""For Martin Bucer the doctrine of justification through faith and love of neighbor was a fundamental of Christian faith. Brian Lugioyo argues that Bucer's understanding of this doctrine was not the result of a m̀ediating theology,' as commonly believed, but had its own distinctive characteristics. By analyzing Bucer's commentary on Romans, and his articles on justification in the Interconfessional Colloquies of 1539-41, Lugioyo sheds new light on Bucer and the confessional unionism of the period. This is a major contribution to a renewal of Bucer studies."---Irena Backus, Professor of Reformation History, University of Geneva

"In his fine analysis of the theology of Martin Bucer, Brian Lugioyo offers a fresh look at this reformer, demonstrating that Bucer's thought is of an impressive originality and consistency. The book locates justification at the center of Bucer's theology, and this, combined with his irenical attitude, proves that Bucer is more relevant than ever."---Herman Selderhuis, Director of Refo500 and Research Curator of the Johannes a Lasco Library

"With great skill and clarity, the author describes how the Protestant teaching of justification takes shape in Martin Bucer's commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans. He proves convincingly that during the religious talks with Roman Catholic theologians, the Strasbourg reformer did not depart from this core Protestant principle, which was central to his own theology as well. This book presents a significant contribution to the scholarship on Martin Bucer."---Martin Greschat, author of Philipp Melanchthon: Theologe, Padagoge und Humanist

Martin Bucer has usually been portrayed as a diplomat who attempted to reconcile divergent theological views, sometimes at any cost, or as a pragmatic pastor who was more concerned with ethics than theology. These representations have led to the view that Bucer was a theological lightweight, rightly placed in the shadow of Luther and Calvin. This book makes a different argument.

Bucer was an ecclesial diplomat and a pragmatic pastor, yet his ecclesial and practical approaches to reforming the Church were guided by coherent theological convictions. Central to his theology was his understanding of the doctrine of justification, an understanding that Brian Lugioyo argues has an integrity of its own, though it has been imprecisely represented as intentionally conciliatory. It was this solid doctrine that guided Bucer's irenicism and acted as a foundation for his entrance into discussions with Catholics between 1539 and 1541. Lugioyo demonstrates that Bucer was consistent in his approach and did not sacrifice his theological convictions for ecclesial expediency. Indeed his understanding was an accepted evangelical perspective on justification, one to be commended along with those of Luther and Calvin."--BOOK JACKET.