"Following up his masterful first volume, Steven D. Paulson continues in this excellent second volume to explore further theological themes in his own inimitable fashion. In this book, Paulson applies his insights from Luther's theology on a range of biblical figures, from Adam to Paul, with typical richness and insight."
Luther's Outlaw God, Volume 2: Hidden in the Cross
In this second of three volumes addressing Luther's outlaw God, Steven D. Paulson uses several biblical figures (Ezekiel, Jonah, Moses, David, and more) to illustrate Luther's understanding of law and gospel and what this means for preaching. Paulson shows that the challenge of all preaching is revealing God's actual grace without using the law at all. The gospel is what freed Luther from thinking of the world as split into two: an obscure world where law accuses and a magical world where the law blesses. With remarkable depth and clarity, Paulson explores the question: Where do we find a gracious God? For Luther, it was not in the law, but only in the publicly executed and hated God, Jesus Christ, hidden in the cross.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781506458533
- eBook ISBN 9781506458540
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 275
- Publication Date September 3, 2019
Endorsements
Mark Granquist, Luther Seminary
"This second volume in Paulson's well-constructed trilogy takes up God's hiddenness in Luther's theology. Like Luther himself, Paulson is not timid when it comes to the proclamation of a savior who hides himself in suffering that he might rescue the ungodly. Paulson offers a sustained polemic against all theologies ancient and modern that would attempt to tease God out of hiddenness so that seekers can accommodate God to their own notions of certainty. Paulson is both a Luther scholar and a systematic theologian who recognizes that his craft must serve preaching. Some will find his work provocative and others will be unsettled by his assertions (and Luther's), but those who read will be challenged to think more carefully about both the theological and pastoral tasks, which at the end of the day are one."
John T. Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
"Steven D. Paulson's lively style and insistent intelligence are on full display in the second volume of Luther's Outlaw God. Readers who appreciate theology based on exacting scriptural exegesis, and that not only talks 'about God' but 'for God,' will find much here to engage and delight them."
Carl P. E. Springer, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
"Who ever heard of such a thing? Starting a theology of God, not with some abstraction about God--but with the concrete, preached God! Not with some principle about the law, or about revelation, or about the doing of theology--but with the promise spoken aloud! Who ever heard such a thing? Too few people! Far too few. And that is Paulson's point. Here is theology for the preacher. For the one who grasps not for relevance or profundity, but for the promise to speak aloud to those dying in sin."
Rolf Jacobson, Luther Seminary
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Luther's Theologoumenon
2. Jonah, God's Worm
3. God against the gods
4. Adam's Fall and Cain's Failure
5. Paul at the Areopagus
6. Adam's First Sermon
7. Moses Sees Glory
8. David's Trial
9. New Cabala
Index