if you want a great read that really goes into what luther did. and changed in and with religion at his time and what he and what he did can still do to religion, this is defiantly worth a read!
i found it fascinating how the author put it all together and a surprisingly easy read as well!

Original, published article (portuguese)

MARTINHO LUTERO NAS SUAS PRÓPRIAS PALAVRAS – JACK D. KILCREASE & ERWIN W. LUTZER

REFORMA: 500 ANOS

Este é um livro que abençoará o leitor, pela descoberta da coragem e convicção com que Lutero defendeu as suas ideias, mesmo que não partilhe do mesmo sentido teológico. Aqui ficaremos a conhecer os pilares da Reforma Protestante: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura e Sola Deo Gloria.

Os escritos e sermões do próprio Martinho Lutero, reunidos pelo Dr. Jack D. Kilcrease, que se dedicou a um exímio e minucioso trabalho de análise, tradução e exploração do seu profundo conteúdo.
Mas será que, passados cinco séculos, ainda faz sentido lermos e aprendermos sobre as doutrinas de Lutero? Erwin Lutzer, editor desta obra, é claro. Sejamos Católicos, Protestantes, ou livres de pensamento religioso, não nos podemos libertar facilmente da influência que perdura ainda no presente da nossa sociedade.
Lutero foi determinante numa transição para o Mundo Moderno, opondo-se à tradição política e religiosa com centenas de anos, semeando os fundamentos que prevalecem até hoje.
Através da doutrina da justificação pela fé, que ele redescobriu, as autoridades eclesiásticas viram-se ultrapassadas no domínio que exerciam sobre o povo, devido ao seu desconhecimento intelectual.
Numa conjugação de fatores, numa feliz coincidência, a invenção da prensa de Gutenberg, aliada à tradução da Bíblia, tornando-a acessível ao povo, possibilitou uma rápida difusão da fé luterana e do próprio Livro Sagrado.
Temos muito a preservar do seu legado, pois ele escreveu e pregou sobre temas que ainda hoje são atuais, como a relação Igreja/Estado, o casamento cristão, e a crescente ameaça islâmica sobre a Europa.
Riquíssimo o ensino que Lutero aqui nos transmite, desde as suas contraposições aos argumentos de Erasmo, o comentário a Gálatas ou à sua perspetiva perante o sofrimento de Jesus.

English translation:

MARTIN LUTHER IN HIS OWN WORDS

This is a book that will bless the reader, for discovering the courage and conviction as Luther defended his ideas, even still not sharing same theological sense. Here we come to know the pillars of the Protestant Reformation: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura e Sola Deo Gloria.

The writings and sermons of Martin Luther, reunited by Dr. Jack D. Kilcrease, who devoted himself to a thorough and detailed work of analyzing, translating and exploring his deep content.
But, after five centuries, makes sense read and learn about the doctrines of Luther? Erwin Lutzer, the editor of this book, is clear. Being Catholics, Protestants, ou free from religious thinking, we can not easily be freed from the influence that still lingers in the present of our society.
Luther was decisive in a transition to the Modern World, opposing to the religious and political tradition with hundreds of years, sowing the foundations that prevail until today.
Through the doctrine of justification by faith, which he rediscovered, church authorities became surpassed when controlling the people, due to their intelectual unknowledge.
In a combination of factors, a happy coincidence, the intention of Gutenberg's printing machine, allied to the translation of the Bible, turning it available to the people, enabled a fast difusion of de lutheran faith and the Holy Bible itself.
There is a lot to preserve from his legacy, as he wrote and preached about subjects still contemporary today, like the relationship between church and state, the hristian marriage, and the growing islamic menace over Europe.
Very rich the learning that Luther gives us here, from his opposition to the arguments of erasmus, the comentary of Galatians or his perspective on Jesus suffering.

First sentence: This is a book you will want to read more than once.

In the introduction, Lutzer writes:
We can neither forget Luther nor ignore him. Even today his writings still constitute a doctrinal divide that has shaped Western Christianity. He wrote and spoke on many topics, such as the relationship of the church and state, Christian marriage, and the growing menace of the Turks who were overrunning parts of Europe. But his greatest contribution had to do with the nature of salvation, the sinfulness of humanity, and the wonder of God’s grace.
Jack Kilcrease has written introductions (and footnotes) for each excerpt from Martin Luther's works.

The book is divided--rightly so--into five sections: "Sola Fide," "Sola Gratia," "Sola Scriptura," "Solus Christus," "Soli Deo Gloria." Each section contains a few selections from Luther's works. For example, "Sola Fide," features On Christian Liberty and an excerpt from Luther's Commentary on Galatians.

I really LOVED this one. It has been only recently that I've dared to read Martin Luther himself as opposed to just reading about Martin Luther. So far I've just read The Three Treatises. But this book made me want to read MORE…and more this year!

I would recommend this one to anyone looking to be introduced to Martin Luther or the Reformation.

Martin Luther in His Own Words

Essential Writings of the Reformation



by Jack D. Kilcrease and Erwin W. Lutzer, eds.

Baker Books

Christian

Pub Date 18 Apr 2017

I am reviewing Martin Luther in His Own Words through Baker Books and Netgalley:

The first selection of writings by Martin Luther (1520) in this book was Luther's Treastise On Liberty which was written in the wake of several significant events amongst them the Leipzig debate his excommunication by Pope Leo X and most likely his so called Reformation breakthrough.

In this selection Martin Luther says that a Christian is the free Lord to all and subject to none, but he also adds that a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all and subject to everyone. Like many of his other writings he goes on to talk about what it is to have faith, to understand that personal relationship with Jesus.

The next selection of writings in this book was Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians in 1531. The coomentary points out that Paul in the gospels reminded us that whatever isn't of God is sin. He reminds us too that God gave us a way to Salvation.

Sola Gratia was a preface to St. Paul's Letters to the Romans. In this preface to Romans Martin Luther encourages the reader to memorize the book of Romans because it is the gospel in its purest form.

In The Third Article of the Apostle's Creed Maartin Luther writes about the Holy Spirit, and the way he is crucial in a Christian's worship.

Sola Scriptura reminds us of the reasons Christians need to reject the Doctrine of Men, and follow the ways of God.

The Bondage of the Will are reminded that we need to bring the scripture throughout the world, so everyone can find the good news.

Soulus Christus reminds us that true Christians incorporate the life and name of Christ into their own lives.

The Second Article of the Apostle Creed talks about the second person of the God Head (Jesus) and how we as Christians need to build a personal relationship with Jesus.

In Commentary on Galatians this book points out that Hesus took on the weight of all our sins when he was crucified on the cross, carrying the weight of the sins of the world.

Soli Deo Gloriana in this writing Martin Luther points out that we learn there is only one God, and he goes on to talk about who God is.

In The Lord's Prayer Martin Luther breaks up The Lord's Prayer into Petition, explaining each segment.

I give Martin Luther In His Own Words five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.