The Annotated Luther, Volume 2: Word and Faith
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Volume 2 of The Annotated Luther series contains a number of the writings categorized under the theme: word and faith. Luther was particularly focused on what the word “does” in order to create and sustain faith. Writings in the volume range from the large works such as Bondage of the Will, Against the Heavenly Prophets, The Smalcald Articles, and the Large Catechism to Luther’s own Confession of Faith and treatments of Moses, the Gospels, and Two Kinds of Righteousness.
In the treatises in this volume, we hear Luther’s understanding of Scripture and theology as he continues his growth as teaching theologian, pastor, biblical exegete, and apologist for the faith.
Key Features
- Provides annotations and key background information for people, events, and theological issues during the Reformation
- Identifies Scripture references to which Luther alludes, but does not include, in his text
- Includes commentary from top Luther scholars
- Clarifies the historical setting with maps, illustrations, timelines, artwork, images, and photos
Contents
- Sermon on Two Kinds of Righteousness
- What to Look for in the Gospels
- Against the Heavenly Prophets in the Matter of Images and Sacraments
- How Christians Should Regard Moses
- Bondage of the Will
- Confession of Faith (from Confession of the Articles of Faith against the Enemy of the Gospel and All Kinds of Heresies)
- The Large Catechism
- The Smalcald Articles
Top Highlights
“Here, then, is something fundamentally necessary and salutary for a Christian, to know that God foreknows nothing contingently, but that God foresees and purposes and does58 all things by God’s own immutable, eternal, and infallible will. Here is a thunderbolt by which free choice is completely prostrated and shattered, so that those who want free choice asserted must either deny or explain away this thunderbolt, or get rid of it by some other means. However, before I establish this point by my own argument and the authority of Scripture, I will first deal with it in your words.” (Page 170)
“I admit, of course, that there are many texts in the Scriptures that are obscure and abstruse, not because of the majesty of their subject matter, but because of our ignorance of their vocabulary and grammar; but these texts in no way hinder a knowledge of all the subject matter of Scripture.” (Page 165)
“In the second place, I find something in Moses that I do not have from nature, namely, the promises and pledges of God about Christ.” (Page 143)
“This righteousness is the product of the righteousness of the first type, actually its fruit and consequence, for we read in Gal. 5[:22]: ‘But the fruit of the spirit [i.e., of a spiritual person, whose very existence depends on faith in Christ] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.’” (Pages 16–17)
“Then the soul no longer seeks to be righteous in and for itself, but it has Christ as its righteousness and therefore seeks only the welfare of others.” (Page 17)
Praise for the Print Edition
Professor Stjerna and her team of world-leading Reformation scholars have done us all a great service in fixing their eyes for detail and context onto these important writings of Luther. Those new to the Reformation saga and even those familiar with its events and debates will learn very much from these pages. By keeping readers honest to context when approaching Luther’s theology, they invite church and academy to remain honest about their own missions, failings, and need for reform. A splendid, and eminently useful, achievement.
—Derek R. Nelson, Wabash College
“This outstanding presentation of the core of Luther’s theology offers eight of his seminal works written over two decades, including those regarded by author as worthy of preserving for posterity. Magisterial introductions by internationally renowned theologians, editorial comments, artworks, prints, and proficient annotations bring forth the distinctiveness of the theology of the Wittenberg Reformer. Careful commentary of the translations adds to the uniqueness of the volume while all-embracing language highlights propriety. With this work, Luther studies have been aided with a consummate edition of the intellectual production of a supreme theological mind.”
—Vitor Westhelle, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
“Luther’s writings as contained in this fine collection are as helpful to read today as when he first wrote them to such a profound historical effect. They continue to be fertile for further theological reflection and biblical insight. Introductions and many marginal notes also explain items for better understanding–including those which criticize Luther, making this volume useful for instruction in church and classroom settings.”
—Peter Krey, pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, El Cerrito, California
About Kirsi I. Stjerna
Kirsi I. Stjerna is Synod Professor of Lutheran History and Theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of California and docent at the University of Helsinki. She is author or editor of several books including Women and the Reformation and co-editor with Brooks Schramm Martin Luther, the Bible, and the Jewish People.