To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation, 1520: The Annotated Luther Study Edition
With great clarity and insight, James M. Estes illuminates Luther’s call to secular authorities to help with the reform of the church in this important 1520 treatise. Starting with the Ninety-Five Theses in 1517, Luther’s appeals for reform had been addressed to the ecclesiastical hierarchy, whose divinely imposed responsibility for such things he took for granted. By the early months of 1520, however, Luther had come to the conclusion that nothing could be expected from Rome but intransigent opposition to reform of any sort. It was only at this point that he began to write of the need for secular rulers to intervene with measures that would clear the way for ecclesiastical reform. Concerned that Christendom was going to ruin, Luther argued that with such an emergency looming, anyone who was able to do so should help in whatever way possible.
This volume is excerpted from The Annotated Luther series, Volume 1. Each volume in the series contains new introductions, annotations, illustrations, and notes to help shed light on Luther’s context and to interpret his writings for today. The translations of Luther’s writings include updates of Luther’s Works, American Edition, or new translations of Luther’s German or Latin writings.
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781506413495
- eBook ISBN 9781506413501
- Brand Annotated Luther
- Dimensions 7.5 x 9.25
- Pages 112
- Publication Date June 1, 2016
Endorsements
"This fine volume provides fresh translations of a dozen core Luther texts from the period 1517–1520. Public statements, sermons, major treatises, and letters that were previously scattered widely across five different volumes of the American Edition of Luther’s Works (plus the welcome addition of the lesser-known Sermon on Indulgences and Grace, which does not appear in LW) are brought together in a focused way so that the reader sees Luther's theology develop in a more holistic manner, reflecting his work as a university professor, preacher, and church reformer. The introductions to the volume and to the individual writings combine historical context and theological themes in a thorough yet accessible manner; the annotations are both helpful and (unlike many academic notes) inviting to the eye. Wengert and his colleagues have produced a valuable text for classroom use and personal study. This is an excellent start to what promises to be a fine series."
Kathryn A. Kleinhans
Wartburg College
"The advent of The Annotated Luther series should be cause for celebration among scholars, pastors, students, and others eager to have easy access to so many of Martin Luther’s key writings. If the appealing layout, rich images, and erudite editorials featured in Volume 1 are an indication of what’s to come, then The Annotated Luther will quickly become the go-to resource for learning about Luther’s work and context."
Hans Wiersma
Augsburg College
Series endorsements
"This exciting Annotated Luther series from Fortress Press comes out at a very important moment. Lutherans worldwide anticipate the commemoration of five hundred years of the reformation in 2017. I just came from a conference of Asian Lutheran theologians where various Luther reception processes have been established to cater for Sunday school children to seminary professors. In many parts of the global south where the churches are growing, there is growing desire to encounter the reformer in as direct ways as is possible. The Annotated Luther series will facilitate easy access to Luther, especially for those who could not do so in the German or Latin. This will be a great resource likely to be translated into many vernacular languages."
Kenneth Mtata
The Lutheran World Federation
"The Annotated Luther series represents a finely crafted synthesis between readable primary texts and some of the best secondary scholarship. A superb editorial team, under the leadership of Hillerbrand, Stjerna, and Wengert, has made seventy-five selections, ranging from major treatises to sermons and letters, and beautifully laid these out in six volumes, together with state-of-the-art analyses and explanatory notes. Luther the theologian, the biblical interpreter, the pastor, the social/political thinker—all are given their due, and the resulting multidimensional portrait combines balance with a newly sharpened focus. In sum, a signal achievement."
Denis R. Janz
Loyola University New Orleans
"The Annotated Luther series provides a very welcome resource for meeting Luther again in the contemporary world. With language refreshed for our time, we can see more clearly Luther as a man who is actively grappling with a society undergoing dramatic challenges economically, religiously, and socially. By providing skilled commentary from scholars around the world and from diverse theological perspectives, this work will be of great help for modern Christians seeking to adapt and extend the insights from the Reformation to modern challenges."
Maria E. Erling
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
"As no other comparable series, The Annotated Luther provides the reader, whether lay or ordained, with a collection of the Wittenberg reformer's most important writings that is at once learned and highly accessible. Here Luther's works are presented in up-to-date translation with helpful introductions, explanatory notes, and engaging images. A must for the student and scholar of Luther alike!"
Ronald K. Rittgers
Valparaiso University
Kathryn A. Kleinhans
Wartburg College
"The advent of The Annotated Luther series should be cause for celebration among scholars, pastors, students, and others eager to have easy access to so many of Martin Luther’s key writings. If the appealing layout, rich images, and erudite editorials featured in Volume 1 are an indication of what’s to come, then The Annotated Luther will quickly become the go-to resource for learning about Luther’s work and context."
Hans Wiersma
Augsburg College
Series endorsements
"This exciting Annotated Luther series from Fortress Press comes out at a very important moment. Lutherans worldwide anticipate the commemoration of five hundred years of the reformation in 2017. I just came from a conference of Asian Lutheran theologians where various Luther reception processes have been established to cater for Sunday school children to seminary professors. In many parts of the global south where the churches are growing, there is growing desire to encounter the reformer in as direct ways as is possible. The Annotated Luther series will facilitate easy access to Luther, especially for those who could not do so in the German or Latin. This will be a great resource likely to be translated into many vernacular languages."
Kenneth Mtata
The Lutheran World Federation
"The Annotated Luther series represents a finely crafted synthesis between readable primary texts and some of the best secondary scholarship. A superb editorial team, under the leadership of Hillerbrand, Stjerna, and Wengert, has made seventy-five selections, ranging from major treatises to sermons and letters, and beautifully laid these out in six volumes, together with state-of-the-art analyses and explanatory notes. Luther the theologian, the biblical interpreter, the pastor, the social/political thinker—all are given their due, and the resulting multidimensional portrait combines balance with a newly sharpened focus. In sum, a signal achievement."
Denis R. Janz
Loyola University New Orleans
"The Annotated Luther series provides a very welcome resource for meeting Luther again in the contemporary world. With language refreshed for our time, we can see more clearly Luther as a man who is actively grappling with a society undergoing dramatic challenges economically, religiously, and socially. By providing skilled commentary from scholars around the world and from diverse theological perspectives, this work will be of great help for modern Christians seeking to adapt and extend the insights from the Reformation to modern challenges."
Maria E. Erling
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
"As no other comparable series, The Annotated Luther provides the reader, whether lay or ordained, with a collection of the Wittenberg reformer's most important writings that is at once learned and highly accessible. Here Luther's works are presented in up-to-date translation with helpful introductions, explanatory notes, and engaging images. A must for the student and scholar of Luther alike!"
Ronald K. Rittgers
Valparaiso University