How Melanchthon Helped Luther Discover the Gospel: The Doctrine of Justification in the Reformation

— —

Dr. Scott Leonard Keith Lowell C. Green

How Melanchthon Helped Luther Discover the Gospel

The Doctrine of Justification in the Reformation

Dr. Scott Leonard Keith, Lowell C. Green

$34.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

1517 Publishing
19 January 2022

Religion & beliefs

This book is not claiming Melanchthon rediscovered the gospel. That honor belongs to his friend and mentor, Martin Luther. Nevertheless, Dr. Lowell C. Green argues that Melanchthon helped Luther in the task. Dr. Green knew that in choosing the title, How Melanchthon Helped Luther Discover the Gospel, he risked arousing the prejudice of those who look on Melanchthon with suspicion. Green is not blind to Melanchthon's faults; at times, he is critical of him. But, he debunks the myth that when Melanchthon came to Wittenberg in 1518, Luther had already developed his Reformational doctrine. Green shows that Melanchthon brought the tools of humanism to the aid of the emerging agitation. Although maintaining a subordinate role to Luther, Melanchthon helped him repeatedly at the turning points of the Reformation.

Green asserts that Melanchthon was the first to speak of the authority of the Bible over the church. In his Baccalaureate Theses of 1519, Melanchthon became the first to articulate the forensic nature of justification. Most surprisingly, Melanchthon helped Luther move from the medieval view of faith as credulitas or adhaesio (adherence) to the Reformational view of faith as fiducia (trust) and assurance of salvation. Luther testified that he learned this from Melanchthon in 1518.

As late as 1519, Luther had not yet abandoned the medieval view of grace as an infused substance. Melanchthon again led the way in 1520 when he declared that grace was simply the attitude of God-His favor. In his 1521 Loci Communes Melanchthon not only pointed out that grace is not something in us, but he made the important distinction between ""grace"" and ""the gift of grace"" (the Holy Spirit). Luther generously acknowledged the brilliance of Melanchthon's Loci Communes. This and other accolades Luther showered on Melanchthon are an indication of young scholar's influence on the great reformer's central teachings.

Lowell C. Green was one of America's foremost Luther scholars, and his body of work continues to inform and shape Reformation studies today. This edition of How Melanchthon Helped Luther Discover the Gospel is the fruition of more than twenty-five years of Luther studies. Dr. Green's central thrust was to challenge the ""Young Luther"" cult which originated in the early 1900s and gained such a stranglehold on Luther studies in the 1950s and 1960s. In this volume, Green marshals the evidence gathered over a lifetime of study, joining his voice to a choir of scholars who challenge the central thesis of the ""Young Luther"" movement.

After thoroughly demonstrating that Luther's early works contained a medieval or Roman Catholic ""analytical justification,"" Green traces the emergence of the Reformational doctrine and a real break with medieval theology beginning in 1519.

Green amply demonstrates that the mature Luther subscribed to and frequently expressed the doctrine of justification in forensic terms so that the glory of our salvation could be ascribed wholly to Christ and for the comfort of conscience against the accusing power of the law.

By: Lowell C. Green
Foreword by: Dr. Scott Leonard Keith
Imprint: 1517 Publishing
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 228mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 403g
ISBN: 9781948969550
ISBN 10: 1948969556
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 19 January 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Lowell C. Green (1925-2014) was an ordained Lutheran clergyman. He was educated at Colorado State College of Education, Wartburg College, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Texas Technical College and at the University of Erlangen, where in 1955 he received his Dr. theol., magna cum laude, for the dissertation, ""Die Entwicklung der evangelischen Rechtfertigungslehre bei Melanchthon bis 1521 im Vergleich mit der Luthers."" He was Professor of Theology and History at Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois. He was a member of the Luther-Gesellschaft, The American Society for Reformation Research, American Society of Church History, Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, and the Concordia Historical Institute. He was also a founder and director of the Concordia Academy. His vast theological library can be found in the Valparaiso University Library.

WIN $150 GIFT VOUCHERS: ALADDIN'S GOLD

How Melanchthon Helped Luther Discover the Gospel

The Doctrine of Justification in the Reformation

Dr. Scott Leonard Keith, Lowell C. Green

$34.99

Paperback

See Also

Contact Abbeys

Contact Galaxy

Contact Language

Contact Us

About ABBEY'S