Book Review: The Reformation and the Irrepressible Word of God

The Reformation has to be one of the most critical points in the history of the church. This movement started by Martin Luther began to look at what the Bible says about what does it take to be saved. This movement also looked at the Bible as the final authority for the believer in faith and practice.

Nearly two years ago, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which had many conferences and books on the subject. The Reformation and the Irrepressible Word of God is a collection of essays written by men from the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School address the message of the Bible as the heart of the Reformation. Scott Manetsch wrote, "The Reformation was not first and foremost about changing the social or political order but rather about recovering from Scripture the central message of Christianity - the God extends grace to sinners who trust in Jesus Christ alone - and applying that theological insight to the spiritual needs of men and women as well as the practical concerns of church and community."

The book is divided into four sections. The first deals with how the Bible was interpreted in the Reformation. We see how important it was during that time for the proper interpretation of the Bible and how to pass it along other protestants. We also see the development of Martin Luther's Christology in the interpretation of the Bible. The second section address the preaching and pastoral care during the Reformation. The third section looks at the doctrine of justification in the Reformation and how justification is addressed today. Finally, we look at the Christian life during the Reformation, which one chapter addresses the sainthood for all believers which is grounded in the doctrine of justification.

This book is strictly academic but it is very useful in one's study of the Reformation.

Thanks InterVarsity Press for letting me review this book.