Carl R. Trueman, Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Christian Focus Publications, 2011, 127 pgs.

Summary: Four chapters originally delivered as lectures by Professor Trueman at the Evangelical Theological College of Wales in 2000. He lays out the importance of Luther’s theological insight at the Reformation and its relevance for today. Trueman is a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary.

Trueman argues that Luther brought Jesus Christ back into the center of theological discussion by recognizing that Roman Catholic theology was “cheapening God’s grace, trivializing sin and misleading the laity” (20). Further, “[c]orrupt belief and corrupt practice went hand-in-hand, and one could not be reformed without the reformation of the other” (21).

The lesson that the modern church must recognize is that the flesh is constantly attempting to drag good and even wicked things into the center of our doctrine and practice. The process of “cheapening God’s grace” and “trivializing sin” is a constant battle and not merely a onetime event. To overcome the pull of bad doctrine and practice, we must return to Paul, and Luther’s, theology of the cross that places Christ in the center.

God in Christ only remains in the center of church life and doctrine when the word is preached, and the Bible studied and understood by the entire congregation.

Benefits/Detriments: Excellent and helpful book. Establishes a solid framework for considering the Reformation and church life.

Recommended for all.  On the bookstall.