Martin Bucer's Doctrine of Justification: Reformation Theology and Early Modern Irenicism

by Brian Lugioyo

Overview

Martin Bucer has usually been portrayed as a diplomat who attempted to reconcile divergent theological views, sometimes at any cost, or as a pragmatic pastor who was more concerned with ethics than theology. These representations have led to the view that Bucer was a theological light-weight, rightly placed in the shadow of Luther and Calvin. This book makes a different argument. Bucer was an ecclesial diplomat and a pragmatic pastor, yet his ecclesial and practical approaches to reforming the Church were guided by coherent theological convictions. Central to his theology was his understanding of the doctrine of justification, an understanding that Brian Lugioyo argues has an integrity of its own, though it has been imprecisely represented as intentionally conciliatory. It was this solid doctrine that guided Bucer's irenicism and acted as a foundation for his entrance into discussions with Catholics between 1539 and 1541. Lugioyo demonstrates that Bucer was consistent in his approach and did not sacrifice his theological convictions for ecclesial expediency. Indeed his understanding was an accepted evangelical perspective on justification, one to be commended along with those of Luther and Calvin.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199889020
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/06/2010
Series:	Oxford Studies in Historical Theology
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	17 MB
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About the Author

Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Spring Arbor University

Table of Contents

Abbreviations 1. Introduction: Martin Bucer-A Consistent Theologian 2. Bucer's Irenic Approach to Reform 3. Bucer's Doctrine of Justification in his Romans Commentary (1536) 4. Gropper's Doctrine of Justification in the Enchiridion (1538) 5. Martin Bucer's Doctrine of Justification in 16th c. Dialog (1539-1541) 6. Conclusion 7. Appendices: English Translations 8. Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

"As an important contribution to the study of Reformation era theology, this book sheds new light on the theology and reforming activity of Martin Bucer, leader of the Protestant Reformation in Strasbourg. Brian Lugioyo provides a careful work of intellectual history...Lugioyo has done a significant service to academy and church in lifting up with convincing clarity the ecumenical possibilities Bucer represented and represents." —Church History

"Lugioyo's monograph is an important contribution to the study of Bucer, and to the efforts at achieving a reconciliation of Protestant and Catholic in the German Empire before the split became an enduring one. . . . In light of contemporary discussions of the doctrine of justification, including continuing ecumenical dialogue of Catholic and Protestant, Lugioyo's book will be of interest to a wider audience than specialists in the Reformation, but it is the latterwho will benefit the most from it."—Renaissance Quarterly

"For Martin Bucer the doctrine of justification through faith and love of neighbor was a fundamental of Christian faith. Brian Lugioyo argues that Bucer's understanding of this doctrine was not the result of a 'mediating theology,' as commonly believed, but had its own distinctive characteristics. By analyzing Bucer's commentary on Romans, and his articles on justification in the Interconfessional Colloquies of 1539-41, Lugioyo sheds new light on Bucer and the confessional unionism of the period. This is a major contribution to a renewal of Bucer studies."

—Irena Backus, Professor of Reformation History, University of Geneva

"In his fine analysis of the theology of Martin Bucer, Brian Lugioyo offers a fresh look at this reformer, demonstrating that Bucer's thought is of an impressive originality and consistency. The book locates justification at the center of Bucer's theology, and this, combined with his irenical attitude, proves that Bucer is more relevant than ever."

—Herman Selderhuis, Director of Refo500 and Research Curator of the Johannes a Lasco Library

"With great skill and clarity, the author describes how the Protestant teaching of justification takes shape in Martin Bucer's commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. He proves convincingly that during the religious talks with Roman Catholic theologians, the Strasbourg reformer did not depart from this core Protestant principle, which was central to his own theology as well. This book presents a significant contribution to the scholarship on Martin Bucer."

—Martin Greschat, author of Philipp Melanchthon: Theologe, Pädagoge und Humanist

"This book is a good contribution to scholarship in this fascinating area, and his careful use of the texts is readily apparent...the book does provide a valuable contribution to Reformation studies in general, and the work of Martin Bucer in particular. As more of Bucer's works are published in the critical editions and also in English, students of the Reformation will be able to encounter the thought of this too-often-neglected stalwart of the Reformation. This book provides a valuable insight into this important reformer."—Sixteenth Century Journal

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