Grace and Gift: An Analysis of a Central Motif in Martin Luther’s Rationis Latomianae Confutatio

The aim of this book is to impart closer knowledge of Martin Luther’s theology of grace by an in-depth historical study of his book from 1521 against the scholastic theologian Jacobus Latomus. In this book the Reformer unfolds his understanding of the biblical doctrine of grace by applying two central theological concepts: gratia and donum. Gratia is God’s undeserved and merciful compassion and favour towards man. Donum is God’s gift that includes faith in Jesus Christ and the Christian’s new righteousness by faith in him. Luther maintains that there are both an important distinction and an intimate connection between these concepts. This is the case upwards in relation to God as well as downwards in confrontation with sin and outwards in the Christian’s new life in the world. In the author’s view Luther’s exposition of this theme is not only historically interesting, but still theologically and ethically relevant even today.