service with the wisdom, time and talent that he has poured into these volumes. This leads me to a final comment on the quality of the printing. These volumes are printed by Fortress Press (now Augsburg Fortress). I called the publisher in September 2009 and discovered that all three of these volumes are now available ONLY in "Print-On-Demand." The volume I saw printed this way was very difficult to read, but with some effort I was able to track down copies from earlier, regular printings. Let's hope that the publisher will go back to a regular printing. "Print-On-Demand" is not the way such an extraordinary achievement should be treated - by a Lutheran press no less!

UPDATE: I have now completed the third volume and, as I expected, there are no changes necessary to my review above. Note that each volume has its own index, while volume three contains a additional, more comprehensive subject index covering the entire set. Finally, I assume that the "Print-On-Demand" problem noted above can be avoided entirely now with the appearance of the Kindle Edition.

Essential!
Any one that wants to know what it was that was the motivation in Martin Luther's journey, needs to have this in the library! My only problem is that now I will have to order the other two volumes in the series! :)

Very disappointed with the readability of this book
While I haven't read the book yet and am not at all commenting on the value of the content, I was shocked when it arrived and I opened it up to thumb through it to notice that it doesn't appear to even have been typeset, but photocopied.It is VERY difficult to read.Many of the illustrations are so highly contrasted that they are difficult to view in any detail.I'm guessing that the publisher simply digitally copied the hardcover version of this book, though I'm not certain about that.Whatever the method of creating it, I would suggest either purchasing a hardcover copy if you can find one or wait for this one to come out on the Kindle (if you have one), as the other two volumes of this trilogy are already available on the kindle. I'm hoping that I don't have the same problem with the typeface on the kindle, though given the poor quality of this book it may take me years to get through it and on to 2nd volume.

Simply the Best
There is no other biography of Luther, in English, that surpasses this volume, and the other two in the series, by Martin Brecht. These volumes are the most comprehensive biographies of Luther available to day. Brecht is a very careful scholar and offers the reader a detailed description of Luther's life and work. While not as readable as Bornkamm's single volume's on Luther in mid-career, Brecht offers a depth and scope of detail available nowhere else.

Fascinating depth of background on Luther
This book is the first part of a trilogy on the life of Luther.(The other volumes are:"Martin Luther: Shaping and Defining the Reformation," and "Martin Luther:The Preservation of the Church.")This book starts with Luther's birth and early life.We can feel as though we're at Luther's side as he begins study at the university, makes a vow to become a monk during a frightening thunderstorm, and sets out to become a very observant monk, developing the scolarship and focuses that will lead him to start an accidental reformation.Very interesting and detailed information.This volume takes us up to the posting of the 95 Theses.It also contains many interesting photographs. ... Read more

Product Description
The Matin Luther King Assassination exposes an admitted contract killer with CIA ties who confessed to involvement in an unauthorised CIA and U.S. Government conspiracy to kill Dr. King. Other shocking revelations include:

* An interview with a high-ranking ex-CIA agent that confirms, for the first time, how the agency targeted Dr. King.

* How the courrier who brought James Earl Ray his escape money after the assassination was tracked and confronted

* How the mysterious Ray lookalike (questioned as a suspect at the assassination scene) was tracked down and interviewed

Philip H. Melanson, Ph.D., is one of the nation's leading experts on the history of American political violence. He found much lacking in the "official" explanation of the King assassination, so he conducted an independent investigation into the murder of King and discovered astonishing flaws in the government's conclusions.

Questioning the "official" findings, he went on to uncover vast amounts of new data that has never been considered in the case and that leads to unavoidable re-evaluations. In addition to the CIA connection, Dr, Melanson's book details how:

* On the morning of the assassination, King's Memphis police tactical surveillance was mysteriously withdrawn

* James Earl Ray was framed by evidence manufactured and planted at the crime scene

* The FBI kept the King family under surveillance and attempted to propagandize the lone-assassination conclusions (revealed in an FBI document)

The Martin Luther King Assassination concludes that the plot was hatched by elements of the intelligence community - probably CIA. Renegade agents of the government's security apperatus decided to eliminate Dr. King because he represented an otherwise unassailable national security threat due to his views on the Vietnam War. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

If you read no other book on the assassination of MLK read this one.
I cannot believe there are no reviews for this book.

