Baptism in the Theology of Martin Luther satisfies the need for a comprehensive survey, in English, of Martin Luther on baptism. The mature Luther was unstinting in praise of baptism. How does his vigorously expressed sacramental understanding sit with his earlier reformation insights? What is its impact upon justification, faith, conversion, the Church? The tensions and paradoxes are examined. Analysis of formal doctrine is complemented by a picture of baptism 'in action', culled mainly from the Lectures on Genesis. Central is baptism's 'present tense' — its abiding force in the Christian's life, ever available for an encounter with God. His insistence that Christian progress is not onwards from baptism, but a repeated return to it emerges from the heart of Luther's thought. It is one of his most distinctive and important bequests to the Church.

This book meets the need for a comprehensive survey of Martin Luther's theology of baptism in English. It offers a thorough analysis of the doctrine, its development, and its role in Luther's wider thought. This publication has also been published in paperback, please click here for details.

Martin Luther’s historical significance can hardly be overstated. Known as the father of the Protestant Reformation, no single figure has had a greater impact on Western Christianity except perhaps Augustine. In Luther on the Christian Life, historian Carl Trueman introduces readers to the lively Reformer, taking them on a tour of his historical context, theological system, and approach to the Christian life. Whether exploring Luther’s theology of protest, ever-present sense of humor, or misunderstood view of sanctification, this addition to Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life series highlights the ways in which Luther’s eventful life shaped his understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Ultimately, this book will help modern readers go deeper in their spiritual walk by learning from one of the great teachers of the faith. Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.

As profound as Martin Luther's ideas are, this giant of church history was concerned above all with practical instruction for daily Christian living. Harvesting Martin Luther's Reflections highlights this concern of Luther, mining his thought in key areas of doctrine, ethics, and church practice. Gathering noteworthy contributions by well-known Luther scholars from Europe and the Americas, this book ranges broadly over theological questions about baptism and righteousness, ethical issues like poverty and greed, and pastoral concerns like worship and spirituality. There are even rare discussions of Luther's perspective on marriage and on Islam. As a result, Harvesting Martin Luther's Reflections is both a state-of-the-art discussion of Lutheran themes and an excellent introduction for newcomers to Luther's work.

In a country where Baptist theology is the default for American Protestantism, Luther's teaching on Baptism is critically needed by pastors, seminary students, and small-group leaders. While Luther's catechisms address the topic of Baptism, his sermons on the subject are more comprehensive. As readers discover Luther's preaching on Baptism in Wittenberg from 1525 to 1539, they are immersed repeatedly in Scripture's clear word that God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is truly present in Baptism. Luther also articulates the divinely sanctioned power of Baptism to forgive and remove sin, as well as its efficacy throughout the life of the baptized. Martin Luther on Holy Baptism equips readers to believe with certainty that God is the one who works life-saving miracles in Holy Baptism. Book jacket.

From the earliest days of Christianity, baptism has been a foundational act of faith for the believing community. Although churches may (and do) disagree about whether infants should or shouldn't be baptized, about whether baptism should be by "immersion" or "pouring," and about other doctrinal details-all would agree that baptism mattered to early Christians and still matters. And yet for all too many, baptism remains a ritual hardly understood, and one that seems to lack relevance for the lives we lead from day to day. Here is a book that delves into the mystery, brings understanding, and connects the "water and Word" of baptism to the tragedies and triumphs of daily life. With good humor, sound scholarship, and down-to-earth common sense, Martin Marty demonstrates how baptism can be "used" from day to day in a vibrant life of faith.

This introduction to Martin Luther's sacramental theology addresses a central question in the life of the church and in ecumenical dialogue. Although Luther famously reduced the sacraments from seven to two (baptism and the Lord's Supper), he didn't completely dismiss the others. Instead, he positively recast them as practices in the church. This book explores the medieval church's understanding of the seven sacraments and the Protestant rationale for keeping or eliminating each sacrament. It also explores implications for contemporary theology and worship, helping Protestants imagine ways of reclaiming lost benefits of the seven sacraments.