Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther

Customer Reviews:

Here I Stand is an amazingly interesting read!.......2007-09-19

I purchased the book after watching the movie Luther with Joseph Fiennes (sp?). I usually do that in reverse order but not this time. The book very logically and clearly (and with great clarity and attention to detail) portrays the inner life and events going on at that time in Luther's life. It is a great review of history, the Catholic Church and the mind of Martin Luther.
The only downside is that you often need to read it with a dictionary present due to some of the words and context in which it is written that are not readily used in daily discussions. Great way to learn them though.
This is a wonderful read and one that I could not put down once I started. He is a very influential and fascinating historical figure.

A man named Martin, a Reformer named Luther.......2007-08-12

Martin Luther is one of the historical protagonists who has had the greatest amout of biographies written. This is a biography which displays not only the Reformer, but also the man Martin Luther. Luther's phrase, chosen as title, reveals the essence of the man: "Here I stay, I could not do differently. So help me God".

"By faith alone...".......2007-04-02

Having read Luther's "Bondage of the Will" I was interested in the Reformer's life and how God transformed him. In Roland H. Bainton's book you feel the man and his convictions. Bainton includes many lengthy quotes by Luther himself, so the reader begins to "feel" the man and his faith. The book also has many B & W wood-cut illustrations from that time, so you get to sense their history.

Bainton focuses on how Luther became a monk and from a monk to a world changing reformer. Luther's struggle with God's righteousness was so pivotal in his early days in the monastery, he was led to study of the Holy Scriptures by order of his senior. And it ultimately led to re-discovery of the Gospel -- that man is justified (declared righteous) by faith alone in what Christ has done for us. This revolutionized Luther's theology and his own life. Luther's emphasis, "by faith alone" is the heart of the gospel. He does not dismiss the importance of good works, but emphasized that good works cannot save and only faith saves. This was important distinction to him. And this book captures this fact about Luther well.

Moreover, the book pictures Luther as translator of the Bible into German language from original Hebrew and Greek. It is incredible feat by one man. He also wrote many hymns (including that famous "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God") to be sung at the church.

The book was fun to read as well. I couldn't stop reading. You will KNOW Luther in this book. Highly recommended.

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.......2007-01-10

This is an exceptional book for objective historical and theological perspectives of the life of Martin Luther. I have read the book as part of seminary studies, though the book is written with an undertone for lay understanding. The major pluses of the book are the honest depiction of the character of Martin Luther and how his personal theology developed over his pastoral years with highlights of how his insights helped cause major reforms of theological throughout the world as well as bringing the book of the bible in a readable and understandable format to his beloved German people.

Excellent Book.......2006-11-10

The Pastor at my church referred me to this Book. And it was excellent. Very thorough on Luther's life.

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Lutheran is Healthy
Simple, not simplistic
Great read, but don't pay the money for the book
A Classic Protestant Devotional
A simple little book on prayer

A Simple Way to Pray
Martin Luther
Manufacturer: Westminster John Knox Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0664222730

Customer Reviews:

Lutheran is Healthy.......2007-07-03

This as well as the lot of Martin Luther's works are a good motivational and inspirational tool. Since I started getting Martin Luther with the movie Luther, I have lost 180 pounds. I can burn 205 calories in 10 minutes! Unlike ghetto online "covens," Lutheran churches are a good way to get to know people and know a pastor as a personal friend and spritual mentor. I have been baptized Lutheran and am one session away from completing adult confirmation, and am in monthly attendance at my local church. While the Church of Satan promotes a fat and unhealthy lifestyle at a mere 300 members, there are 9 million every year in Pilgrim Lutheran alone and promotes a healthy and safe lifestyle change. I "eat" one energy drink now called a diety supplement for breakfast daily and don't pig out on meals. Gluttony is a sin, sinner! Luther recommends the Lord's Prayer, 10 Commandments and Apostles Creed as well as fasting between meals. Amen!

Simple, not simplistic.......2007-05-14

This is a beautiful and thoughtful gift - for yourself or a friend. Whether new Christian or seasoned believer, many of us find ourselves wondering, "how should I pray?" or "how might my prayer life be better?"

Originally a response to his barber's honest question, Martin Luther's answers are still as rich and relevant as when they were first penned.
This book is not as intense as most of Luther's writings, so it's an easy read and encouraging reference.

Rather than a checklist or scripted answer, Luther guides us into scripture and a personal time of intercession. With beautiful and practical ideas from Luther's own experience, it offers a welcome rest from the many "how to" books on prayer.

This writing predates the immense divisions of the modern church's denominations, and it will be appreciated by nearly anyone.

Great read, but don't pay the money for the book.......2007-04-22

A Simple Way to Pray is an excellent resource for all Christians. I highly recommend it. But I wouldn't by the book. It is a little book (3 inches by 5 inches I would guess) with only 70 pages or so. Of that only 45 are actually Luther's writing. The material is free domain, so if you do an internet search for "Luther simple way to pray" you'll get access to all the text easily. I copied that to Word and put the font to Times New Roman 12-point and it is only 13 pages long. That's a much cheaper option than the $10 or $12 plus shipping for this little book and you get the same blessings from reading the text.

Summary - great read, but get it cheaper.

A Classic Protestant Devotional.......2002-12-16

This is a very small book containing Martin Luther's response to his barber's questions about prayer. This is a book that can be read within the confines of an hour, but reveals both thoughts and techniques about prayer that the serious minded Christian will want to take with them and apply for a lifetime.

