Review of Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen J. Nichols

Mike Leake

Author: Stephen J. Nichols

Pages: 240pgs

Publisher: P & R Publishing

Price: 8.39

Genre: Church History/Biography

Quick Summary:

Stephen Nichols has ironed out for himself quite a niche with these “Guided Tours”. They serve as introductions to many great figures in Christian History. One of these is his 240 page offering on Martin Luther. This book is an introduction to Luther and should be reviewed as such. Nichols aim is to orient readers to the life of thought of the great Protestant reformer.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section covers Luther’s life. This is the chronological and more biographical section of Luther. The second section concerns itself with Luther the Reformer. In this section Nichols attempts to let the reader into the mind of Luther as well as introduce some of Luther’s major writers during this period. The final section discusses Luther the Pastor.

What I Liked:

Somehow within 240 pages Nichols has summarized the life and thought of Martin Luther and has done it faithfully. Nichols writes in the spirit of one that loves the same gospel that drove Luther. The page is filled with helpful Luther quotes, cool pictures, and insightful information. This is probably the best work on an introduction to Luther. I think even those that have read numerous books on Luther will find enough information and helpful perspectives in this book to necessitate a purchase.

What I Disliked:

This is just a matter of personal preference and should have no bearing on whether you buy this book; but I never like the organization of a biography that breaks up the person’s story and makes it non-chronological. Considering the different facets of a person helps to see how he is more rounded as an individual but sometimes is unhelpful in seeing the story of how he became that well-rounded person.

Should You Buy It?

If you want to know about Martin Luther I can’t think of any other introductory book to purchase. If you are a big fan of Luther then you will want to purchase this too. If you care nothing about Luther and the Protestant Reformation then this book may change your mind. For under 10 bucks I see no reason to not purchase this book.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review of Luther: Man Between God and the Devil by Heiko A Oberman

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Author: Heiko A. Oberman

Pages: 380pgs

Publisher: Image Books

Price: 14.28

Genre: Church History/Biography

Quick Summary:

First published in 1982 Heiko A. Oberman offers a much needed German perspective of Martin Luther. Oberman sees Luther shaped by medieval theology more than we often realize. Luther, Oberman argues, sees all of history as a battle between God and the Devil. Luther finds himself engaged in this battle against the devil (often personified in popery). Oberman provides an interesting perspective on the life of Luther.

What I Liked:

Even for those that have read numerous works on Luther there is so much great information in this biography that it serves as a real page turner. I think Oberman offers a view of Luther and the Reformation that helps to balance who the man truly was. I always dislike it in biographies when the author tries to rescue the person from his own humanity. What makes Luther so great is that he was definitely human. Thankfully, Oberman allows the Reform to remain a man in need of reformation.

What I Disliked:

Even though, it is a helpful perspective I think at times Oberman may overplay the medieval theology of Luther. At times I think he overstates his case. There are occasions when some quotes seem to not support his position of Luther. But I am not anywhere near a Luther scholar so it’s quite possible that I’m totally off.

Oberman can be a tad wordy (I think about 300 pages would have been great for this book), and a little repetitive. There are some biographies that read a little smoother and stick in your mind a little better.

Should You Buy It?

This is not a sanitized biography of Luther. You get the man warts and all. And for that reason I heartily recommend it. Balance it with other works by other authors that may cast Luther in a tad different light, but nonetheless, this book needs to be considered by all that want to know about Luther. For an introductory study this may not be the one you want to read, but you certainly would not be disappointed if you want to tackle it.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Newton: Vested Interest

Mike Leake

I recently had the opportunity to go back to Missouri for a quick visit with my family.  During that visit my dad showed me a newspaper listing the upcoming court docket.  You know that boring page about property exchanges, boring court cases, etc.  I am pretty confident that my dad would have normally skipped over this section of the paper, but this time it was worth showing me. 

This listing was different because it was my grandfather’s estate.  That sounds like he was a wealthy plantation owner or something doesn’t it?  My grandfather was a humble man and lived according to humble means and left a humble inheritance.  But this “will”, this court case, was different than any other.  It was different because it was my grandfather’s. 

The point is that you read a will/settlement case differently than when you are a benefactor than when you are a lawyer or just boredly flipping through the paper on the john. 

And this difference is why we cannot simply argue an unbeliever into the kingdom.  There are certain things that a person must taste or have an interest in before they will notice.  Christ as revealed in the Scriptures looks different to a believer with eyes wide open and vested interest.  And it is the blessedness of this communion with the Lord that John Newton picks up on when he says:

To read the Scripture, not as an attorney may read a will, merely to know the sense, but as the heir reads it, as a description and proof of his interest; to hear the Gospel as the voice of our Beloved, so as to have little leisure either for admiring the abilities or censuring the defects of the preacher; and, in prayer, to feel a liberty of pouring out our hearts before the Lord, to behold some glances of his goodness passing before us, and to breathe forth before him the tempers of a child, the spirit of adoption; and thus, by beholding his glory, to be conformed more and more to his image, and to renew our strength by drawing water out of the wells of salvation; herein is blessedness. 

Do you hear in the Gospel the voice of your Beloved?  Do you read the Scriptures as an attorney reads a will or as an heir reads a will?  May you experience the blessedness of communion with the Lord today.

Does The Book of Eli have a Christian message?

Mike Leake 2 Comments

I just finished watching The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington.  I was intrigued by this movie and was excited because Plugged In Online called this, “perhaps, the most explicitly Christian film I’ve seen come out of the secular film industry since The Passion of the Christ.”  There were numerous other reviews that spoke of its Christian message.

If I were judging this movie simply based upon story and acting then it is a phenomenal film.  Denzel Washington is, in my opinion, one of the best actors of our day.  I am not sure I have ever seen a Denzel film that I did not like.  The story line and a few of the twists in the end also make for a great story. 

However, this is NOT a Christian film or even a Christian message.  I’m not just simply straining gnats here.  Apparently Eli has the entire Bible memorized.  That’s awesome.  But he misses the message.  In his opinion the message of the Bible is, “Do good to others above yourself”. 

There is absolutely no mention of Jesus.  No mention of redemption in Christ.  The Bible is seen as a great book.  But in the end it is placed alongside other great books of faith like the Torah, Koran, etc.  The view of Christ and the Scriptures is the typical secular view of what it means to be a Christian. 

Don’t get me wrong we can learn a ton from Eli.  His passion for the Scriptures is wonderful.  His single-minded devotion to doing what “the voice” told him is compelling.  We can learn much from this man.  But he does not proclaim a risen Christ.  So, I’m shocked and a little disturbed that respected Christian reviewers can say this movie is Christian.  Eli could have been walking around with the Three Little Pigs and it wouldn’t have changed the film (okay maybe that’s a reach). 

If you want to know the message of the book of Eli read this interview by the Hughes Brothers, and tell me that this is not the message proclaimed instead of Christ and Him crucified. 

So, in sum.  The movies good to watch it’s just not the gospel or anything close.