Luther's Works

Series · 36

books · 1535-1983

By Eric W. Gritsch, Martin Luther, Heinrich J. Vogel, and more

Books in series

Lectures on Genesis

Chapters 1-5

1752

Luther-s Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther-s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. The Reformer-s lectures on the First Book of Moses must be numbered among the great works in the field of exegetical writing. Unlike many scholars who have undertaken to expound Genesis, Luther is not afraid to adhere strictly to the letter of what Moses wrote. He does not indulge in wild allegories. He does not tear words or sentences out of their context. He knows that Genesis is the Word of God. Therefore he approaches the book with awe and reverence. His is a genuinely Christian commentary. This volume discusses Genesis 1-5, including the Creation, the Fall, the First Brothers, and the line of Adam.

Lectures on Genesis

1960

Luther-s Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther-s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. Luther-s Lectures on Genesis is a great classic in the filed of theological literature. These dicourses are clear, vigorous, pertinent, and comprehensive. They reveal vast learning as well as extraordinary ability to expound Scripture in a manner that is intelligible to everyone. Regarding style and method, Luther himself states that in his youth he was -enchanted- by allegories. Consequently, he sometimes resorts to allegorical interpretations when he expounds the Book of Genesis, though always in a manner that is -comformable to the faith.- Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 6-14 deal with the Flood, with Noah and his descendants, with the Tower of Babel, and with Abram and Lot up to the time of Abram-s vision and the promise of the Seed.

Lectures on Genesis

Chapters 15-20

1961

Thoroughly researched and faithfully translated, the Luther's Works series consists of Martin Luther's Bible commentaries, sermons, prefaces, postils, disputations, letters, theology, and polemics, translated and published in English for the first time. Luther's Works, Volume 3 (Lectures on Genesis Chapters 15-20) discusses Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, Lot, and others.

Lectures on Genesis

Chapters 21-25

1964

Luther-s The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther-s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. In this volume, Luther ends his biography of Abraham (begun in Volume 2) and begins his focus on the later patriarchal narratives. Written, it is believed, during an outbreak of the plague in 1539, this section of the Genesis lectures (Genesis 21-25) includes Luther-s moving study of the Abraham and Isaac story in which he compares Isaac-s obedience to that of Christ.

Lectures on Genesis

Chapters 31-37

1969

Thoroughly researched and faithfully translated, the Luther's Works series consists of Martin Luther's Bible commentaries, sermons, prefaces, postils, disputations, letters, theology, and polemics, translated and published in English for the first time. In Luther's Works, Volume 6 (Lectures on Genesis Chapters 31-37), the subject is the mature child of God in the school of adversity.

Lectures on Genesis

Chapters 38-44

1964

A monumental resource, now available electronically The 55-volume set of Luther’s Works, a monumental translation project published jointly by Fortress Press and Concordia Publishing House in 1957, is singular in its value to church historians, Luther scholars, and Christians. The message of Martin Luther’s faith has never spoken more clearly and more comprehensively than here, and now that the entire set is available on CD-ROM, his message will never speak more freely. This truly exquisite offering will put the entire Luther corpus at the command of a few keystrokes and provide the reader with a Luther resource unrivaled in accessibility and convenience. Luther’s Works on CD-ROM is indispensable for studies of Luther and invaluable for preachers. The first thirty volumes contain Luther’s expositions of various biblical books, while remaining volumes include his Reformation writings and occasional pieces. The final volume of the set contains an index of quotations, proper names, and topics, and a list of corrections and changes. The CD-ROM will also contain a glossary of many of the technical terms that recur in Luther’s works and links to every biblical reference.

Lectures on Deuteronomy

1960

Luther’s Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther’s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. Luther did not agree with the view of many Bible scholars who considered the five books of Moses to be of small value. He saw them as a wellspring of all-important knowledge and understanding. Far from seeing the Book of Deuteronomy as a list of dry laws that had little to do with faith, Luther's Lectures on Deuteronomy was an effort to apply the Deuteronomic interpretation of the Mosaic Law and covenant to both the flesh and the spirit.

#11

Lectures on the Psalms II

Chapters 76-126

1976

#12

Selected Psalms I

1968

#13

Selected Psalms II

1956

Luther's The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. From Luther's thorough-going expositions of Psalms 68, 82, 90, 101, 110, 111, and 112 it is evident at once that the Reformer had a keen insight into secular and ecclesiastical affairs as they existed in his time. But it is no less apparent that his understanding and his statements had a prophetic quality a quality which, among other characteristics, makes his commentaries altogether timeless in their significance. ''The commentaries in the present volume,'' writes editor Jaroslav Pelikan, ''like those in Volume 12, are derived principally from Luther's classroom and from his pulpit; but they do not all owe their origin to his activity as a professor and a preacher. This collection of commentaries also provides some insight into Luther's work as an author.'' From explication of the religious and moral life of his day to the elucidation of differences between Jewish and Protestant interpretations of Psalm 111, Luther's literary breadth and depth provide the reader with an unrivaled uniqueness of commentary on these Psalms.

