The Bondage of the Will

By: Martin Luther

Narrated by: John Williams

The Bondage of the Will was published in 1525 as a rebuttal to Desiderius Erasmus. The piece is known as one of the first discussions on free will and predestination during the Reformation.

©220 Woodkeep Audio (P)2020 Woodkeep Audio

Classic work of Reformation literature

Bondage of the Will is Luther's best-known work, for good reason. Combining sound exegesis with Luther's acerbic and pointed wit, this classic exposition of monergism versus synergism is a great starting text for anyone interested in the foundation of the greatest religious schism of the western world.

That said, the narration leaves much to be desired. The narrator seems unfamiliar with the text, as well as common pronunciation and emphases in British English - pronouncing "trope" as "troupe" (only to correct himself several minutes later), switching back and forth with common double letter conventions (eg, "ecclesiology" became "eh-sleez-iology" at one point), and other unusual pronunciations, made it sound like the book was being read by a non-native speaker who learned by reading. Not a deal breaker, but did present some listening speed bumps to the overall enjoyment of the book.