Luther's Works, Volume 60 (Prefaces II / 1532 - 1545)

This volume contains Luther’s prefaces to the works of others from 1532 to 1545. Amid the outpouring of print in the wake of the Reformation, Luther—especially in the prefaces to his own works—sometimes expressed the wish that his own books might disappear and give place to the Bible alone. In his prefaces to the works of others, however, Luther developed the opposite rhetorical strategy, hailing their books as faithful guides to the Scriptures or as edifices that, because of their confession of Christ, would “surely stand secure on the Rock upon which they are built.”

Although Luther complained of the many “useless, harmful books” that the Gospel’s opponents flooded the world with, the multiplication of “good books” in print was a sign of God’s present blessing on the church in restoring the light of the Gospel.

Luther was pleased to encourage the works of faithful colleagues and friends. He wrote prefaces for many works that he declared superior to his own for their insights, style, and more refined approach. Luther was grateful for help in the shared work of Evangelical literary production in all its genres, in constructive work as well as in polemics. His prefaces give a broad survey of the Reformation’s literature.

The twenty planned new volumes are intended to reflect both modern and sixteenth-century interests and to expand the coverage of genres underrepresented in the existing volumes, such as Luther's sermons and disputations. The primary basis for the translation is the comprehensive Weimar edition.

 

“This new series should delight scholars as well as engage laity and clergy.”
- Mark U. Edwards, Jr., Academic Dean, Harvard Divinity School

 

“Provides a tremendous service to historians, theologians, pastors, and students.”
- Amy Nelson Burnett, Professor of History, University of Nebraska—Lincoln

 

“Edited according to the highest academic standards.”
- Robert Kolb, Emeritus Missions Professor of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis