{"id":26391,"date":"2016-12-14T06:00:51","date_gmt":"2016-12-14T11:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/geneveith\/?p=26391"},"modified":"2016-12-13T22:45:20","modified_gmt":"2016-12-14T03:45:20","slug":"gift-ideas-reading-romans-luther","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/geneveith\/2016\/12\/gift-ideas-reading-romans-luther\/","title":{"rendered":"Gift ideas: Reading Romans with Luther"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"Reading<\/a>Let\u2019s start a series of posts on ideas for Christmas presents! \u00a0Here is a good one: \u00a0Reading Romans with Luther<\/a>. \u00a0It\u2019s by R. J. Grunewald, a sometime commenter here at the Cranach blog.<\/p>\n

Luther\u2019s greatest theological works are his commentaries on Scripture, such was his concern to adhere closely to the text of God\u2019s Word. \u00a0One of his greatest works is his commentary on Romans, the epistle in which St. Paul explores the Gospel of salvation through the work of Christ in its depths. \u00a0Here is the Law & Gospel, the universality of sin, the grace of God, the gift of Christ, the Cross, Baptism, good works, Christian freedom\u2013it\u2019s all here!<\/p>\n

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But the book of Romans can be tough going. \u00a0Luther\u2019s commentary unpacks it, but it can be tough going too. \u00a0In this book, Grunewald unpacks both of them. \u00a0Jumping back and forth from the Bible, the Commentary, and his own contemporary applications, Grunewald\u00a0leads you into deep understanding and insight.<\/p>\n

I read an advance manuscript and gave CPH a blurb for the book. \u00a0Here is what I wrote:<\/p>\n

The Epistle to the Romans contains some of the Bible\u2019s richest explorations of the Gospel. Luther\u2019s Commentary on Romans <\/em>shows how great a theologian\u2014that is, an expositor of Scripture\u2014he is. In this book, R. J. Grunewald serves up extracts from both St. Paul and Luther and then explains and applies them in an utterly fresh, contemporary, and illuminating way.<\/p>\n

With its three voices\u2014those of St. Paul, Luther, and Rev. Grunewald\u2014this book is a highly original, extremely readable treatment of our justification by Christ. Laypeople will read it with pleasure and give it to their non-Christian friends.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The book won\u2019t be released until January 12. \u00a0But if you pre-order it on Amazon<\/a>, then go to the book\u2019s website<\/a>, you can give your order number and you will receive freebies: bonus content, copies of the book\u2019s artwork, sermon notes, and a discussion guide.<\/p>\n