When it comes to the subject of prayer, there is no shortage of books and other materials that are available for Christians to peruse. But this little book by Luther is quite substantive not only in its approach to prayer, but also in its attitude of total reverence. In many ways, the book is a recital of a number of Luther's actual prayers and this provides an extremely insightful look not only into the prayer life of Martin Luther but also about the scope of prayer that Luther adopted. I suspect many modern readers will be extremely impressed and even marvel at the depths to which Luther made prayer the centerpiece of his Christian walk, and how such devotion to prayer seems so beyond what many of us contemporary Christians tend to practice in our quiet time with God.

There are two main strengths in this book that can transform a person's prayer life. First are the words of Luther himself in his prayers. The reader gets the sense of Luther's crystal clear understanding of the eternal immensity of the power of God and the utter helplessness of man absent God. Gaining a proper perspective in prayer means understanding who it is we are praying to, and understanding why we pray. I happen to think that a widespread return to Luther's perspective in these areas would revolutionize the universal Church through much more effective prayer that comes with having a Biblical understanding of the sovereignty of God and why we need Him.

Second, Luther's technique toward prayer in this book is hugely important. In particular, his fourfold partition in prayer of instruction, thanksgiving, confession/repentance, and request after meditating on a Scripture passage is outstanding. Luther properly puts the emphasis on Bible reading as a key way to ready the heart for sincere and meaningful prayer. Further, he stresses the need for the Christian to follow the guidings of the Holy Spirit in prayer so as to have a dynamic and heart-filled prayer life rather than a prayer life of mind numbing ritualism or legalism.

In summary, this is great instruction from a giant of the Christian faith that we as Christians should strongly consider in our attitudes towards prayer.

A simple little book on prayer.......2002-03-27

Martin Luther's barber once asked him to instruct him regarding prayer. This little 62-page book is Luther's reply. He lovingly, warmly writes his thoughts on regularly praying the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle's Creed. And Luther does not simply call for a thoughtless, legalistic recitation. Rather, he advocates pouring ourselves and everything we have into these prayers, fully involving our minds and hearts. Read this book, be blessed in your prayers, and learn what it means to pray to "Our Father."

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin (The Swans Are Not Silent)

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Giants of the Faith
Outstanding book, outstanding series!
Listen to the voices of Christian history...
Concise but comprehensive
Inspiration for New Christian Leaders

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God's Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin (The Swans Are Not Silent)
John Piper
Manufacturer: Crossway Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1581348134

Book Description

We admire these men for their greatness, but the truth is Augustine grappled with sexual passions. Martin Luther struggled to control his tongue. John Calvin fought the battle of faith with worldly weapons.

Yet each man will always be remembered for the messages he declared—messages that still resound today. John Piper explores each of these men’s lives, integrating Augustine’s delight in God with Luther’s emphasis on the Word and Calvin’s exposition of Scripture. Through their strengths and struggles we can learn how to live better today. When we consider their lives, we behold the glory and majesty of God and find power to overcome our weaknesses.

If ever you are complacent about sin, if ever you lose the joy of Jesus Christ, if ever you are dulled by the world’s influence, let the lives of these men help you recapture the wonder of God. Book 1 in The Swans Are Not Silent series.

Customer Reviews:

Giants of the Faith.......2007-08-19

The books in the Swan series are taken from a conference for pastors, where Dr. Piper presents these biographies. The biographies are never meant to be exhaustic treatment, but tailored to encourage pastors.

I find these brief biographies to be so wonderful and often whet the appetite for more. One can only be encourage and motivated to do more for the Lord, having bathed the soul in these well-written, tailored sketches.

Outstanding book, outstanding series!.......2007-04-05

Incredible. This is the first book of a series of four that Piper wrote to expose this generation to some of the great saints of the past. I started by reading book three, moved to book four, just completed the first and am looking forward to diving into the second book to finish the series. This book was very powerful, enlightening and challenging. As a Reformed believer, I've grown up with a tremendous appreciation of Luther and Calvin, but knew little about the incredible influence of Augustine. As I've matured in my walk and the more I read, the more I see the fruits of Augustine's thoughts in the works of so many great thinkers and writers that followed. Piper's expose on Augustine gave me an even greater appreciation for God's sovereign grace in the life of Augustine and for how God used him like the source lake from which mighty rivers of knowledge and grace have flowed down throughout history.

I think what I enjoyed most about the book is the concept that the central theme that connected these three men was their love for God's Word - they digested it daily, they wrestled with it, they sought to squeeze out every truth that could be known about God Himself from His divine and inspired Word. Their lives were devoted to the study of Scripture and to the accurate and passionate teaching of God's Word to the people. While each lived in tumultuous times, it was amazing to read about how diligent they were with their time and how much they accomplished without any of the modern conveniences that we enjoy today.

I would highly recommend this book and the entire series to all followers of Christ to gain an even greater appreciation for God and how He has used ordinary men throughout history to accomplish extraordinary things. The books are easy to read and relatively short, but are packed with great encouragement for every believer.

Listen to the voices of Christian history..........2006-04-16

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy is Book One of John Piper's series The Swans are Not Silent. Each book of the series (of which there is currently four) collects three of the biographical lectures Piper gave at the annual Bethlehem Conference for Pastors over the past two decades. When Augustine resigned as Bishop of Hippo it was said that the "swan is silent." Piper aims to show that the swans, those in our heritage of Christians throughout the centuries, are in fact not silent.

This book expounds on the lives and thoughts of Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. It begins with an introduction about "savoring the sovereignty of grace in the lives of flawed saints." Piper explains that each of these men "had this in common: they experienced, and built their lives and ministries on, the reality of God's omnipotent grace." (18) Noting some of the flaws of each of these men, Piper believes that "the glory of God, however dimly, is mirrored in the flawed lives of his faithful servants." (37)

Each chapter is about half biography and half theological survey and averages 34 pages. There is a pattern to each chapter: after a brief introduction John Piper provides a biographical sketch and then brings out a prominent theme from author's theology. For Augustine, the theme is sovereign joy, for Luther it is sacred study, and for Calvin it is the divine majesty of the Word.

