THEOLOGY, HISTORY, and ETHICS
REFORMATION SPIRITUALITY The Unity of Theology and Practice in Luther and Calvin Dennis Ngien Foreword by Ronald K. Rittgers This book articulates the significance of the magisterial Reform- ers—specifically Luther and Calvin—for Christian spirituality today. Luther and Calvin have at times been misconstrued as theologians whose sole motivation was to criticize the Roman Church and create a new church. Though they showed audacity in identify- ing errors in the Church, says Dennis Ngien, their efforts were distinctly pastoral, aimed at the renewal of true piety informed by the saving knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. The Reformers help us understand what living by grace means in ecclesial, household, and sociopolitical arenas. Utilizing primary sources, Ngien explores how the Reformers understood Christian spirituality in light of the gospel and how Reformation theology speaks to the theme of the Christian life. Ngien frames the discussion within a creedal and trinitarian ap- proach to the narrative of salvation, highlighting the connection between the doctrine of God and the life of faith. He also shows the surprising affinities between the Lutheran and Reformed branches of Protestantism. FROM THE FOREWORD “The modern church needs the Magisterial Reformation! That is the central conviction of Dennis Ngien’s Reformation Spiritual- ity . As he writes, ‘The impetus behind this book comes from a common desire to allow the gospel to be heard again through the voices of the Magisterial Reformers, Luther and Calvin.’ Ngien wants the modern church to encounter the Reformation gospel afresh, especially in times of individual and corporate woe, when it can be difficult to believe in a God of grace and mercy. He argues that the deeply pastoral nature of the Reformers’ theology, along with its honesty about the presence of suffering in human life, makes it uniquely suited to help modern Christians find the gracious God of Scripture, who is frequently hidden under crosses and affliction.” —Ronald K. Rittgers
AUGUST 2022 • 304 pp. • paper • $26.99 • 9781540961211
Dennis Ngien (PhD, St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto) is the Alis- ter E. McGrath Chair of Christian Thought and Spirituality at Tyndale University. He has written many books, including Fruit for the Soul: Luther on the Lament Psalms and Luther’s Theology of the Cross: Christ in Luther’s Sermons on John .
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