The Ninety-Five Theses In Their Theological Significance (Warfield)

This new booklet is the second of a new series entitled SGCB Reformation 500 which will introduce vitally important works to the church and the world as we approach the 500th anniversary of Luther's act of naling the 95 Theses to the Church Door at Wittenburg.

In 1917, at the 400th anniversary of the Reformation, Benjamin B. Warfield wrote this outstanding article which appeared in The Princeton Theological Review. Once again Warfield found himself standing in opposition to the opinions of many in his day who were very critical of the 95 Theses of Luther. Warfield corrected one of these notions when he wrote: "The Theses constitute, in point of fact, a theological document of the first importance, working out a complete and closely knit argument against, not the abuses of the indulgence traffic, and not even the theory of indulgences, merely, but the whole sacerdotal conception of the saving process; an outgrowth and embodiment of which indulgences were."

Author

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (1887–1921) was professor of didactic and polemic theology in the Theological Seminary of Princeton, New Jersey. He was a pastor, biblical scholar, and eminent theologian. 

Endorsements

"Foundational documents are often more revered as sacred totems or set up as straw men to attack, than read, studied, and rightly understood on their own terms. Warfield shows that such has been the case with Luther's famous Ninety-five Theses. He sets out to show that far from addressing only one objectionable practice of the day, Luther's theses call in question 'the entire prevalent theory of the relation of the Church as the institute of the salvation of souls,' that is, the gospel or way of salvation as proclaimed by the pre-Reformation church. He goes on to show that those who underestimate the Theses as a theological statement are so wide of the mark as to suggest that they never read them. And as always, Warfield depends on erudition, clear-headed thinking, and a gracious yet forceful style. A 'must read' for those who want to know what the Reformation truly was in its beginnings." - Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids,

"B B Warfield was a remarkable Christian author, equally at home in Church History and systematic theology as biblical studies. He is remembered today primarily for his robust theology of biblical inerrancy, but there are many other reasons to remember him. In particular, in this quincentennial of the Reformation, Warfield's cogent reflections on theásignificance of the Reformation are important documents to read. Very glad to see these texts back in circulation!" - Dr. Michael Haykin, Professor of Church Histroy, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

"One of my sons is named after Benjamin Breckenridge Warfield, so you might guess that I love his stuff. Over the years and especially in my early years he became my teacher on many, many issues. Even on the rare occasion when I disagree with him, he remains so very helpful and informative. I welcome the publication of these works by Solid Ground." - Samuel Waldron