A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance
by Kirsten Birkett
About the Authors
Michael Reeves (PhD, King’s College, London) is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in the UK. He is a Senior Fellow of Newton House, Oxford, Director of the European Theologians Network, and speaks and teaches regularly worldwide.
Tim Chester is a pastor, author, and teacher. Tim is a faculty member of Crosslands Training and has written and contributed to over 40 books. He has a PhD in theology and was previously Research and Policy Director for Tearfund UK. Tim is a trustee of Keswick Ministries, and lectures and teaches widely on Missiology and Christian spirituality.
Contents
- Justification How Can We Be Saved?
- Scripture How Does God Speak to
- Sin What Is Wrong with Us?
- Grace What Does God Give Us?
- The Theology of the Cross How Do We Know What Is True?
- Union with Christ Who Am I?
- The Spirit Can We Truly Know God?
- The Sacraments Why Do We Take Bread and Wine?
- The Church Which Congregation Should I Join?
- Everyday Life What Difference Does God Make on Monday Mornings?
- Joy and Glory Does the Reformation Still Matter?
General Summary
An overview of Reformation doctrines and their necessity to Christian life, clearly explained with reference to the life of Luther and other Reformers.
Chapter 1: Justification: How can we be saved?
Medieval theology saw sin as a problem of being that needed healing through the sacraments; with confession came forgiveness of sins. Luther was terrified of judgement, and afraid of failing to confess all sins. He came to a new understanding of sin as a relational problem, and righteousness as a gift from God, Christ’s righteousness imputed to us, by faith alone. Good works follow, as well as assurance of salvation.
Chapter 2: Scripture: How does God speak to us?
When Luther had to choose between the authority of the Church, or of Scripture, he chose Scripture. The medieval Church held to authoritative Tradition as well as Scripture; their Scripture translation held errors. Reformers returned to the original texts, and so discarded or corrected various medieval doctrines. Zwingli upheld Scripture’s understandability. Christ speaks through his word, read or preached; it brings faith. It is where we hear the voice of God. . . .
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