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The Bondage of the Will

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By: (1483-1546)

In "The Bondage of the Will," Martin Luther presents a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of free will and its implications for Christian theology. Drawing on his deep knowledge of scripture and theological tradition, Luther argues that humankind's will is inherently bound by sin and cannot choose salvation without the grace of God.

Luther's writing is both lucid and impassioned, as he dismantles the arguments of his opponent, Desiderius Erasmus, with precision and force. His defense of the doctrine of justification by faith alone is particularly compelling, as he demonstrates how the human will is unable to earn salvation through good works.

While some readers may find Luther's uncompromising stance on predestination and divine sovereignty challenging, his insights into the sinful nature of humanity and the necessity of God's grace are both profound and relevant. "The Bondage of the Will" is a timeless work that continues to provoke important questions about the nature of free will, faith, and salvation.

Book Description:
On the Bondage of the Will (Latin: 'De Servo Arbitrio', literally, "On Un-free Will", or "Concerning Bound Choice"), by Martin Luther, was published in December 1525. It was his reply to Desiderius Erasmus's De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio or On Free Will, which had appeared in September 1524 as Erasmus's first public attack on Luther, after being wary about the methods of the reformer for many years. At issue was whether human beings, after the Fall of Man, are free to choose good or evil. The debate between Luther and Erasmus is one of the earliest of the Reformation over the issue of free will and predestination.


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