No question has been as persistently nettling as the proper relationship of Christians and the Christian church to political power, and the results have often been calamitous. This classic collection of Christian statements on social ethics, now fully revised and augmented, provides a panoramic view of the 2000-year development of Christian concerns for political justice, peace, civil rights, family law, civil liberties, and other "worldly" issues. In readings that range from the Bible to church fathers to Bonhoeffer and Pope Benedict XVI, these substantial excerpts enable the student to see the flow of Christian thought and the deeper religious context for addressing today's most pressing problems.

Luther stands out as the defender of his understanding of the Christian faith in this volume. What he had said and written was attacked by leaders of the Roman Church and the Holy Roman Empire. Though friends and enemies sought to deflect him from his purpose, he remained steadfast so that what took place at the Diet of Worms has a become a watershed in the history of Christendom.

This new edition of a standard text describes lucidly and comprehensively the "classical Protestant faith" with the help of illustrations drawn from contemporary life. It does not assume previous knowledge yet does not avoid the more complex issues in Christian theology, such as the theories of the atonement or the doctrine of the trinity. In eight chapters the author explains, against many current misunderstandings, what Christians mean by faith. He describes the nature of revelation and the God who has revealed himself -- and what this means for an understanding of the world and the human condition in this world. This is followed by an explanation of the doctrine of Christ, his humanity and divinity, and his work on behalf of the human race. Professor Forell concludes with an explanation of the work of the Holy Spirit through the church by means of word and sacrament and details the Christian hope for the coming kingdom of God. The Protestant Faith has a valuable appendix which makes available the universal Christian creeds and confessional statements, and adds to its appeal as a text and reference manual.