Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross: The Augustinianism of Martin Luther's Heidelberg Disputation and the Origins of Modern Philosophy of Religion

These theological paradoxes ... have been deduced well or poorly from St. Paul the especially chosen vessel and instrument of Christ and also from St. Augustine his most trustworthy interpreter. These are some of Martin Luthers words that introduce his Heidelberg Disputation (1518) a collection of doctrinal theses that serves as a manifesto of Luthers theology. The German Reformer claimed that his theses were a faithful exposition not only of Pauline theology but also of Augustines doctrine of salvation. Luthers Augustinian Theology of the Cross is an unprecedented commentary of Luthers Heidelberg Disputation. Through a wide range of Augustinian texts the author shows the accuracy of Luthers claim. Moreover the work offers some original considerations that are of interest to both theology and philosophy. In the year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this volume is a lively and stimulating addition to the debate about the relationship between Augustines soteriology and the theology of the Reformation. Recent work on the reformation has emphasized the extent to which the legacy of medieval Catholicism was positively if critically received within the emerging protestant churches. Marco Barones important study argues that Luther drew upon Augustines work on soteriology to construct a critique of philosophical systems that emphasized epistemological and ethical autonomy. Barone extends this critique in fresh readings of Kant and Leibniz. Barones conclusions may be provocative but they deserve careful consideration by scholars across disciplines with interests in the relationship between early modern theology and philosophy. --Crawford Gribben Queens University Belfast author of John Owen and English Puritanism: Experiences of Defeat Marco Barone in this book provides us with a fascinating study of Luthers anti-Pelagian (i.e. Augustinian) convictions. Then he tests his thesis by looking at and comparing and contrasting Luthers perspective with certain prevalent philosophical views. This is work of a high caliber and tremendously fruitful for faithful confessional orthodox constructive theology. --Jeffrey C. Waddington Knox Orthodox Presbyterian Church Lansdowne Pennsylvania Barones book is a superb and convincing treatment of a grand subject: the faithfulness of Martin Luther to the theology of Augustine in proclaiming a radical gospel of grace founded on what Luther called the theology of the cross in contrast to the heretical theology of glory. --David J. Engelsma from the foreword Marco Barone is a doctoral candidate in philosophy. He writes on his blog philosophyofthecross.blogspot.com