The Heroic Boldness of Martin Luther
By Steven Lawson / Reformation Trust Publishing
Many contemporary Protestants are almost completely ignorant
of church history in general and in the history of their own tradition in
particular. Probably the one personality that every Protestant has heard
something about, however, is Martin Luther. Luther is a Titan; it is probably not an
overstatement to say that he is the most influential person of the past 500
years. His influence extends well beyond the rich depths of his theology. This German monk measurably altered the
social, economic, political, theological, and linguistic flow of Western
culture itself. Luther is the subject of the most recent profile in the
Reformed hagiography series A Long Line
of Godly Men by Reformation Trust Publishing.
Dr. Steven Lawson, who is the series editor and the author
of a number of the other profiles, walks the reader through six chapters that
each focus on an element of Luther’s life or ministry. These are followed by a concluding
chapter that expresses a desire for preachers with similar passions and commitments
to be raised up in our time. The following is a glimpse of the table of
contents and gives a good illustration of how the book is organized and its
general flow.
The purpose of this series is not to offer serious
historical, theological, or biographical analysis. Instead, these books are
designed to offer to the reader an illustration of how influential men of faith
in the past have interacted with issues of serious concern in our time. They
are written to offer encouragement and a little historical perspective to those
who identify as conservative evangelicals. They are intended to show that the
doctrines and commitments of the faith have been shared and defended for many
centuries.
Lawson’s writing is clear and his points are well stated. Although
the format prevents the author from developing the complex theological and
historical contexts in which the selected characteristics of Luther’s ministry
developed they clearly come through in any more substantial study of Luther’s
works. Lawson’s intention with this profile as well as the broader series is
that these brief illustrations offer lessons for the contemporary state of
ministry. Lawson does a valuable service when he calls our attention to these elements
of Luther’s ministry that remain pressingly relevant. These concerns of Luther
are just as important now as they were in his day and Lawson recognizes that they
always will be. For this reason, it is appropriate for us to understand and
take courage from Luther’s heroic boldness and Lawson should be thanked for
making this material accessible to those who have not the time or inclination
to wade through weighty tomes of history or theology.
Luther is such a complex personality that it very difficult
to capture him, or his importance, in a single book. Lawson, however, does a
good job of connecting the great Reformer to certain fundamental issues related
to ministry that continue to be contested and debated in our time. I recommend
the book to anyone who is looking for a brief uncritical introduction to Martin
Luther, particularly with respect to his work as a preacher.
* I received
a free copy of this book from Reformation Trust Publishing as part of their
book review program. Reviews are not required to be positive and the opinions I
have expressed are my own.
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