Luther's Theology of the Cross
Christ in Luther’s Sermons on John
by Dennis Ngien
Foreword by Alister E. McGrath
Afterword by Carl R. Trueman
Imprint: Cascade Books
Luther was fundamentally a preacher-pastor, "a care-taker of souls," whose ingenuity lies in his usage of the biblical message as a source of pastoral encouragement. This book seeks to capture the often-overlooked pastoral side of the Reformer through an examination of his sermons on John's gospel.
The sermons on John show the intrinsic, close, and causal link between doctrine and consolation. They are an exercise of his vocation as a pastor, or more precisely, as a theologian of the cross who seeks to inculcate the good news of justification by faith in his people, leading them to experience it within the dialectic of law and gospel. St. John, said Luther, "is the master in the article of justification." Luther's theological method, namely, his theology of the cross, permeates and governs the exposition of the text, and all major themes of his theology-- Christology, Trinity, and soteriology--appear in his exegesis of John.
Dennis Ngien (PhD) is the inaugural holder of the Alister E. McGrath Chair of Christian Thought and Spirituality and professor of Systematic Theology at Tyndale University College & Seminary, Toronto. Formerly Research Scholar at Blackfriars Hall, Oxford University, he is the author of several books including his most recent Fruit for the Soul: Luther on the Lament Psalms (Fortress, 2015), and Luther's Theology of the Cross: Christ in Luther's Sermons on John (Cascade Books, 2018).
“With a sure ear for the nuances of Luther’s engagement with the text of his favorite gospel and for the questions of our own time, Ngien again renders the Reformer’s interpretation of Scripture understandable and relevant for modern readers. His special combination of keen-sighted theological analysis of Luther’s faith and a sensitive meditative application of his insights gained from the evangelist John’s depiction and confession of Christ permits both the evangelist and the Reformer to speak directly to twenty-first-century faith and life.”
—Robert Kolb, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis
“John was Martin Luther’s favorite gospel because he believed that it provided a clear pathway into the very heart of God. Dennis Ngien has given us here a major study of Luther’s sermons on this great New Testament text. The whole scope of Luther’s theology is evident in these sermons and they bear close study and reflection.”
—Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
“What could possibly be of greater import for the Christian believer than to contemplate the salvific grace extended to us at Calvary? As a grateful recipient of this grace and as a lover of Martin Luther, Dr. Ngien has taken the time to meditate, marinate, and mediate Luther’s theology of the cross to us with the greatest care. And as a true ‘insider’ in the world of Lutheran studies, he has done a masterful job.”
—Granville McKenzie, Senior Pastor, Faith Sanctuary, Toronto
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