Martin Luther: A Life

I loved this book! It brought to life the amazing events in Luther's life and also beautifully treats the theological and political issues of the Reformation and Luther's life. I truly don't know what book some of these others were reading who rated this book a one star. I'm not so sure they even read it. Nestingen is solid in his scholarship and in no way one sided in his approach. If you want to understand Luther and the significance of his life, get this book!

James Nestingen graduated from of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota in 1967, earned a master of divinity degree from Luther Seminary in 1971, and the master of theology degree in 1978. In 1984, He received his doctorate in theology from St. Michael's College, University of Toronto. Following his ordination in 1971, he served as a parish pastor for two congregations. In 1980, Nestingen returned to Luther Seminary as a professor of church history. Today, he is part of a renewal movement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, trying to return his church body to its confessional roots. At first look, Nestingen's book appears as nothing special: the book is cheaply bound and the print is too small. However, do not let such dissatisfiers dissuade you from reading this book. Like some other recent Martin Luther biographies, Nestingen tries to get the reader to understand the man Luther and his theology. Nestingen mostly succeeds. If I can say anything negative about this book, it is this: it is too short to flesh out his thoughts and put Luther more in context within his medieval, historical surroundings. Luther: a Life takes more dedication to read than, perhaps, what is considered (and rightly so) the current-day standard of Luther biographies: Kittleson's Luther the Reformer. Nestingen delves more deeply into Luther's mind and theology, yet skimps on covering some historical events that were simultaneously taking place. Although Nestingen's theological explanations are needed to understand Luther, they are never discussions merely to impress, or are they off-putting. However, Nestingen puts the reader in the precarious position of filling the depth, shadows, and color of much of what takes place in Luther's life. Starting chronologically, Nestingen glosses over Luther's early life and does not slow down to delve deeper until Luther becomes a monk. But as he digs deeper, one begins to see the rich deposits stored in Luther's mind that Nestingen brings to light. Nestingen describes the Christian life as "a dance of dying to Christ in the crucifixions of everyday life to be raised with him to newness of life--life in faith" (pg. 23). The very next page, Nestingen proclaims the purpose of preaching within the Church: "[it is] not merely to communicate information or to appeal to people's wills, but actually to give the gifts and benefits of Christ Jesus." Oh, what joy to read from a man who truly understands Luther! But Luther the man and theologian is not one so easily grasped. Nonetheless, Nestingen in short order opens a door to a way of thinking that we living in the 21st century do not naturally have: we contend for the "golden mean" or the ideal, middle ground. Yet, Luther worked within a dialectical world--a world of seeming opposites. Nestingen writes, "Truth comes out of the dialectic, that is, from the way in which two extremes butt up against one another to limit or to establish each other" (pg. 35). Luth

I grudgingly went to see the Martin Luther movie with some friends, but the film piqued my curiosity. This book not only answered all my questions, but I found it a fun and easy read. There are other books out there on Martin Luther, but this one is the best. Nestingen has written a book that manages to be not only informative, but amusing. Finally, considering Luther's revolutionary role in church history, this book is a must-have for anyone who identifies themselves as a Christian.

I don't know what these other two reviewers are talking about. I was raised Lutheran until high school and studied the Reformation in college. And I think to date this is my favorite treatment of Luther. Nestingen successfully covers the life of Luther, both is personal and public life and paints him in a likeable but realistic light. He pulls together mounds of scholarly info into a very brief account drawing light on things I'd never even heard of before. As for the typeset and the format of the book itself, I work in publishing and I think its fine, even cool! This new way of putting flaps on the paperback cover is different but easily allows you to mark your place in the book. I got used to it quickly. The photos in the book from movie stills add a lot both to the cover and the feel of the book. View a copy yourself before believing these other two reviews!