Today is not a good day for me to review any of Phil's wonderfulbooks, he just died. But that said, if you like a really well-written "who done it?" read this.

I read it several years ago when it was first published and read many parts of it aloud to my husband Erick.It's that good.I could not put it down, even in the car (No, I was not driving).

Like with the murder of JFK- there was muchmystery surrounding the 4/4/68 murder of Dr. Martin Luther King.Unlike JFK however there has not been a lot written on this case. This is a great place to begin your study.

In 1994 James Earl Ray had a chance, during the hotly contested mini trial in Memphis presided over by Judge Joe Brown. Until Brown was removed.If Ray was the killer, why not have a full hearing? Why remove the judge?

Because like LHO, Ray did not kill MLK. Another "patsy".

Don't take my word for it, readDr. Phil Melanson's meticulously researched book.

Then support recently introduced legislation into this unsolved murder.

Take back America folks, soon it will be too late.

Dawn Meredith
Austin, Tx. ... Read more

Product Description
This Companion provides an accessible introduction to Martin Luther for students of theology and history and everyone interested in the life, work and thought of the first great Protestant reformer. Historians and theologians present a complete picture of Luther's major writing themes and the ways in which his ideas spread and continue to be important. The Companion is oriented to those with little or no background in Luther studies, as well as teachers and specialists. ... Read more

Product Description
Perhaps no work of Martin Luther's so captures the revolutionary zeal and theological boldness of his vision as The Freedom of a Christian. Yet, it is not easily accessible today. MarkTranvik's new translation of Luther's treatise brings alive the social, historical, and ecclesial context of Luther's treatise.

This is the first of a set of student guides to key Reformation treatises by Martin Luther, concentrating on those most widely used in college settings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Making Luther accessible to a whole new generation!
An unfortunate circumstance in our age of media and information overload is that students are more informed on modern trends and popular culture than they are of history.This lack of exposure to history can be a real handicap to students as they labor through the writings of theological giants like Calvin, Luther, and others.In order to bridge this gap, publishers are producing many reader's and study editions of important works in order to make these writings accessible to a whole new generation.Hats off to Fortress Press for doing just that, with this updated edition of Martin Luther's The Freedom of a Christian:Luther Study Edition.

Mark D. Tranvik puts twenty plus years of teaching Martin Luther's The Freedom of a Christian to work in bringing us this most excellent Luther study edition.This volume offers an updated translation as well as very thorough footnotes and commentary.With these helps as their guide, readers with minimal exposure to Luther's writings and their historical context will be able to follow along with relative ease.I particularly enjoyed the introductory chapter titled Martin Luther's Road to Freedom.It gives the reader a good idea of the extent to which the fear of death and the devil dominated the culture of the sixteenth century.This chapter also offers a brief biographical sketch of the life of Martin Luther and as the title of the chapter suggests, his road to freedom.

The remainder of the book is comprised of two parts.First is Luther's letter to Pope Leo X in which he notes that he has dedicated his short essay on the entire Christian life (i.e. The Freedom of a Christian) to Pope Leo.Second is Luther's essay titled The Freedom of a Christian.Here Luther explains his course of history altering understanding of the justification of sinners by faith and the good works that follow.Readers will also want to make use of the short glossary at the end of the book, which defines some of the important people, places, and concepts relevant to the essay.

All things considered, I must give this new edition of The Freedom of a Christian a rating of five stars.This updated edition will be useful for both a classroom setting and personal study.Those long acquainted with Luther and those discovering Luther for the first time will both benefit greatly from this new volume.Readers who enjoy this work will also want to consider Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings, 2nd Edition (Fortress Press, 2005).

Mark D. Tranvik is Associate Professor of Religion at Augsburg Fortress College, Minneapolis, and director of the Lilly Endowment Program on vocation there.

