Martin Luther and the Seven Sacraments - Paperback

by Brian C. Brewer (Preface by)

This introduction to Martin Luther's sacramental theology addresses a central question in the life of the church and in ecumenical dialogue. Although Luther famously reduced the sacraments from seven to two (baptism and the Lord's Supper), he didn't completely dismiss the others. Instead, he positively recast them as practices in the church. This book explores the medieval church's understanding of the seven sacraments and the Protestant rationale for keeping or eliminating each sacrament. It also explores implications for contemporary theology and worship, helping Protestants imagine ways of reclaiming lost benefits of the seven sacraments.

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The later medieval Western church's narrow scholastic definition of the term 'sacrament' and its selection of seven rituals of the church for this nomenclature were problematic for the scriptural renaissance of the sixteenth century. Brewer presents a thorough and balanced study of Luther's contribution to the debate and offers scholars of sacramental and historical theology a most useful, authoritative work. This book will be crucial reading for scholars and students alike.
--Bryan D. Spinks, Yale Divinity School and Yale Institute of Sacred Music

"Martin Luther dismissed all but two of the seven sacraments of the medieval church. Yet Luther valued the spiritual support that people received from the ceremonies associated with penance, confirmation, marriage, ordination, and even extreme unction. Brewer reviews Luther's teaching in this field, compares it with the opinions of subsequent reformers, and recommends methods of reviving the legitimate purposes of the seven sacraments in Protestantism today. This book is a model of the use of historical theology as a resource for the contemporary church."
--David Bebbington, University of Stirling, Scotland; Baylor University

"This excellent volume is an important exploration of Luther's sacramental theology. For those seeking greater understanding of the Lutheran Reformation and for those involved in contemporary ecclesial life in an ecumenical context, this stimulating study is essential reading."
--Ian Randall, Spurgeon's College, London; International Baptist Theological Study Centre, Amsterdam

"Brewer delves into the Protestant traditions around the sacraments to suggest that the modern church is impoverished by the loss of its own rich heritage, and he proposes doctrinally and pastorally sensitive roads to recovery of that treasure."
--R. Ward Holder, Honors Program, Saint Anselm College

"This book is both a historical review and a practical retrieval--a must read for anyone interested in how the sacraments and rituals of the church have been and are to be understood."
--David Wilhite, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University

"Brewer's thorough--but thoroughly Protestant--appreciation of Christian practices thought by Roman Catholics to be sacraments reveals their value even for Protestants. Brewer's work is ecumenical in the best sense of the word. As the church observes five hundred years of Reformation, this book will help us remember what must be retained and what can be let go."
--Derek Nelson, Wabash College