The Impossible Prize

""'And other great shame and vice, ' this is how Luther designates the unfruitful works of darkness such as alcoholism, drug addiction and promiscuity when commenting on the Sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer, Lead us not into temptation. Here Luther identifies the root cause of such destructive behaviors with a spiritual malady, the greater shames and vices of false belief and despair. In The Impossible Prize Donavon Riley reflects on his own battle with addiction in light of Luther's Theology of the Cross and ""The Bondage of the Will. This book will be a great resource for pastors wanting to understand how Luther's doctrine can have concrete impact and healing for their people today. The gospel is the only true remedy. "" - Bror Erickson, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church ""Our secular age has come to see addiction as a psychological issue to be treated with therapeutic means. Donovan Riley goes deeper. As one who is well-acquainted with addictions but also anchored in Luther's theology, Riley brings to the table the Reformer's realistic and rich understanding of the bondage of sin, the continuing power of sin in the life of the believer, the theology of the cross, and potent promises of a God who does not forsaken His fallen creatures in despair. The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction pulsates with the hope that is found in Christ alone. This is a book of pastoral care that is unafraid to confront shame and defeat in the presence of God""- John T. Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN