Martin Luther: The Problem with Faith and Reason

Luther's critics have consistently charged him as an irrationalist and pessimist concerning reason's capabilities, and even by his followers as a fideist who sees little or no relationship between faith and reason. In this book, David Andersen offers a fresh and timely re-evaluation of Luther and his understanding of the relationship between faith and reason based upon a thorough engagement with Luther's mature writings. Dr. Andersen persuasively argues that, far from being either an irrationalist or a fideist, Luther stands within an empiricist tradition and that his pronouncements on fallen human reason can be understood only from that philosophical perspective. Based upon recent research into the writings of William of Ockham, who positively influenced Luther in this area, Dr. Andersen also shows that Luther can no longer be charged as a pessimist concerning human knowledge. Reason has an important role to play for Luther in bringing one to faith, and the objectivity of Christ's resurrection serves as that focal point that validates all Christian discourse. In subordinating itself to the facts of the death and resurrection of Christ for the forgiveness of sins, reason's created function is restored to some extent as it receives that forgiveness in the words of Holy Scripture and the visible means of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

David Andersen holds a Ph.D. in theology from Wycliffe Hall, Oxford/Coventry University and has taught at several American universities. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

John Warwick Montgomery is Professor Emeritus of Law and Humanities, University of Bedfordshire, England; Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University Wisconsin; and Director, International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights (Strasbourg, France). He holds ten earned degrees, including a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, the Doctorat d'Universite in Protestant theology from the University of Strasbourg, France, and the LL.M. and LL.D. from the University of Cardiff, Wales/UK. He is an English barrister and a member of the Paris bar. A frequent contributor to Christianity Today, Montgomery has been honored by inclusion in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in France, Who's Who in the World, and the Dictionary of International Biography. He is the author of some fifty books in the areas of theology, philosophy, law, and church history. He pleads cases before the European Court of Human Rights and has received the Patriarch's Medal of the Romanian Orthodox Church for his efforts in behalf of religious liberty. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor.

Paul Helm is a Teaching Fellow at Regent College, Vancouver, Canada. He held the Chair of the History and Philosophy at King's College, London, 1993-2000. He is the author of several books, including John Calvin's Ideas (2004) and Eternal God (2nd ed., 2010).