Luther’s Augustinian Theology of the Cross: The Augustinianism of Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation and the Origins of Modern Philosophy of Religion

"These theological paradoxes ... have been deduced well or poorly from St. Paul, the especially chosen vessel and instrument of Christ, and also from St. Augustine, his most trustworthy interpreter." These are some of Martin Luther's words that introduce hs Heidelberg Disputation (1518), a collection of doctrinal theses that serves as a manifesto of Luther's theology. The German Reformer claimed that his theses were a faithful exposition not only of Pauline theology, but also of Augustine's doctrine of salvation.

Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross is an unprecedented commentary of Luther's Heidelberg Disputation. Through a wide range of Augustinian texts, the author shows the accuracy of Luther's claim. Moreover, the work offers some original considerations that are of interest to both theology and philosophy.

In the year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this volume is a lively and stimulating addition to the debate about the relationship between Augustine's soteriology and the theology of the Reformation.

"Recent work on the reformation has emphasized the extent to which the legacy of medieval Catholicism was positively, if critically, received within the emerging protestant churches. Marco Barone's important study argues that Luther drew upon Augustine's work on soteriology to construct a critique of philosophical systems that emphasized epistemological and ethical autonomy. Barone extends this critique in fresh readings of Kant and Leibniz. Barone's conclusions may be provocative, but they deserve careful consideration by scholars across disciplines with interests in the relationship between early modern theology and philosophy."
--Crawford Gribben, Queen's University, Belfast, author of John Owen and English Puritanism: Experiences of Defeat

"Marco Barone in this book provides us with a fascinating study of Luther's anti-Pelagian (i.e., Augustinian) convictions. Then he tests his thesis by looking at and comparing and contrasting Luther's perspective with certain prevalent philosophical views. This is work of a high caliber and tremendously fruitful for faithful confessional orthodox constructive theology." 
--Jeffrey C. Waddington, Knox Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Lansdowne, Pennsylvania

"Barone's book is a superb and convincing treatment of a grand subject: the faithfulness of Martin Luther to the theology of Augustine in proclaiming a radical gospel of grace, founded on what Luther called 'the theology of the cross,' in contrast to the heretical 'theology of glory.'"
--David J. Engelsma, from the foreword

Marco Barone is a doctoral candidate in philosophy. He writes on his blog, philosophyofthecross.blogspot.com