After these chapters, Piper concludes with four lessons we can learn from the "flawed saints." "1) Do not be paralyzed by your weaknesses and flaws... 2) In the battle against sin and surrender, learn the secret of sovereign joy... 3) Supernatural change comes from seeing Christ in his sacred Word... 4) Therefore, let us exult the exposition of the truth of the Gospel and herald the glory of Christ for the joy of all peoples." (143-148)

It is evident throughout the book that John Piper has done his homework; quoting often from primary texts and secondary sources. While there may be some over simplification in regard to the theological themes, Piper's points are nonetheless insightful and practical. Each chapter serves as a great introduction to the lives and thoughts of these Christian men. The Legacy of Sovereign Joy provides a stimulating resource for those looking to discover some of the motivating themes of the Reformed tradition.

Concise but comprehensive.......2005-09-15

Concise but comprehensive might sound like a contradiction but I couldn't think of any other way to describe it. John Piper really introduced me to Jonathan Edwards, and between the two of them I would say that no other author has had as much of an impact upon me in the last few years as these two. Now Piper introduces us to Augustine, Luther, and Calvin also. This is the first book in a series of three and well worth the investment. I read it in my spare time in just 1 week, have the second book ready to go, but regret not purchasing the third at the same time. Piper's strength is not only in presenting one very compelling argument about the triumph of God's grace (or "Sovereign Joy"), but to do it by presenting numerous facets of the work of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, which are easy to follow and understand, gives an excellent overview of their lives and ministries, and which leaves you wanting to (and feeling confident of being able to) read from the original sources. Every page was a gem. Be warned though, I got about 10 pages into the book then realised my mistake ... I should have read this book with a pencil and note pad in hand! There are so many great quotes from Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, not to mention Piper himself that you'll want to write some of them down to chew over later (or file away for sermon illustrations). This is an easy read and a great introduction the some major figures in church history, not to mention excellent food for the soul. In a day when people are so biblically illiterate as well as ignorant (or contemptible) of church history, this book demonstrates that our impoverishment is foolish and unnecessary. We need more books like this! I would have given it 6 stars if I could, simply on price, readability, and content alone.

Inspiration for New Christian Leaders.......2005-04-16

As you can see by the book's subtitle, this little book has three biographical pieces on well known historical Christians. Though most Christians know the names of these men, few know any more than that. So this book serves as a useful introduction to their lives and work.

But this book offers more that just a general introduction. These essays were originally conference talks given by the author to an audience of pastors. So there is a specific theme and purpose to them beyond summary historical information. Lessons from the lives of these men are drawn out to inspire and equip a new generation of Christian leaders.

I was personally most inspired by the chapter on Martin Luther. I was greatly convicted to be more diligent in the study of God's word. But all three essays were interesting and provoked personal reflection.

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How free is the man before God?
The Ongoing Debate
The Christian Robot
Required Reading for Pastors
Must have

The Bondage of the Will
Martin Luther
Manufacturer: Revell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0800753429

Book Description

Acknowledged by theologians as one of the great masterpieces of the Reformation, Martin Luther's Bondage of the Will was also Luther's favorite work. Luther responds to Desiderius Erasmus' Diatribe on Free Will with the bluntness, genius, sarcasm, and spirituality that were as much a part of his writing as they were of his colorful personality. Luther writes lucidly on the themes of man's inability and God's ability, man's depravity and God's sovereignty. The crucial issue for Luther concerned what ability free will has, and to what degree it is subject to God's sovereignty. Luther's doctrine of salvation pivoted on this key issue. Is man able to save himself, or is his salvation completely a work of divine grace? This work will long remain among the great theological classics of Christian history. Bondage of the Will was first published in 1525, eight years after Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses.

Customer Reviews:

How free is the man before God?.......2007-08-12

"De servo arbitrio" is the original title of this Martin Luther's masterpiece. In it, the Reformer explains his theology concerning the limits of man's will before God, differing it from those which preached the full free will or the absence of any possibility of free will. It is a key book for all those who are interested in studying the matters referred to free will and predestination.

The Ongoing Debate.......2007-04-23

I purchased Luther's book for my "Formation of Modern Christianity" class and am in the process of using it to write my term paper on the debate between Erasmus and Luther on the issue of free will. Luther does an excellent job in this book when presenting his case for the bondage of free will by demonstrating that humans are completely depraved and cannot choose salvation, therefore we do not have the free will to do both good and evil, but only evil. Buy this book if you want a clear picture on this ongoing debate, but make sure to also purchase "Discourse on Free Will" to gain a picture of Erasmus' point of view, as well.

