Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation

Loved it!

What did you love best about Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation?

I really loved this audible. Learned so much about christanity and feel like I sat down and learned alot about Martin Luther from someone who knows him well. Never bored and I get bored easy.

What about Professor Phillip Cary’s performance did you like?

Perfomance was great! Very informative and Phillip Cary has alot of emotion involved in the story of Martin Luther. Very good

Any additional comments?

Recommend to all - Christians, Lutherans and non believers.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Great lecture! Excellent overview and review.

if you studying or just surveying the Reformation there's a wealth of information for any level of understanding presented in clear concise easy to follow lecture.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Painful but necessary; like eating your brocolli.

Would you try another book from The Great Courses and/or Professor Phillip Cary?

After listening to two of Prof. Cary's courses, I respect and appreciate his style, enthusiasm and knowledge of the material, though I cringe at his frequent usage of seemingly unconscious prompts of, "Right?" after making a point. Most speakers will let slip an occasional 'um,' 'uh,' or in this case, "Right?" but Cary uses the third early and often, which for me at least, proved detrimental to the course as a whole. For this reason alone, I don't think I could endure another of his courses.

What other book might you compare Luther: Gospel, Law, and Reformation to and why?

Not surprisingly, this course reminded me of the type of things I heard in Cary's "Augustine," course, which was often difficult to listen to as well because of all the, "we're unworthy...predestination...sin...heretic...Satan...hellfire and damnation types of messages from both Augustine and Luther. I feel both courses were similar to those classic books which so many find excruciating to read, yet will (at least one day) admit he or she is better for having done so. Cary's 'right?' usage aside, my primary lack of enthusiasm for each course is more "the message" than the messenger.

What three words best describe Professor Phillip Cary’s voice?

Passionate, occasionally playful

What else would you have wanted to know about The Great Courses’s life?

I don't understand this question. Whose life? Luther's or The Great Courses? If Luther, I would want to know how he could approach his life's mission with the idea of rooting out corruption in a corrupted institution (which was a good thing) but then end up spewing so much self-loathing and castigation of others to the extent that the 3rd Reich enthusiastically embraced his opinions and suggestions on how the Jews and their synagogues should be treated. What went wrong, Martin? What part of Jesus' teachings were you following here?

6 of 10 people found this review helpful

good sketch of Luther but don't stop here

the narration was good and energetic. he presents a fair portrait of Luther's good and bad qualities. He contrasts Luther against other reformers in doctrine, time, and place. The professor's allergy to the doctrine of election and predestination inhibited his ability to represent it fairly. instead he presents a straw man. nevertheless it's still a very helpful listen in setting up the thumbnail sketch of Luther and the reformation, particularly in preparation for later reading.

Excellent

This course explains a lot of what were confusing theological issues. The professor's enthusiasm for his subject is obvious. Great job!

<br />Want to know about Martin Luther?

Very through, enthusiastic presenter who makes complex subjects understandable! This series generated much discussion and thought!

We really enjoyed it.

Should be required

I was born a raised Lutheran, take classes at a Lutheran Seminary and I am extremely involved in the church. This lecture was phenomenal. I think this should be the next step after finishing he book of concord for laity. Professor Cary has an amazing ability like Luther to break down complex issues into simple to understand analogies! He has contagious enthusiasm and tell each point from all the angles to encourage the listener to make their own conclusions. He highlights the good and the bad of Luther. The last thing he does is he interjects his own views but explicitly tells you before he does that is his personal view.

Cary does a great job

I've listened to all but one of Cary's lecture series on audible and I have greatly enjoyed them all. They've really opened my mind to new old ways of thinking about my faith.

Great Lecture

I am in the process of becoming a member of the Lutheran Church and this course helped me to understand where Luther was coming from. Very informative and nicely presented.

good but why the applause?

I would have liked more direct quotes and less summarizations and paraphrasing. (But then I probably would not have understood it.) Great presentation and it held my interests.