Miikka Ruokanen reveals the powerfully Trinitarian and participatory nature of Martin Luther's conception of divine grace in his magnum opus The Bondage of the Will. The study establishes a genuinely new understanding of Luther's major treatise opening up its ecumenical potential. Luther's debate with Erasmus signifies not only a disagreement concerning free will, but the dispute reveals two contrasting understandings of the very core idea of the Christian faith. For Erasmus, the relationship of the human being with God is based on the rationally and morally acceptable principles of fair play. For Luther, the human being is captivated by the overwhelming power of unfaith and transcendental evil, Satan; only the monergistic grace of the Triune God and the power of the Holy Spirit can liberate him/her. Ruokanen verifies the Trinitarian vision of salvation “by grace alone” as the center of Luther's theology. This doctrine has three dimensions. Firstly, the conversion of the sinner and the birth of faith in Christ are effected by prevenient divine grace; justification “through faith alone,” is the sole work of God's Spirit, comparable to creation ex nihilo. Secondly, participation in the person, life, and divine properties of Christ, as well as participation in his salvific work, his cross and resurrection, are possible solely because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer. Justification means simultaneously the forensic declaration of the guilty non-guilty on the basis of the atonement by Jesus' cross, as well as a union with Christ in the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, sanctification means the gradual growth of love for God and neighbor enabled by the believer's participation in divine love in the Holy Spirit. Ruokanen's work offers a crucial modification and advance to the world-renowned Finnish school of Luther interpretation: Luther's classic use of Pneumatological language avoids the problems caused by using an ontological language.

This antiquarian book contains a fascinating treatise on atheism, religion, and science. A thought-provoking and informative exploration of the ostensibly opposed ideas and beliefs of science and popular religion, this volume is highly recommended for those with an interest in the development of religious beliefs and the validity of alternative theories. The chapters of this book include: “The Revolution of Religious Beliefs”, “The Koran and the Old and New Testaments”, “The Prophets Mohammed, Jesus, And Moses – Charlatans or Victims of Mental and Physical Disease”, “Soundness of a Foundation for A Belief in a Deity”, “The Persistence of Religion”, “Religion and Science”, etcetera. Many antiquarian books such as this are increasingly hard to come by and expensive, and it is with this in mind that we are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high quality edition. It comes complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on atheism.

'Only God can rescue you now. You are trapped until he sends someone to free you or he decides to do it himself, which I doubt, so you may be here for a while.' Satan replied,'I am not done by a long shot, we will meet again, and next time I will destroy you.' Marion Garfield made the ultimate deal with God. In return for release from jail, he would do anything the Lord instructed him to do. Although he had not been a religious man before, God chose him to carry out his plan to save mankind. Now Marion has been given the alter-ego of The Warrior, and he has the Lord's power to bring Satan's rampage to a fiery end. But Marion isn't sold on his conviction to become The Warrior. He meets the beautiful Pamela, and now risking his life for mankind doesn't seem as important as surviving to be with her. God has granted each man the blessing of free will, which means Marion has a choice. He can reject the Lord's employment and run away with Pamela, or he can risk his life by fulfilling God's plan. Should he risk his life and lose the one he loves? Or risk the rescue of mankind, hoping God will find another? Authors Mike and Paula Dixon take you on a wild ride through the garden of Eden and the flaming furnaces of hell in this magnificent story of what it truly means to be a superhero— The Beast's Burden.