#14

Selected Psalms III

1958

The commentaries contained in this volume show conclusively that Luther achieved great things in the field of Biblical scholarship. Luther's language is simple and always to the point. He curries to no one's favor as he goes to the heart of the sixteen psalms expounded in this volume. His attention to the texts is "personal, devotional, political, exegetical, polemical—all at the same time," writes Jaroslav Pelikan. His commentaries contain many references and allusions to errors and false practices prevalent in his time, but after the lapse of more than four centuries the commentaries still have the quality of timelessness. Both clergy and laity will profit much—spiritually as well as intellectually—from Luther's incisive and straightforward words. This third volume contains lectures on selected Psalms.

#15

Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and the Last Words of David

1971

A monumental resource, now available electronically The 55-volume set of Luther's Works, a monumental translation project published jointly by Fortress Press and Concordia Publishing House in 1957, is singular in its value to church historians, Luther scholars, and Christians. The message of Martin Luther's faith has never spoken more clearly and more comprehensively than here, and now that the entire set is available on CD-ROM, his message will never speak more freely. This truly exquisite offering will put the entire Luther corpus at the command of a few keystrokes and provide the reader with a Luther resource unrivaled in accessibility and convenience. Luther's Works on CD-ROM is indispensable for studies of Luther and invaluable for preachers. The first thirty volumes contain Luther's expositions of various biblical books, while remaining volumes include his Reformation writings and occasional pieces. The final volume of the set contains an index of quotations, proper names, and topics, and a list of corrections and changes. The CD-ROM will also contain a glossary of many of the technical terms that recur in Luther's works and links to every biblical reference.

#17

Lectures on Isaiah

Chapters 40-66

1971

#20

Lectures on the Minor Prophets III

1973

Luther's The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. The year 1525 was perhaps one of the most tumultuous for Luther and his Reformation. It was the year of the break between Luther and a number of forces heretofore presumed to be on his side. The ultra-radical reformers alienated the lower classes from the Lutheran Reformation with the charge that Luther was only a halfway reformer. Luther responded with Against the Heavenly Prophets. In May Luther tried to avert a peasant uprising by an appeal both to the princes and to the peasants. But the Peasant Revolt broke out nevertheless, and Luther responded with Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants. 1525 was also the year when world famous scholar Erasmus declared himself against Luther, provoking him into responding with On the Bondage of the Will. This, plus the death of friends, his protector prince, and rumor of an assassin coming for Luther from Poland, was still not enough to prevent Luther from continuing his lectures on the minor prophets. This volume demonstrates Luther's perseverance and triumph against all odds. Luther's commentary on Zechariah points to Zechariah as ''an outstanding model'' in comforting people not to despair when the promises of Christ's kingdom do not seem to come true. This comfort is for all time.

#22

Luther's Works, Volume 22

1957

Luther s Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. The fifty-three sermons contained in this volume show that Luther was one of the most eloquent preachers since the days of Christ. The Reformer warns his hearers against perversions of Scripture. He speaks boldly and bluntly against sins rampant in his day and sins that will afflict mankind until the end of time. He wields the sword of the Spirit without fear and with telling effectiveness. His mastery of language is evident on every page. These sermons are models in every respect. When reading them in the translation my Martin H. Bertram, one can share the admiration and the edification that must have been felt by the men, women, and children who sat in the pews of the church in Wittenberg and listened intently while the mighty Luther addressed them.

#25

Lectures on Romans, Glosses and Schoilia

1972

Luther s The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. When Luther was prevailed upon to write a preface to the projected complete edition of his Latin writings in 1545, about a year before his death, he took the opportunity to review the high points of his career to show that he really never had the time and talent to produce literature worth preserving, that in publishing these works he was now merely yielding to his friends' argument that his works would be published in any case, if not with his cooperation, then possibly by men who had no real understanding of them. That was one thing. But in that preface Luther also implored the reader of his Latin writings "for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself to read those things judiciously, yes, with great commiseration". With Luther's lectures on the Epistle to the Romans he had a splendid opportunity to share with his students the great find of his life, "that place in Paul which was for me truly the gate of Paradise." Also available as an eBook (ePub)