The Christian Robot.......2007-03-09

The Bondage of the Will is necessary reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Protestant theology. I am a Catholic and found most of what Luther wrote to be poorly based and unscriptural, however, his treatise on the bondage of the will did serve to stress once again the Pauline doctrine of justification by grace alone. This doctrine which teaches that there is nothing a man can do to begin, promote, or accomplish his justification before God, but that justification is initiated, begun, and brought to fulfillment completely through God's grace has been Catholic doctrine from the beginning. Tragically, this doctrine was muddied and distorted by the late Scholastic theology of the "via moderna" - the only theology Luther was really familiar with. Apparently Luther knew very little if any Christian theology pre-dating the 14th Century. The doctrine of justification by faith alone appeared to him therefore as a novelty; something he had "rediscovered." This doctrine, however, is not what the Catholic Church took issue with. It was Luther's insistence that even after justification a man remains totally corrupt. Luther makes plain in this text that even subsequent to justification any good a person accomplishes is done without any human input; all good actions are accomplished by God alone. Luther is very unclear in his explanation of how this occurs. He says man's nature is changed, regenerated, and wills only good after justification, but somehow the man is also evil and deserves only eternal damnation. It is only by the grace of God he is spared this. What part of the man remains evil Luther doesn't clarify. If it is God alone that works the good in us according to our new nature and we have absolutely no ability to reject God's grace and action in our lives (just as under Satan we have absolutely no say in whether we sin since we are then ruled by Satan), we are not only in effect, but in our innermost being nothing more than automatons without any inherent meaning to our existence. Luther makes it extremely clear that in his view man has no free will after justification. He is "free" in the sense that he operates according to his nature, but he has no ability to act otherwise. That man is most free when he acts in accord with his nature has always been Catholic doctrine, but at no time in history did Christianity teach, and nowhere in the Bible does it say man cannot turn away from God or reject his grace. Believing this makes the Bible, indeed the whole of existence, an exercise in futility. Why would Jesus die for men whom he causes to sin necessarily? Why would he have to? Luther says this is part of God's "hidden Majestic will" that we have no right to question. He frequently sites Paul's words in Romans 9:14-25 and 11.33-36 in justification of this attitude, but Paul is clearly speaking in these passages of God's providential guidance of history and peoples - not the justification and salvation of individuals. Luther claims to be in agreement with St. Augustine, but anyone who has read Augustine knows there are scarcely two men more distant in thought. Augustine, as all Christianity, held that once an individual is justified he truly becomes a new creation capable of freely choosing the good through the grace of Christ. This action is done through the power of God's grace, yet it is truly the individual's own action as well. Furthermore, as Paul makes clear in numerous passages, an individual always possesses the ability to reject Christ even subsequent to justification. Although Luther claimed his doctrine of "necessity of immutability" offered consolation to those perturbed by conscience, in reality it creates a universe in which we have no control over our own destiny, all things are determined apart from us, and God damns or glorifies those whom he chooses on an absolutely arbitrary basis. I cannot see how this can be comforting, let alone "good news." Luther holds that simply because God has foreseen all things from eternity that everything happens of necessity. He makes a gigantic blunder in confusing God's eternal vision from outside time with the free operations of persons within time. Simply because we remember something from yesterday, it doesn't follow that we caused it to happen. In the same way, because God sees all things due to his being outside time, it doesn't follow that he caused them directly. He allows men to freely choose to reject his grace. He created us free and desires all men to be saved and offers all men his grace. Luther is absolutely right in saying man can do nothing to save himself - it is all grace, but he can do something to cause his damnation - he can reject this grace when it is offered to him each day of his life. Perhaps it was providential, though, that Luther stressed "grace alone." Much Christian theology had drifted far from this gospel truth. Finally, I found Luther's caustic sarcasm hard to stomach. I'm not a fan of Erasmus (to whom Luther was responding and who did a poor job of defining the Catholic position), but Luther's anathemas and ad hominem attacks detracted considerably from a book that would otherwise have been quite enjoyable to read.

Required Reading for Pastors.......2006-11-06

This fascinating book explores the question of just how much "free will" humans actually have in the light of God's will and sovereignty. With modern man's insistence on their own dominion over their own destinies, it is good and necessary to examine the scriptural evidence to the contrary. The question is, as fallible humans, are we going to place our trust in how things feel to us, or in the infallible, unshakeable Word of God? May we return the glory to Him unto whom it is due!

Must have.......2006-10-07

A must have resource for the serious student of theology on the topic of free will and predestination - two of the most perplexing questions of the Christian faith. This is a collection of responses from Martin Luther to objections raised to his views on the topic. The objections that were raised then are raised now and will be to the end of time. Read Luther's response and search the scriptures yourself to find the truth.

Martin Luther: A Penguin Life (Penguin Lives)

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An Introduction To A Tremendously Important Life
Excellent biography for the casual reader
lutheran expert on luther
Good Introduction to Luther's Life
Riveting

Martin Luther: A Penguin Life (Penguin Lives)
Martin E. Marty
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670032727
Release Date: 2004-01-29

Book Description

Martin Marty—professor, author, pastor, historian, and journalist—is, in Bill Moyers's words, “the most influential interpreter of American religion.” In Martin Luther this man of unswerving faith, rooted in his own Lutheran tradition yet deeply committed to helping enrich a pluralist society, brings to powerful life the devout Reformation figure whose despair for a perilous world, felt anew in our own times, drove him to a ceaseless search for assurance of God's love. It was one that led him steadily to a fresh interpretation of human interaction with God—as born solely from God's grace and not the Church's mediation—and to the famous theses he posted at Wittenberg in 1517.

Luther's persistence in this belief, and in his long battle with Church leaders—embellished by rich historical background—make Marty's biography riveting reading. Luther's obdurate yet receptive stance, so different from the travestied image of “fundamentalism” we currently face, restored the balance between religion and the individual. Martin Luther is at once a fascinating history, a story of immense spiritual passion and amazing grace, and a superb intellectual biography.

Customer Reviews:

An Introduction To A Tremendously Important Life.......2007-09-01

For a reader looking for a concise, relatively short, introduction to the life of one of Christianity's most important figures, "Martin Luther" by Martin Marty is an excellent choice. This book does a good job of surveying the life and teachings of this founder of the Reformation. Marty presents a balanced picture, neither attacking its subject nor ignoring his faults and shortcomings. He generally presents the facts and lets the reader draw his own conclusions. While not ignoring Luther's sensual appetites, Marty explains how they conform to his theological teaching. Luther's attractiveness to princes but his hostility to the empowerment of peasants is an example of an historical fact which limits the vision of Luther as a champion of "democracy" against the establishment.

