Customer Reviews

The Bondage of the Will

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This translation of the classic work of Martin Luther is adequate to convey the message to the modern English reader. And the words of the Reformer will always merit our thoughtful attention. Comparing this publication with another translation of the same writing, namely the translation provided through Packer and Johnson, however, leads me to point others to the other publication. The primary reason: the other volume includes a lengthy and helpful "Historical and Theological Introduction" in addition to the Reformer's response to Erasmus. For basically the same amount of money, the other translation with the Introduction gives the reader much more.

"On the Bondage of the Will" was first published by Martin Luther in December 1525. It was written as a reply to Desiderius Erasmus' book called "On Free Will". Erasmus' book was a public attack on Luther in the topic of free will.

Luther writes the book to Erasmus and addresses him by name as if the reader is a voyeur in a dialog between two intellectuals. In a sweet tone Luther often refers to Erasmus as Friend Erasmus, while he rips him apart.

Luther vigorously affirms that Scripture undoubtedly teaches that man's "salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, counsels, efforts, will and works, and depends absolutely on the will, counsel, pleasure and work of Another - God alone."

Luther's hypothesis is as vital now as it was half a millennium ago. This is because human nature is defined by the tendency to stress its own autonomy outside of God. Regrettably, this is as true of Christians as it is of non-Christians.

Luther addresses the objections brought by Erasmus, gently considering each verse of Scripture that Erasmus uses, and showing the random character of his interpretation. He considers the arguments that Erasmus makes from "human reason", and considers other texts of the Bible that clearly teach the bondage of the will.

Luther's tone may seem odd to modern readers. We must not forget that he was answering a point where he knew that the very essence of the gospel was at stake.

This is a complex topic written in a digestible manner.