Customer Reviews

By Faith Alone

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is an absolutely superb book among others of its kind. To me, Martin Luther's messages help me re-capture the pivotal significance of Christian faith in daily life.

"Oh, believe and trust in God, and pray to Him in faith!" was far too common a piece of advice made to me from others when I was in life crisis. Though theologically sound, this line of thinking only explained to me why I should have faith. It helped me little in cultivating a firm faith in God in the midst of unbearable life difficulties.

From Martin Luther's writings, I could get resonating encouragement instantly. The point is: he has walked through a far farther Christian journey than mine and he has a lot of -real- life lessons (but not abstract viewpoints) for me to learn. Not only that, he shared his personal struggles very honestly with his readers (or audience in his time), and this down-steps his monumental theological image to an ordinary John Doe like you and me. The more I read, the more I feel like talking to a mature friend of mine.

I have tried no less than a dozen of classic/modern devotion books, "By Faith Alone" is by far the only one I would bother to write such a positive review.

To those who want to deepen their experience with God through the most tangible path of faith, I recommend this book without reservation.

I have used several devotionals in book form and on the internet, but this one is by far the best I've experienced. By Martin Luther's direct and honest writing, you know he writes from experience. The devotions are taken from Martin Luther's sermons and are broken down into one one-page devotion for each day of the year. I read today's devotion in the morning and reread a devotion from earlier in the year in the evening and continue to gain insight from it. I expect to use it every year and am considering purchasing several copies for family members that appreciate devotional books.

If you are a Christian of extremes--often finding that you are veering to the left or to the right when you simply want to stay on God's path--then this devotional is for you. I personally read it contrary to the way it is set up--not as a daily devotional, I often read ten or so "days" at a time--mostly because I, too, struggle with staying centered in Christ. Martin Luther's work will help you do this. For on one page he writes of faith, on the next, he writes of good works. He is uses Scripture to illustrate the proper place for each in our lives. Other helpful topics include how we should view God (not as Judge, not simply as Creator, but as Father). I have found this reading most helpful.

Luther understands human nature and man's condition. He knows how Christians are and how they live...imperfectly! But, it is faith alone that justifies you in the eyes of God. Don't worry my brothers and sisters in Christ, God loves you in spite of your sins. He knows when you're hurt and He knows that you may be confused; but have faith in God, even when you don't understand it. Place all your anxieties on Him, and live your life at Peace. This book helps make Scripture come alive, and it's a great into to Martin Luther's thoughts. Here's a sample (based on Luke 18:13):

"Some say, "I would feel better about God hearing my prayer if I were more worthy and lived a better life." I simply answer: If you don't want to pray before you feel that you are worthy or qualified, then you will never pray again. Prayer must not be based on or depend on your personal worthiness or the quality of the prayer itself but on the unchanging truth of God's promise. If the prayer is based on itself, or on anything else besides God's promise, then it's a false prayer that deceives you - even if your heart was breaking with intense devotion, and you were weeping drops of blood. We pray because we are unworthy to pray. Our prayers are heard precisely because we believe that we are unworthy. We become worthy to pray when we risk everything on God's faithfulness alone."

My husband and I both continue to be amazed at how these nuggets of Luther's writings help us understand God better and draw nearer to Him every day. After reading each day's devotional I read the scriptural references, and their cross-references, and always come away enlightened. After trying many other devotionals, I've finally found one that I love. I can't imagine any Christian not gaining from it.

This translation captures Luther's "right to the point" style. Each devotion shows insights from a man who lived the struggles he writes about. It is informative, thought provoking and comforting - encouragement to truly live by faith in Christ alone.

This devotional book with selected devotions by Martin Luther has much for which to to be commended. The translation is vibrant and the devotions are solid, which Martin Luther was masterful at writing. No archaisms or long, Germanic-style sentences get in the way transferring meaning.

However, a non-representative selection process devalued what could have been a most-superb book. Core to Luther's theological worldview was that of Word and Sacrament--his understanding of the Gospel. To make the devotional book appeal the general Protestantism, it seems to me that the book's editor chose devotions that did not cover any of the Sacraments more than superficially: The Lord's Supper, Baptism, and Absolution. Such an editorial decision was untenable.

Also, the English stylists favored "God's approval" for "justification," which some view as theological jargon. However, "approval" hardly covers the entire meaning of "justification." Perhaps, the stylists should have favored "declare righteous" or "acquit" instead. Devotions that deliberately avoid the Lutheran understanding of the means of grace and some poor renderings force this book to have a lower rating than it should have earned!

"By Faith Alone" written by Martin Luther is an excellent devotional. Reading through this book is like sitting in one of his churches and hearing the Great Reformer himself speak to you from these pages. Refreshing, honest, direct. A must for every Christian's library.

While not the most complex and challenging of devotional materials and while it uses a Scripture translation not among my favorites, the book combines the vitality of the Reformer and the ability of the translator to provide a series of brief yet compelling devotional reflections. This Luther speaks kindly and directly to heart and soul.

Well written, easily understood, a excellent resource covering a wide selection of christian themes.

Luther's words translate to todays lives in this collection of short readings.

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