Luther’s Works, Volume 35
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
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.
Top Highlights
“This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too much; for the more we deal with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.” (Volume 35, Page 365)
“For the preaching of the gospel is nothing else than Christ coming to us, or we being brought to him.” (Volume 35, Page 121)
“The Psalter ought to be a precious and beloved book, if for no other reason than this: it promises Christ’s death and resurrection so clearly—and pictures his kingdom and the condition and nature of all Christendom—that it might well be called a little Bible. In it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible. It is really a fine enchiridion or handbook. In fact, I have a notion that the Holy Spirit wanted to take the trouble himself to compile a short Bible and book of examples of all Christendom or all saints, so that anyone who could not read the whole Bible would here have anyway almost an entire summary of it, comprised in one little book.” (Volume 35, Page 254)
“In a word St. John’s Gospel and his first epistle, St. Paul’s epistles, especially Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, and St. Peter’s first epistle are the books that show you Christ and teach you all that is necessary and salvatory for you to know, even if you were never to see or hear any other book or doctrine. Therefore St. James’ epistle is really an epistle of straw,11 compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it. But more of this in the other prefaces.” (Volume 35, Page 362)
- Title: Luther’s Works, Volume 35
- Authors: Martin Luther, Jaroslav Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, Helmut T. Lehmann
- Series: Luther’s Works
- Publisher: Fortress Press
- Print Publication Date: 1960
- Logos Release Date: 2001
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc.--History; Lutheran Church; Theology › Early works to 1800
- Resource ID: LLS:42.110.135
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-10-21T20:12:08Z
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
8/13/2019
This is a good volume that covers many things. We start out with some early sermons of Luther's on the Sacraments - including when he still say penance as a sacrament. Then we get into quite a collection of works that cover the birth of modern hermeneutics - looking at how we are to interpret and wrestle with the Bible given that it is the Holy Word of God. Whilst Luther has a very high view of Scripture, he is quite adamant that it is to be read through the eyes of the Cross and Resurrection. We also have the wonderful prefaces from the various books of the Bible, that he wrote - including for the Apocrypha. I know many a Christian congregation that would be horrified to see some of the things that Luther questions. But he wasn't afraid to wrestle with Scripture - always interpreting Scripture with Scripture. As well as listening to tradition but not being a slave to it. We still have much to learn from the Reformers... I also find it fascinating that even with his doubts and questions about Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation that he still translated them into German and included them. I think we often overlook that whilst Luther had strong views, he also realised he could be wrong - and we often need to look at his actions, not just his words.