Review: Long Before Luther

As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, special focus returns to the questions on Protestant doctrine. How much different was it from the Catholic Church? Was a doctrinal split inevitable? In Nathan Busenitz's new book Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel from Christ to the Reformation (Moody Publishers, 2017), the author seeks to answer the oft-asked question: Where was the Gospel before the Reformation? Through a careful examination of the development of the doctrine of justification, Busenitz shows the beautiful flourish of justification throughout church history.

Augustine is used as the "turning point" in the book; with the doctrine of justification examined in pre-Augustinian and post-Augustinian theologies. This subject may turn away some; however, the chapters are very short and easy to read. With a dense bibliography and extensive use of primary sources, readers are able to trace Busenitz' logical argument for how justification was not a Reformation invention, but rather a relative rediscovery of a treasure lost in history.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

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