#26

Lectures on Galatians

Chapters 1-4

1535

Luther s The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. Just as St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian freedom, so the Lectures on Galatians delivered by Martin Luther in 1531 and published for the first time in 1535 have been hailed as the great Reformer's Magna Carta of Christian liberty. In Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners John Bunyan (1628-88), who was languishing in jail, told how a long time before this "the God, in whose hands are all days and ways, did cast into my hand, one day, a book of Martin Luther; it was his comment on the Galatians...this, methinks, I must let fall before all men, I do prefer this book of Martin Luther upon the Galatians, excepting the Holy Bible, before all books that ever I have seen, as most fit for a wounded conscience." Luther treasured St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. Luther's Lectures on the Galatians, like Paul's letters, contain many distinctively autobiographical statements. In more than one respect these two men of God were kindred spirits. Both inveighed sharply and vigorously against their adversaries, but they also never lost sight of the Christian love that permeates the words of those who bring God's message of salvation to their fellow men.

#27

Luther's Works Lectures on Galatians/Chapters 5-6 Chapters 1-6

1964

has dust jacket. looks great! highlighting and writing on only 16 pages. 2 bent pages in index.

#28

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7, 1 Corinthians 15, Lectures on 1 Timothy (Luther's Works, Vol. 28) (Luther's Works

1973

Luther's The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther's works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. This volume offers three short commentaries on Pauline Epistles that were written with a particular purpose and called for by a specific need. The commentary on 1 Corinthians 7 must have been a study item for Luther himself, for in it he gives himself the opportunity to come to grips with the whole matter of celibacy versus marriage. The second item is an extended series of sermons on 1 Corinthians 15, the great chapter on the resurrection. These sermons were delivered by Luther in a time of great physical weakness, and there can be little doubt that the consciousness of personal weakness contributed much toward the desire to study and proclaim the message of 1 Corinthians 15 in depth. To this we add Luther's lectures on 1 Timothy, one of those shorter series of lectures undertaken when most of the University of Wittenberg had moved to Jena to escape the plague. Yet the subject here is not sickness or death, but the office of a bishop, or pastor, and how to administer it in faithfulness to the Gospel.

#29

Lectures on Titus, Philemon, Hebrews

1968

Luther-s Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther-s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. These two lectures were given about a decade apart. The first in point of time, the Hebrews lectures, were delivered in the "Theses" year, 1517. Luther was finishing his lectures on Hebrews when he was summoned to Heidelberg to attend a convention of the German Augustinians order in April 1518. Presumably the Augustinians were to settle the controversy precipitated by Luther in the Ninety-five Theses, but instead of receiving a rebuke, Luther gained a new following at Heidelberg, especially among the younger theologians. The lectures on Titus and Philemon were given ten years later, when controversy and polemics had become a necessary part of Luther's daily routine. Then too, Luther's commentary shows him to be most deeply concerned about imitating his favorite apostle in preaching effectively and relevantly.

#31

Luther's Works, Volume 31

Career of the Reformer I

1957

The young Luther emerges in this volume in his role of reformer. We follow him through his early years of clarifying his evangelical doctrines and relive with him the stirring events that were to influence the fate of Germany, all of Europe, and eventually the whole world.

#32

Luther's Works, Volume 32

Career of the Reformer II

1958

Luther stands out as the defender of his understanding of the Christian faith in this volume. What he had said and written was attacked by leaders of the Roman Church and the Holy Roman Empire. Though friends and enemies sought to deflect him from his purpose, he remained steadfast so that what took place at the Diet of Worms has a become a watershed in the history of Christendom.

#33

Luther's Works

Career of the Reformer III

1957

On the Bondage of the Will was considered by Luther himself as one of his best writings. This particular treatise is a reply to Erasmus' work On the Freedom of the Will. Students of Luther and the Reformation period will welcome the helpful footnotes and many excerpts from Erasmus' writings that accompany On the Bondage of the Will.

#34

Luther's Works vol. 34, Career of the Reformer IV

1536

Included in this volume therefore are four of the debates or disputations held in Wittenberg University between 1535 and 1542. Thirteen of the fourteen treatises appear in their entirety in an English translation for the first time with publication of this volume.

#35

Luther's Works, Volume 35

Word and Sacrament I

1960

The writings in this first of four volumes of Luther's Works on Word and Sacrament are for the most part from a fifteen year span- from the year of the Leipzig Debate to the publication of Luther's German Bible. All twelve are translated either for the first time or in revised form by the editor.

