Luther on Vocation

This book is so incredibly useful that I don't think I possess the skill to do it justice. There is likely a fairly good reason that Martin Luther single-handedly changed the course of the world. He was a genius to whom the Holy Spirit disclosed much. Yes, he was also profoundly fallible. A fact that he would readily admit. Gustav Wingren is something of a genius in his own right and his distillation of Luther's thoughts on vocation are a tremendous gift to the church. This book is astoundingly practical and divinely beautiful at once. It is a wonderful reminder that following Christ means incarnating his love with those we work and live with; in short - our neighbors! Yes, this requires dying to ourselves in service to a world that will largely crucify us. On this Bonhoeffer was surely right: "When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die."

My purpose for God discovered.

This presents a solid understanding of Luther's Theology of Vocation but it is dry reading.

Book was as new condition. Solid theology, a must read for a concise understanding of vocation.

This a marvellous book that quite thoroughly examines Luther's view on vocation, which is an often overlooked area in Luther's Theology - and one that has much for us in the 21st Century.This book was originally written in the 1950's and this English translation makes it available for those of us who don't speak German - and for that I am grateful.So often we fall into the trap of thinking that vocation (or calling) is something that just applies to Pastors and Missionaries. If God is going to issue a "call", then surely it would be to one of these "higher" roles in His Kingdom. This shows us that Luther's arguments from almost 500 years ago are still needed today! For example, the Baker, in his vocation, is called to be a good baker - to bake good and healthy bread, and make it available at a reasonable price - so that he enable his neighbour to purchase food, and that he can feed his own family. In doing his vocation well, the Baker shows forth God's love to his neighbour, as well as to his family. This is a just a "taste" of Luther's approach...I also liked that Wingren shows that Luther's argument went further than just Christianity - rather that God uses Vocation to "force" Society (both Governments and people) to love their neighbour. Whereas for us Christians, Vocation gives us a welcomed opportunity to better love our neighbour.The book also shows us that Vocation is bigger than a "job" - rather we have many vocations - such as parent, child, citizen, etc. And that to obey God, and do these things well, is honouring to him - as well as beneficial to us and to society! Talk about a Win-Win situation.So highly recommended!

Before the time of the reformation, entrance into the ministry was seen as a higher calling than that of the average man. The monk locked up in a cloister was more spiritual than the faithful baker. Ordination was referred to by some as a "second baptism." Luther's idea of vocation turned this idea on it's head.God calls us, not to leave this world but to be a part of this world and effect it in a positive way. Our faith goes up to heaven toward God, and by that faith we are justified in God's sight. Now that our relationship with God has been restored, we have the duty to live in love toward our neighbor. Through our vocation we serve our neighbor. This vocation could be preaching, baking, working in the government, or any number of things. Not one vocation is more spiritual than another. What is important is that the Christian is serving his neighbor through that vocation. Wingren does an excellent and extensive job overviewing Luther's writings to piece together a systematic explanation of one of the major theme's of his writings. Chapter long sections devoted to this topic in other books simply do not do Luther justice. To understand Luther, this book is a must read.

This is a great book, and an important contribution to the field of vocation and the Christian Life. Wingren, a scandanavian pastor and bishop, was a brilliant writer. Most of his other books are out of print, but this one continues to breathe new life into Luther studies.