At times the book seems to focus on Luther's writings and preaching, but later gets into more personal details. I suspect that this reflects the scarcity of the historical record with respect to some parts of Luther's life. While not delving into an analysis of Luther's impact on the world, the mere recitation of his life's work enables the reader to appreciate the tremendous impact which Luther has had on history. The reader, whether Protestant, Catholic or non-religious, who is interested in either religious or secular history will find "Martin Luther" to an worthwhile read.

Excellent biography for the casual reader.......2007-06-26

I've got to give the book 5 stars simply because Marty, a Lutheran, had me disliking the guy at the end :-). It's a much more balanced biography, for example, than Here I Stand, which I read many years ago. Marty is an excellent writer. He uses words well, chooses good words, and doesn't waste them. Marty's writing is one of the highlights of the book. The book moves quickly, which is unusual for a biography. More than that, I think Marty provides a plausible, unifying theme to Luther's life. He was clearly not a fun guy. He was intense, fiercely competitive, short-tempered, "over the top". Unlike many religious biographies, this one portrays a man who was deeply flawed, who arguably never developed a satisfying relationship with God. To Luther, you either saw things exactly his way, or you were his enemy. If people had to die to get his gospel preached (himself or others), oh well. As with some Christians today, he felt perfect confidence that his way was THE way, the ONLY way, and that everyone else, for better or worse, was going to hell.

As an example of steadfastness and single-mindedness, he's awesome. You've got to admire someone who knew so thoroughly what he wanted to accomplish, and pursued it with a vengeance, come whatever may. But I can't help wondering if in his zeal, he missed the heart of God. Luther seems to have had a hatred for anyone who didn't "get it", anyone who stood in his (and therefore the gospel's) way, be they peasants or Jews. Luther was a positive for the world and Christianity, but clearly a very flawed human being.

lutheran expert on luther.......2007-01-18

It is hard to believe that for one of the single most important figures in western history, whose collected works run to fifty-five volumes, there are only three or four biographies now in print in English. But so it is for Martin Luther, which makes this biography by Martin Marty a welcome addition. Marty's volume takes its place in the Penguin Lives series, a series which tries to match famous figures with well known authors for the general audience.

Marty takes as his guiding theme Luther's lifelong struggle with God: "God present and God absent, God too near and God too far, the God of wrath and the God of love, God weak and God almighty, God real and God as illusion, God hidden and God revealed." The German word upon which Marty fastens this theme is Anfechtungen, a word that is hard to translate but very easy indeed for people to appreciate: "the spiritual assaults that Luther said kept people from finding certainty in a loving God." Anfechtungen, said Luther, precipitated a "delicious despair" or crisis of certainty for which the believer could only cast himself upon the mercy of God. For the believer, in Luther's scheme, there is a sure security of faith, but no certainty free of struggle, doubt, anxiety, fears and spiritual warfare. At the end of the day, though, the believer rests in the knowledge that God in Christ says to us, "I am more certain to you than your own heart and conscience."

Marty takes us through the major passages of Luther's life: his time in the monastery, his home, the emerging Protestant church, his life as a university scholar and writer, and his civic life in politics. It used to be that Roland Bainton's biography Here I Stand (1950) was the standard life of Luther. Marty's wonderful volume is likely to take its place.

Good Introduction to Luther's Life.......2006-12-12

Martin Marty has written what I believe is a good introduction to the great reformer, Martin Luther. At less than 200 pages, the book is a good primer although I am sure there are other more detailed accounts of Luther's life out there.

The book's chapters are as follows:

1. The Hunger for Certainty, 1483-1519.
2. Defining the Life of Faith, 1520-1525.
3. Living the Faith, 1525-1530.
4. The Heart Grown Cold, the Faith More Certain, 1530-1546.

Marty touches on Martin's early life, married life, tensions with the Catholic Church, personal struggles, and his own faults.

All in all, a good introduction to Martin Luther's life. Recommended.

Riveting.......2006-02-13

I've enjoyed every one of the Penguin Lives books that I've picked up so far. History isn't my primary field of study, so I've not the time to delve into the 1000 page tomes. The series, thus, sort of fills in a gap. It allows a bit of an entrance into these important lives for casual readers like myself.

The Martin Luther volume by Martin Marty is, so far, the best of the series that I've read. Luther led a truly fascinating life, and the condensed nature of this short biography makes the biography at moments read like an adventure. That's not to say that Marty sacrificed scholarship in order to make the subject more interesting. Luther's life was adventuresome in many ways, and his personal struggles, the devopment of his thought, and the culture of ideas that influenced him are all probed insightfully. I particularly appreciated Marty's use of the metaphor of Jacob wrestling God as a comprehensive string for tying together and understanding Luther's life.

This was really a strong little work. It definitely works for what it was intended. Without simply being a cliffs notes biography, it serves an entry point into Luther's life and theology for the intelligent reader.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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*Big on Impact - - MARTIN's WORDS RESONATE WITH RESULTS . . . *
I Like This Book!
Awesome Book!
Martin's big words the life of Dr. Martin Luther King JR. By Doreen Rapport
The rare little children's bio of Dr. King

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Doreen Rappaport
Manufacturer: Jump At The Sun
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786807148
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Amazon.com

Acclaimed artist Bryan Collier depicts his subject with stunning watercolor and collage illustrations, balancing glorious recreations of stained glass windows with some of the more somber images of peace marchers and the famous bus that pitched Rosa Parks into the civil rights movement. A brief chronology and bibliography provide additional resources for readers. Here is an exquisite tribute to a world hero. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In this elegant pictorial biography of Martin Luther King Jr., authorDoreen Rappaport combines her spare, lyrical text with King's own words for aneffective, age-appropriate portrayal of one of the world's greatest civil rightsleaders. From King's youth, when he looked up to his preacher father and vowedone day to "get big words, too," to his death at a garbage workers' strike ("Onhis second day there, he was shot. He died."), Rappaport imbues the story withreverence.Acclaimed artist Bryan Collier depicts his subject with stunning watercolor andcollage illustrations, balancing glorious recreations of stained glass windowswith some of the more somber images of peace marchers and the famous bus thatpitched Rosa Parks into the civil rights movement. A brief chronology andbibliography provide additional resources for readers. Here is an exquisitetribute to a world hero. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Customer Reviews:

*Big on Impact - - MARTIN's WORDS RESONATE WITH RESULTS . . . *.......2006-03-22

The awesome simplicity of Doreen Rappaport's text is perfectly complemented by the artistry of Bryan Collier's water colors and clever collage in this stunning book. Their talents combine to make one weep.

"Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."

Dr. King grew from boyhood immersed in love, and on August 28, 1963, his words carried the length of the Mall in Washington D.C., and to all the citizens and the world. The words resonated with integrity and passion and Old Testament cadences. I, too, stayed with little children at home but was filled with gratitude and an inescapable sense of History . . . proud to have family represent us in that throng marching for justice and peace.

"When the history books are written
someone will say there lived black people
who had the courage to stand up for their rights."

The illustrations are a treat - - a gift to linger over - - from the remarkable stained glass, simple to intricately defined - - to the torn fabric of our nation - - to the symbolic candles in the 'final frame.'

Reviewer mcHAIKU hopes we never forget Martin Luther King's MIGHTY WORDS, and our responsibility to a great man and his message.

I Like This Book!.......2006-01-26

I am Alex, a third grader in California. I like this book because it is fantastic. I learned to fight with words. It is a nice way to entertain yourself. You should buy it because I know you will like it a lot.

Awesome Book!.......2006-01-21

I was first introduce to this book in an undergraduate elementary education course. I purchased it instantly. I have used it with Kindergarten, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade. All the children love it! The illustrations are very unique and colorful. The story is on a level they can understand. It is not bogged down with too many details and is not to lengthy. I highly recommend this book, not only to educators and parents, but to the public in general. Everyone should read this book about the wonderful man who has influenced our society in such a profound and positive way.

Martin's big words the life of Dr. Martin Luther King JR. By Doreen Rapport.......2005-10-29

The book that I read was Martin Luther King Jr the book is good . On, 1/15/29 martin Luther king jr was born in Atlanta Georgia. On, June/18/1953 got married. In, 1968 he was shot and died. Martin Lther king jr, was a Chrishian. He is black. In church martin sang hymns. He read from the bible.

The rare little children's bio of Dr. King.......2005-03-02

When I first started reviewing children's books on Amazon.com I gave myself a long list of rules to follow. And one of those rules stated that I was not to read other reviews of a book on the site until AFTER I'd written my own review. I wanted my little writings to remain unsullied and pure, filled only with my own thoughts (which I obviously mistook to be brilliant) and feelings. After a while though I gave up on this rule. By and large (and this is not speaking for all reviews... just 90% of them) a review for a children's book goes something along the lines of "It was good, my four-year-old requests it every night, buy this book, etc.". Nothing too shocking or revealing. So I grew lazy. I started reading other reviews of picture books long before I sat down to actually write a review of my own. Just moments ago I went to do the same thing for the beautiful picture book, "Martin's Big Words". This book was on my list of must-reads because it had garnered itself a Caldecott Honor years before. So I went to the appropriate Amazon.com page (much as you are now) and read the first review on the list. At the time, it was an unassuming July 18, 2002 review entitled, "There's Something Wrong Here...". I read the review. I digested the review. And I came to the inescapable opinion that the points raised in the review were good ones. Ones that I should consider, dare I say, in my OWN review. This is unprecedented. Never has a review for a book, a children's book, really hit home for me like this one did. So to that mysterious reader who thought to make a point back in 2002, I commend you. And to myself, a mental whipping for breaking my own rules. It's a hard act to follow, but I've a point or two of my own to make and I'm gonna make `em.

Now as a children's librarian I get a whole heaping helpful of small children coming in around January 17th (or just before) requesting books on Martin Luther King Jr. For the older children, such requests are usually easy enough to fulfill. But for little ones with short attention spans and even shorter vocabularies, the choices are limited. Fortunately, there's, "Martin's Big Words". A beautiful encapsulation of the life of the great man, the book shows Martin as a child, first encountering the insanity of segregation. We see him grow up and preach a gospel of love and acceptance. Following this are small looks at the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, civil rights marches, and his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. Finally, while marching with striking garbage collectors (a fact not often mentioned in children's biographies of King), he was shot and killed. Says the book at the end, "His big words are alive for us today".

The book is stunning to look at, you know. The endpapers consist of pane after pane of brown, peach, amber, and umber stained glass. Taken together, the stained glass appears to be a variety of different skin tones all working together to make something beautiful. Using collage, illustrator Bryan Collier peppers his unique style with symbolic images (such as four lit candles placed in remembrance of the girls killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist church). In the rest of the book, Collier's images leap off the page. They're bright, colorful and eclectic. Combined with author Doreen Rappaport's elegant eloquent narrative, children get a full understanding of the courage and greatness behind Dr. King's life and actions.

So what about the complaints of this book? Let's examine them fully. First of all, one criticism is that in the image of the civil rights march there are thirteen men on display, none of whom are either white or female. This is true. And it is a little odd. Not don't-buy-this-book odd. Just why-did-the-illustrator-make-that-choice odd. From looking at the picture I can only assume that Collier was working off a snapshot of a portion of a march from the past and didn't notice that it was a bit skewed. The other criticism of the book is that whites are only portrayed as evil rednecks that want to kill Dr. King. I dunno. The book says plenty of things about diversity and the coming together of the races. As for the lack of positive white images, I admit they're not present in this particular book. However, the world is filled to overflowing with books that DO present positive images of white people. As a white person myself, I'm sick to death of 'em. And I'd gladly exchange four or five hundred such books for a single one that was half as beautifully illustrated and written as "Martin's Big Words".

So yeah, the book has a flaw here or there. But it also fills a need. However important you deem it that your children see positive images of whites during the Freedom Marches is your prerogative. But don't pass "Martin's Big Words" by because it fails to fully display the diversity of the 60s in your eyes. It's a great book with a great message. It's also one of the few King bios that'll capture your seven-year-old's attention for longer than a minute. A great addition to any library and a necessary purchase for anyone who wants to teach their small child about a magnificent man.

Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament Set (14 Volume Set)

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Life Application Bible Commentary New Testament Set (14 Volume Set)

Manufacturer: Tyndale House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 084230942X

Product Description

The Life Application Bible Commentary takes the popular Life Application Bible and greatly expands the amount of information given, for a fuller and deeper look at the Bible. This set, which includes commentaries on the entire New Testament, offers a cohesive look at the major themes, issues, and doctrines that Christians are seeking to apply in their own lives. It's numerous maps, charts, diagrams, quotes and illustrations make it extremely useful in helpin Christians to grow in their understanding and maturity. Each volume is split into three sections: an introduction, the commentary itself, and a reference section. Insight from various church leaders including John Calvin, Martin Luther, Charles Wesley, A.W. Tozer, and C.S. Lewis communicate truths in a clear and understandable way, with the goal of aiding further communication of the life-changing message of the Gospel. Overview of the Life Application Bible Commentary: Theologically conservative (evangelical) Non-technical (no knowledge of Greek necessary) Uses the New International Version (NIV) and New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) predominantly, but also quotes from the New King James Version (NKJV) and the King James Version (KJV) A verse-by-verse exposition of the entire New Testament Geared for general Christians seeking to grow in their understanding and maturity, but helpful for teachers and pastors as well Unique features: Introduction, commentary and references for each book of the New Testament Charts, diagrams, maps and illustrations helpful for applying the text to one's life Practical application tips and information Highlighted (in bold text) verses for easy reference Bibliographies for each volume

Average customer rating:

Central emphasis on fate & determinism
An interesting overview

Hellenistic Religions: An Introduction
Luther H. Martin
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019504391X

Book Description

In this comprehensive introduction, Martin offers an overview of the religious institutions, beliefs, and practices in the Graeco-Roman world from the fourth century B.C.E. to the fourth century C.E.

Customer Reviews:

Central emphasis on fate & determinism.......2002-04-21

Martin shows that despite the diversity of story elements and rituals, the common, universal theme in mystery religions is encountering and, in some sense, "transcending" determinism, Fate, or Necessity.

He doesn't emphasize consuming a sacrament as a common, universal theme.

An interesting overview.......2000-05-20

We had to read this book in a religion class in college, and I really enjoyed it. The text provides a good overview of a number of the major religious movements concurrent with the beginnings of Christianity. If you're interested in learning more about the ancient world, more than what you can find in the Bible, give this book a try...

Average customer rating:

A Pleasure
The best of the 55 volume writings of Luther
A useable, convenient devotional that will last
A Long Awaited Devotional
refreshingly straight forward and to the point

Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional

Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0310265363

Book Description

Freshly translated from the original German into today’s English, this book contains a treasury of devotionals taken from Luther’s writings and sermons (1513 to 1546), conveniently divided into daily readings to point readers to the Bible and a deeper understanding of faith.

Customer Reviews:

A Pleasure.......2007-09-08

My pilgrim pastor gave this to me as a gift and I really like it a lot. Testimonials by Martin Luther himself in an updated version of the German language, a branch of Olde English. Daily readings for every day, but the days were written by Luther day he wrote the book. Germans are very good speed readers, so the whole book can be read in a few weeks by literate people who are proud of their German heritage. The big thing of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Martin Luther's surviving church revived by the pilgrims and Ku Klux Klan, is to get the person so their not such a geek. Baptist- we're going to beat you up so bad we're gonna make you look like an old man. The main thing at Luther's church is communion, while the rest of the service esp. the Nicean Creed is mocking the Catholics. We're friends with the Catholics now but they still hold some prejudice in this day and age of Pope Benedict, not really with Jean Paul II. It is a pleasurable experience in the Protestant branch to be baptized when you are of age. Lord will have mercy on the sinners who wish to defy god.

The best of the 55 volume writings of Luther.......2007-05-22

This is an excerpt of the 55 volume English translation of the writings of Luther.

People of all faiths will benefit from the focused, sharp insight of Luther.

A useable, convenient devotional that will last.......2007-04-27

I've spent years looking for a devotional that suits me. I knew I wanted one that would give me something to think about during the day but not take too long in the morning. I knew I wanted something that included everything right there on the page so I didn't have to juggle devotional, hymnal and Bible. I knew I wanted something that wasn't dumbed down, overly simple, ignored life's problems or made it sound like my personal relationship with Jesus was all that mattered.

I thought my standards were too high. They weren't. This is readable but intelligent; convenient but not too brief; and very faithful. You get a verse of scripture and then the rest of the page is a passage from one of Luther's works (lots of variety) that relates to it in some way. Most of them have to do with some piece of Christian living or practical theology. All very much stuff that relates to everyday life and applies to *me*, not just the perfect image of a Christian I have in my head. Great book. Also made to last.

A Long Awaited Devotional.......2007-03-13

With, Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional, the english world has a long awaited devotional in their hands. On these pages you will find Luther speaking for everyday, as he explains the Word, and applies the texts with his always practical counsel and advice. In light of the fact that Luther did not write many commentaries this a rich resource to be daily nourished by what God taught Luther as he searched the Scriptures and found consolation on its pages for weary pilgrims.

refreshingly straight forward and to the point.......2006-01-23

I am very familiar with his spot in church history, but not too familiar with Luther's writings. I like this devotional-- it is an excellent reminder of the call to believers that "we live by faith, not by sight" and that we rest because of Christ's work, not our own. I've been encouraged, challenged, and prodded to follow Christ whole-heartedly as I've read through the selections of the last few months.

Let the Trumpet Sound: Life of Martin Luther King, Jr., The

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Good Overview
A blueprint for change
Masterful balanced biography
The Life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Important book about a hero

Let the Trumpet Sound: Life of Martin Luther King, Jr., The
Stephen B. Oates
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 006092473X

Book Description

Winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Book Award and the Christopher Award, this brilliant examination of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. portrays a very real man and his dream that shaped America's history.

Customer Reviews:

Good Overview.......2006-02-24

For many of us, the Civil Rights era happened when we were too young to understand. This is a good overview of the man and his times. Many people who were just names before, became people to me.

Although, I believe King made some serious mistakes, I understand for the first time why he should have a national holiday. I had no idea he was such an impressive person. Keep in mind, this book was written by a serious historian; not just someone who wished to canonize King.

A blueprint for change.......2005-02-05

As a student activist during my college years, I was introduced to this book by one of many mentors. They said that this was a detailed account of how Dr. King and his soldiers pushed forward their agenda for change in America. It was more than that. It was a powerful testament of the conviction of Dr. King and the gameplan for dealing with racist America. He did not work alone but his analysis of each situation proved to be very timely and accurate. Later on, of course, his effectiveness lost a little of its punch but you can not change the success that came from his branch of the Movement. Stephen Oates so elequently noted the techniques and strategies used during the turbulant sixties. It gave me information on how to handle the media, the powers that be, other members of my allies and prepare for possible backstabbers. That was my reason for reading the book. However, I got SSSOOO much more.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a revolutionary. His faith in God was the driving force behind in nonviolent stance. His studies of Gandhi and Martin Luther further solidified his position. Destined for greatness from the time of his birth, MLK was always preparing himself (and being prepared) for that big moment. He was intelligent, charismatic and thorough in approach to segregation. A family man, a minister, a scholar and an activist. This book is a good starting point for not just learning about King but understanding him. He IS (not was) bigger than "I Have A Dream", bigger than boycotts, bigger than nonviolence. Thanks to Oates and this masterpiece, he can be celebrated for what he was, an instrument of change and the Prince of Peace.

Masterful balanced biography.......2004-05-17

Stephen Oates writes a masterful biography of one of the pivotal figures of the twentieth century. Today we view Martin Luther King Jr. as a saint, and a model of what the human spirit can achieve. In his day, he was viewed by many in the South with fear, hatred and loathing.

It is easy to view this situation in hindsight, and assume that everyone was just ignorant. Oates writes of the complex history, the battles within and outside "the movement" and how divided the nation was at the time. Oates also does not shirk away from many of Martin Luther King's personal weaknesses. In this sense, he humanizes the great leader, instead of canonizes him.

In the end, I am left with three conclusions:
1 - Martin Luther King Jr. indeed found a way to overcome hatred with love, and in doing so helped America avoid a race war.
2 - The message of civil rights was both religeous and personal. Despite today's views of the right being the party of religeon, in his day the southern liberal movement was galvanized in the church.
3 - Despite this, he was a flawed individual. His human weakness does not diminish his accomplishment.

The book is not light reading. Read it. Let it soak in. And comprehend.

The Life of Martin Luther King Jr........2002-05-07

This book was about a big part of our United States History. It was about Civil Rights. Martin Luther King Jr. was a big Civil Rights activist in the 1960's. I learned quite a bit about Martin Luther Kings's life that I did not know before I had read this book.
Martin Luther King was one of the most important people of our country's history. He fought for African-Americans Civil Rights. He was a very determined man, who was alwyas put into jail numerous times for his "peaceful protests". He had given several speeches as well. The author of this book is Stephen B. Oates. He is a good writer, who has written 16 books.He has also won many literary prizes such as the Christopher Award. This book is very well written. He clearly tells the story as if he had experienced it. His strenghts include: Getting actual quotes from the people that were important in this time, having pictures of Mr. King and others, and having footnotes that explained the story more in depth. I can not think of many weaknesses that he has. However, the book was long but I did not expect it to be short due to the importance of the topic. I would reccomend this book to many people. The reason why is because it tells you in depth stories about Martin Luther King Jr. and his life, but it does have profanity and innappropriate content for young children. All in all, this was a very good biography and taught me many things.

Important book about a hero.......2001-11-07

This is the best biography I've read, not only about King but overall. Oates does a fine job balancing between illuminating details that help make King accessible to the reader without getting bogged down in this detail. Likewise, this balance provides a fine introduction to the Civil rights movement. (I don't consider a weakness of Let the Trumpets Sound that Oates doesn't dwell on certain of Kings weaknesses, as he instead focuses on King's message and actions; again, I think Oates concentrates on the myriad aspects of King's life, and the movement, that truly were important.)

Anybody trying to learn more about the Civil rights Movement should read this (along with such books the Autobiograpohy of Malcolm X and any of a number of books about Gandhi).

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