Martin Luther
This book is billed as the most important of Luther's writings, next to his Small Catechism.It was written before he was excommunicated from the Catholic church and also contains his letter to Pope Leo.This book was enlightening, even to a life long Lutheran, and stimulated much discussion about our beliefs and their basis in our book club.The translation is quite readable (some of our group were worried about reading something written in the 16th century).I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know the basis of the Lutheran Church, written in the words of Luther himself.

Highly Recommended
A great distinction of the biblical dichotomies of master and servant, of freedom and bondage, and of the inner person (what a person in Christ Jesus is constructed of) and the outer person (what a person in Christ Jesus is constructed for). About 45 pages and includes editorial footnotes. Written in 1520 and continues to be quite applicable.

The book also includes 12 pages containing a letter from Martin Luther to Pope Leo X, written in the year 1520.

(Written in 1520; this publication and binding was in 2008) ... Read more

Product Description
Presents a brief look at the life of Martin Luther King Jr. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Martin Luther King, Jr.
I bought this to use in my 6th grade reading classroom. It is excellent to use to teach reading skills such as main idea, author's purpose, or summarizing. I put it in a center and students have 10 minutes to use the book for an assignment. Since it is at a lower reading level, students have success in building skills to use in higher level texts.

This book is a good addition to the grade 1-6 classroom library. ... Read more

Product Description
Martin Luther's thought continues to challenge people throughout the world in the twenty-first century.His paradigmatic shift in defining God and what it means to be human left behind a foundation for viewing human creatures that was anchored in Aristotle's anthropology.Luther defined the Revealed God in terms of his mercy and love for human beings, based not on their merit and performance but rather on his unconditioned grace.He placed 'fearing, loving, and trusting God above all else' at the heart of his definition of being human.

This volume places the development and exposition of these key presuppositions in Luther's thinking within the historical context of late medieval theology and piety as well as the unfolding dynamics of political and social change at the dawn of the modern era.Special attention is given the development of a 'Wittenberg way' of practicing theology under Luther's leadership.It left behind a dependence on allegorical methods of biblical interpretation for a 'literal-prophetic' approach to Scripture.More importantly, it placed the distinction between the 'gospel' as God's unmerited gift of identity as his children and the 'law', the expression of God's expectations for the performance of his children in good works, at the heart of all interpretation of the Bible.This presuppositional framework for practicing theology reflects Luther's personal experience and his deep commitment to pastoral care of common Christians as well as his reading of the biblical text.It is supported by his distinction of two kinds of human righteousness (passive in God's sight, active in relationship to others), his distinction of two realms or dimensions of human life, and his theology of the cross.The volume unfolds Luther's maturing thought on the basis of this method. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great but pricey resource
This is a great resource into understanding Luther's motivations, inspirations and influence upon his time and sets a needed foundation for understanding the protestant Christian movement and the Lutheran church.The only negative is that the Kindle edition is very pricey for an electronic resource. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Christmas Hymn
I was happy to see the full text of Luther's hymn set to a beautiful sequence of illustrations of the Savior's birth. I wasn't really expecting just the hymn text when I purchased the book... I guess I expected a story along with it... but was pleased to see the story told only through the lyrics Luther originally wrote.

A beautiful book for children of all ages. It will make this hymn more memorable for all who read the book. Hopefully it will help some to really read the meaning of the hymn's words instead of just absently reciting them, as we all sometimes do.

Definitely a treasure - and a keepsake! ... Read more

Product Description
The concept of God's two kingdoms was foundational to Luther and subsequent Lutheran theology. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, that concept has been understood primarily as a political concept. But is a political reading of the two kingdoms a perversion of Luther's teaching?Leading Reformation scholar William Wright contends that those who read Luther politically and see in Luther a compartmentalized approach to Christian life are misreading the Reformer. Wright reassesses the original breadth of Luther's theology of the two kingdoms and the cultural contexts from which it emerged. He argues that Luther's two-kingdom worldview was not a justification for living irresponsibly on planet earth. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the German monk who led the Protestant Reformation in Europe from its beginning in 1517 until his death in 1546. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Sunday school material
I am teaching 4th grade Sunday School and it is vital to understand the catechism.This material is very readable and very detailed, perfect for a teacher.

