Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Old Tappan, N.J. : Revell, 1957.
Description
Written in 1525 in response to the writings of Erasmus, "The Bondage of the Will" conveys Luther's beliefs on the issue of free will during the Protestant Reformation. Because of the fall of man, he debates with Erasmus on whether or not human beings are free to decide on good or evil. He asserts in this well written and uniquely styled work that we are incapacitated by sin, and human beings must rely on the complete sovereignty of God to redeem us and bring about our salvation. Because man is dictated by Satan, he must be saved entirely by God, and this liberation should lead to the service of God. Considered a masterpiece of Reformation literature, Luther's writing is a combination of deep theological thought with a gentle humor and a refreshing directness. Because of its primary position in Reformation doctrine, "The Bondage of the Will" is a vital link in understanding the ideas of Luther and his place in the Christian tradition.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member lougheryweb
Luther called this his magnum opus. I throughly enjoyed reading this book. Luther is no light weight, and he pulls no punches here. If you get a chance, read this book.
LibraryThing member GrinningDwarf
This book will help you understand the foundations of Reformed theology.
LibraryThing member Sansom48
I found this book very helpful in understanding the basics of Lutheran Theology on a much deeper level. I found that the overall layout of this book helped in the reading process over against some other versions of this book I have read.
LibraryThing member CheshireLutheran
Martin Luther's classic response to Erasmus of Rotterdam's "Diatribe on Free Will"
LibraryThing member dk_phoenix
I had to read this for a class I'm taking on church history... and unfortunately, the translation I had was crap and impossible to read. I'm still not entirely sure what he's trying to say... fortunately, a few online summaries helped out a bit. Otherwise, stay away from the Henry Cole version...
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get the one by J.I. Packer, I hear it's in modernized English and, you know... actually readable. Show Less
LibraryThing member nesum
A wonderful exploration of the nature of our wills in relation with God. I finished this book more in awe than ever of God's wonderful grace, His patience, His sovereign plan, and His undying love.
It is through theology that learn to love God all the more. So many avoid theology, taking the idea of
It is books like this that God will use to draw you closer to Him. If you begin to understand how helpless we truly are without Him, you will love Him all the more for saving you.
This is a Christian classic for a reason, and should be tackled by any true Christian.
It is through theology that learn to love God all the more. So many avoid theology, taking the idea of
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a personal relationship with God to mean that we shouldn't learn anything about Him. Of course, this statement never holds up in real life. I learn about my wife because I love her, and I love her more as I learn about her.It is books like this that God will use to draw you closer to Him. If you begin to understand how helpless we truly are without Him, you will love Him all the more for saving you.
This is a Christian classic for a reason, and should be tackled by any true Christian.
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LibraryThing member gottfried_leibniz
Luther is writing this as a response to Erasmus, who was a well known humanist scholar. Erasmus decided to stay within the Roman Catholic church. Erasmus wants Luther to see the ramifications of saying, "there is no free will." However, Luther forcefully counters all the polemics made by Erasmus.
He
Luther is forceful, persuasive and writes in an abrasive tone. He had struggled with sin, even though he knew Christ died for his sins, He kept confessing and confessing. He felt horrible inside as he knew that he was not good enough, he tried everything to get rid of sin. It simply did not work, it won't work. It can be fought by the Spirit of God ––Romans 8:13.
Finally, It was an epiphany when he found his answer in the book of Ephesians, "By Grace you have been saved and not by works, so that no one can boast."
On Sovereignty of God,
Luther says, "That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that he foresees, purposes and does all things according to his immutable, eternal and infallible will. By this thunderbolt, Free-will is thrown prostrate and utterly dashed to pieces. Those, therefore, who would assert Free will, must either deny this thunderbolt, or pretend not to see it, or push it from them."
In Bondage of the Will, Luther simply settles that Everything is by God and for his Glory.Nothing can be done by Man and if it is from Man, then it will be from the flesh. Whatever your position be in this topic, I would advise to be loving, gentle, warm and friendly. It seems that within the church, there's a lot of animosity, division as a result of this. A good book, I would recommend it to all Christians.
––Deus Vult––
Gottfried
He
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says, everything is by God and if he is omniscient, his immutable will shall prevail no matter what. I could really feel Luther's caustic words. He quotes a lot of scriptures and simply shows that it does not support free will. It only says, "What ought to be done, not what can be done." Luther is forceful, persuasive and writes in an abrasive tone. He had struggled with sin, even though he knew Christ died for his sins, He kept confessing and confessing. He felt horrible inside as he knew that he was not good enough, he tried everything to get rid of sin. It simply did not work, it won't work. It can be fought by the Spirit of God ––Romans 8:13.
Finally, It was an epiphany when he found his answer in the book of Ephesians, "By Grace you have been saved and not by works, so that no one can boast."
On Sovereignty of God,
Luther says, "That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that he foresees, purposes and does all things according to his immutable, eternal and infallible will. By this thunderbolt, Free-will is thrown prostrate and utterly dashed to pieces. Those, therefore, who would assert Free will, must either deny this thunderbolt, or pretend not to see it, or push it from them."
In Bondage of the Will, Luther simply settles that Everything is by God and for his Glory.Nothing can be done by Man and if it is from Man, then it will be from the flesh. Whatever your position be in this topic, I would advise to be loving, gentle, warm and friendly. It seems that within the church, there's a lot of animosity, division as a result of this. A good book, I would recommend it to all Christians.
––Deus Vult––
Gottfried
Show Less
LibraryThing member gottfried_leibniz
Luther is writing this as a response to Erasmus, who was a well known humanist scholar. Erasmus decided to stay within the Roman Catholic church. Erasmus wants Luther to see the ramifications of saying, "there is no free will." However, Luther forcefully counters all the polemics made by Erasmus.
He
Luther is forceful, persuasive and writes in an abrasive tone. He had struggled with sin, even though he knew Christ died for his sins, He kept confessing and confessing. He felt horrible inside as he knew that he was not good enough, he tried everything to get rid of sin. It simply did not work, it won't work. It can be fought by the Spirit of God ––Romans 8:13.
Finally, It was an epiphany when he found his answer in the book of Ephesians, "By Grace you have been saved and not by works, so that no one can boast."
On Sovereignty of God,
Luther says, "That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that he foresees, purposes and does all things according to his immutable, eternal and infallible will. By this thunderbolt, Free-will is thrown prostrate and utterly dashed to pieces. Those, therefore, who would assert Free will, must either deny this thunderbolt, or pretend not to see it, or push it from them."
In Bondage of the Will, Luther simply settles that Everything is by God and for his Glory.Nothing can be done by Man and if it is from Man, then it will be from the flesh. Whatever your position be in this topic, I would advise to be loving, gentle, warm and friendly. It seems that within the church, there's a lot of animosity, division as a result of this. A good book, I would recommend it to all Christians.
––Deus Vult––
Gottfried
He
Show More
says, everything is by God and if he is omniscient, his immutable will shall prevail no matter what. I could really feel Luther's caustic words. He quotes a lot of scriptures and simply shows that it does not support free will. It only says, "What ought to be done, not what can be done." Luther is forceful, persuasive and writes in an abrasive tone. He had struggled with sin, even though he knew Christ died for his sins, He kept confessing and confessing. He felt horrible inside as he knew that he was not good enough, he tried everything to get rid of sin. It simply did not work, it won't work. It can be fought by the Spirit of God ––Romans 8:13.
Finally, It was an epiphany when he found his answer in the book of Ephesians, "By Grace you have been saved and not by works, so that no one can boast."
On Sovereignty of God,
Luther says, "That God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that he foresees, purposes and does all things according to his immutable, eternal and infallible will. By this thunderbolt, Free-will is thrown prostrate and utterly dashed to pieces. Those, therefore, who would assert Free will, must either deny this thunderbolt, or pretend not to see it, or push it from them."
In Bondage of the Will, Luther simply settles that Everything is by God and for his Glory.Nothing can be done by Man and if it is from Man, then it will be from the flesh. Whatever your position be in this topic, I would advise to be loving, gentle, warm and friendly. It seems that within the church, there's a lot of animosity, division as a result of this. A good book, I would recommend it to all Christians.
––Deus Vult––
Gottfried
Show Less
LibraryThing member FORTBEAUPRE
The title of this book could easily be called "THE GOSPEL." One of the most important books from Church history expounding the most obvious and crucial truths of our most gracious God. Grace alone. Readers will walk away from this book praising God in awe of His (God's) glory and grace.
LibraryThing member wpcalibrary
Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will (1525) is a response to Desiderius Erasmus's "Diatribe on Free Will.’ The work is considered as one of the great masterpieces of the Reformation.
Luther writes powerfully about man's depravity and God's sovereignty in his direct style, which combines
That sin incapacitates human beings from working out their own salvation, and that they are completely incapable of bringing themselves to God. As such, there is no free will for humanity because any will they might have is overwhelmed by the influence of sin.
Bondage of the Will is vital to understanding the primary doctrines of the Reformation.
Luther writes powerfully about man's depravity and God's sovereignty in his direct style, which combines
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spirituality and humor. For Luther, the crucial issue was the ability of free will, and the extent to which it is subject to God's sovereignty. This key issue of free will is directly connected to the plan of salvation, in his view. Is man able to save himself, or is his salvation entirely a work of divine grace? That sin incapacitates human beings from working out their own salvation, and that they are completely incapable of bringing themselves to God. As such, there is no free will for humanity because any will they might have is overwhelmed by the influence of sin.
Bondage of the Will is vital to understanding the primary doctrines of the Reformation.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
Latin
Physical description
322 p.; 21 cm
ISBN
9780800753429
Similar in this library
Pages
322
DDC/MDS
| 234.9 |