#36

Luther's Works, Vol. 36

Word and Sacrament II

1959

Six major movements of the resultant symphony are included in this volume, all dealing with the doctrine of the Lord's Supper. In addition to providing observations on vows, sin, celibacy, sainthood, and spirits, Luther expresses his views concerning authority in the church, the place of Scripture, and the merits and limitations of a "Lutheran" confession.

#37

Luther's Works, Volume 37

1976

This volume contains Luther's most extensive exposition of his understanding of the Lord's Supper. Directed against the more radical representatives of the sixteenth century reformation movement, this exposition is contained in the two major treatises appearing in an English translation in this volume. The translation and the wealth of historical commentary provided in this volume is a good starting point for a reassessment of the reformation contribution to our understanding of the Lord's Supper.

#39

Luther's Works

Church and Ministry I

1970

This volume includes two writings dealing with the plight of the common person who Luther felt had become a victim of the ecclesiastical establishment. These are followed by treatises taken from Luther's literary feud with three staunch supporters of Rome: Augustine Alveld, Jerome Emser \[the "Leipzig goat"\], and Albrecht of Mainz. The final treatise contains Luther's argument for congregational authority.

#42

Luther's Works, Volume 42

Devotional Writings I

1969

The seven pastoral writings presented in this volume are notable for their lack of polemic. Although his very life was literally at stake, Luther does not allude to his own situation, but subdues himself to the message with which he was committed.

#44

The Christian in Society, Vol. I

1966

During the interval between the Leipzig Debate in 1519 and the dramatic, decisive Diet of Worms in 1521, Luther faced a wide array of major problems. He was forced to defend the emerging Reformation against its secular and ecclesiastical enemies and to clarify his own position. At the same time he had to address himself to a host of friends, supporters, and sympathizers who were apprehensive about where Luther's theology was leading. It was during this critical period that the writings contained in this volume were written.

#45

The Christian in Society, Vol. II

1962

In the eleven treatises comprising this volume, it is of extraordinary interest to note how the foremost exponent of evangelical ethics interprets the dictates of love in the concrete circumstances of his time. A Christian's behavior is determined more by the situation in which he finds himself than by any fixed and final ethical formulations or codes of moral conduct.

#49

Letters, Vol. II

1972

For Martin Luther, the period stretching from March 1522 to October of 1530 marked a time of tremendous change-ecclesiastical, political, and personal. Through the 117 letters presented here, the reader is given a well-rounded look at shaping forces and milieu of Luther's life and of the enire Reformation. Each letter in this volume, given in its entirety, unveils important aspects of Luther's complex personality. Historical introductions explain clearly the political and religious background of each letter.

#52

Luther's Works

Sermons II

1974

This volume includes selections from the Christmas Postil, specifically sermons on the Gospel lessons for Christmas Eve, the Early Christmas Service, St. Stephen's Day, the Sunday after Christmas, New Year's Day, and the Festival of the Epiphany.

#54

The Table Talk of Martin Luther

1967

"The Bible is alive," declared Martin Luther, "it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me." The Protestant Reformation's most prominent leader possessed a gift for evocative speech, and he was as articulate and outspoken in private as he was in public. Fortunately for posterity, some of Luther's loyal followers took note of his informal speeches. The Table Talk of Martin Luther consists of excerpts from the great reformer's conversations with his students and colleagues, in which he comments on life, the church, and the Bible. Collected by Antony Lauterbach and John Aurifaber, Luther's close associates, these absorbing anecdotes reveal the speaker's personality and wisdom. An informative introduction by editor Thomas S. Kepler describes the circumstances under which this book came into existence and the remarkable story of its initial translation into English. This text is based on the acclaimed English translation by the literary critic and essayist William Hazlitt.

#67

Vogel's Cross Reference to Luther's Works

1983

Most references to Luther's works in scholarly writing are made to either the Weimar edition, the St. Louis edition, or the Erlangen edition. Readers of Luther s American Edition, which is a selection of Luther's works, often ask whether a given reference to the Weimar, St. Louis, or Erlangen editions is included in the American edition. This cross reference facilitates finding such references in volumes 1 54 of Luther s American Edition. Scholars, pastors, and students of Luther have relied on Vogel's Cross Reference for 25 years. No other resource enables one to locate the original German and Latin for Luther's Works American Edition (vols. 1 54).

#69

Vogel's Cross Reference and Index to the Contents of Luther's Works

A Cross Reference Between the American Edition and the St. Louis, Weimar, and

1983

Authors

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, university professor and church reformer whose ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization. Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church. Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented. His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism. Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.