Very Comprehensive Book
This is not light reading. If you want the ten commandments spelled out as to how every little thing that can possibly fall under it than this is your book. A must for every Lutheran home or those who are interested in the teachings of Martin Luther.

Luther's Large Catechism
I thought it was pretty good.Easy to understand for the most part.I thought it was definitely worth my time to read it. And it increased my desire to serve God.

All About Lutheran
This book is smilar to Luther's own small catechism, but deals with only differant aspects of theutheran dogma than it. In this there are covered: The 10 Commandments, The Lord's Prayer, Baptism and Sacrament of the altar, among others. What I really like is that you need to be in attendance regularly of a Lutheran church to really know what is being talked about in this book. Martin Luther, the author of this book, rifting from the Catholic church in the 1500s and founded the Protestant branch of CHristianity and his last name Luther is where the Lutheran denomination comes from. Don't mistake Martin Luther with Martin Luther King Jr. Though King Jr. is on a similar stature in Christianity with him, they were two differant people during two differant eras in Christianity.

Lutheran perspective
Being a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) I can say that this is one of the greatest theological writings outside of the Bible ever.It is a wonderful overview of many biblical truths.Many of his arguments such as his support for infant-baptism are practically impossible to soundly refute. If you agree with his theology or not, it is a valuable resource for anyonewho wants to grow in the Christian faith or learn about what Lutheransbelieve. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in Dragonfly--from the acclaimed creator of the Caldecott Honor Book Tar Beach comes a personal and captivating portrait of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Amazon.com Review
Faith Ringgold had a dream about Martin Luther King. Simplynarrated in her own voice, Ringgold--award-winning creator of Tar Beach and Aunt Harriet's UndergroundRailroad in the Sky paints a vivid, powerful picture of King'schildhood and strong family life, along with glimpses of prejudice,segregation, and protest. Her vision blurs dreamily into King's adultlife--from his family, to protests of Rosa Parks's arrest, even to hisassassination: "This time we had come to mourn Martin LutherKing's death by trading in bags containing our prejudice, hate,ignorance, violence, and fear for the slain hero's dream. We emptiedthe bags onto a great pile, and as the last bag was dumped, the pileexploded into a fire so bright that it lit up the whole world. There,emblazoned across the sky, were the words: EVERY GOOD THING STARTSWITH A DREAM." Illustrated with Ringgold's dramatic folk-modernpaintings, My Dream of Martin Luther King is one of the mostcreative, successful, accessible tributes to Martin Luther King forchildren that we've seen. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Facinating book on Martin Luther King Jr.!
Students were very absorbed in this book.They found the story exciting and it stimulated a great discussion.The idea that someone could dream about Martin Luther King Jr. and see him as a child and then as an adult allowed students to think about how different dreams are from reality.Students were anxious to borrow the book and share it with their families.

Beautifully illustrated and well written
This beautifully illustrated and well written book was a must have for my daughters library.She's a new teacher and a lover of good books.What adelight to buy this book for her!

Outstanding!
This is the best picture book I've come across concerning the Civil Rights movement of the 60's.The previous reviewer is correct in that the abstractness of the imagery is difficult for younger children, but that isprecisely the beauty of the book. With a little explaining, my third gradeclass was still touched by the struggle of African Americans in thiscountry. My class consisted of numerous minorities (Asian & hispanic)and they were able to come to see that MLK was fighting for them also. Theway it is told is very moving and makes the book excellent for olderchildren as well.

I still get choked up whenever I read it.

a unique approach to telling the story of MLK, Jr.
I'm a huge Faith Ringgold fan.This book is very good as expected, but my only complaint is that it is a little too abstract for the target age group (ages 4-8).For example, the kids were confused at the picture of MLK in jail as an infant and the people burning their "baggage".BUT,unique it is... just definitely in need of adult commentary. ... Read more