Let God Be God!: An Interpretation of the Theology of Martin Luther
Overview
In this text Philip Watson asserts that similar to Copernicus’ challenge of the notion that the sun moved around the earth, Luther challenged the teaching that mortals were at the center and that everything moved around them. Instead, Luther claimed that God is the center, and without him, humanity is nothing. Human salvation lies not in things mortals do, but in what God does. The first part of Let God Be God evaluates Luther as a theologian and points out the motif of his thought, that humanity must recognize God’s will and way. The book proceeds to concentrate on three major themes in Luther: the revelation of God, the theology of the cross, and the doctrine of the Word. Those already acquainted with Luther will find this interpretation of his lectures, writings, and sermons particularly stimulating.
Top Highlights
“For what kind of love is it, that will not let God be God, but wishes to have Him at its own service?” (Page 61)
“When Luther selects some particular doctrine for special emphasis, he does so primarily because it crystallizes the fundamental controversy between himself and his opponents.” (Page 5)
“It is true that John Wesley, who spoke of the Reformer as a much greater man than himself,2 was also sharply critical of him on certain points. We shall have occasion to notice and to criticize his criticisms in due course; but it is only fair to say here that he had some excuse for making them.” (Page 3)
“In the De servo arbitrio, for example, his real intentions are not a little obscured because he adheres so closely to Erasmus’s statement of the issue.” (Page 9)
“The doctrine is not ours, but God’s, whose ministers we are called; therefore we may not change nor diminish one tittle” (Page 63)
- Title: Let God Be God!: An Interpretation of the Theology of Martin Luther
- Author: Philip S. Watson
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2000
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Luther, Martin, 1483-1546
- ISBNs: 9781579105082, 9780404198640, 1579105084, 0404198643
- Resource ID: LLS:LTGDBTHMRTNLTHR
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:22:16Z