There are Social Historians and there are Intellectual Historians. It is a sad thing that people today seems to prefer the findings of the Social Historians over the Intellectual Historians. For example, the Reformation is today analysed by many from the perspectives of economic pressures, political climate and social conditioning when the most crucial perspective of analysis should be centered upon the "Battle of Ideas".

This book seeks to do just that. Steinmetz shows Luther as someone born to Theology as much as Bach was born to Music! More than that, Steinmetz's Luther is a fighter - a wrestler! Like Jacob of old, here we see Luther contending with his "contemporaries" - by that I mean the characters and ideas that more than any social concerns or pressures occupied his thoughts and demanded an appropriate response. We see Luther versus Abraham, Luther versus Isaiah, Luther versus Paul, Luther versus Augustine, Luther versus Ockham, Luther versus Erasmus and ultimately we see Luther versus himself and Luther versus God!

In short, we see Luther's beliefs as the product of conflict/crisis - much unlike the convenient/functional sort we see in many today. Reading this book allows me to see many Lutheran doctrines with far greater clarity than ever - e.g. the Hidden God, the Bondage of the Will, etc. I see Luther as someone like Jacob in the Book of Genesis holding on to the LORD, clinging on for his dear life! Then I see Luther limping away after his fights... a better man, a defeated man, a victorious man, a rebel and a worshipper. Israel.

Read Althaus' "Theology of Martin Luther" as your primer on Lutheranism. Then read this book to see everything in clearer perspective and context. I dare you to remain cool and disinterested after experiencing these vigorous battles of the mind and spirit.

I have read this book and find it to be very helpful. It is not just a book to be read but refered to over and over again and again. I have refered to it on many occasions. It is a sorce of help and a quick find to the topic one is serching for. I have purchased several copies and given them to friends. I also stocked our church book store so our members and Bible college students may obtain this book and use it in their private studies. This is a book that should be on every Christians book shelf. It lists the proverbs under topics and the wisdom of the Proverbs are easy to be found in this book under this system. Get it and you won"t regret it. Great help! Great Book! Thank you, Dr. Martin for all your hard work; you have saved me much time.

Adults and teens interested in their legal rights as family members will discover in this fine book that the ACLU is truly interested in their personal welfare, and that it wants to educate them on their rights both as American citizens and as family members. The book is nonpartisan. All ACLU books relating to civil rights are first rate and very satisfying to read. Martin Guggenheim, the author of this work, is a national figure in the area of civil rights law. After consulting this work - in Q&A format - consider reading other ACLU books for invaluable information about American civil rights law.

How can I write a review of something I haven't recieved.

Russell Windle

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer last winter, and we were given a copy of this book by a friend. We read and re-read it over and over. It was an excellent way to learn and discuss what was happening, and to learn what was going to happen. I highly reccommend it to anyone in this situation.

Bill Martin does an excellent job of describing the events one encounters when diagnosed with PC. He does it in layman terms and with subtle humor. I've been there.