Luther's Works (55 vols.)

Milkman

I'm thinking of getting these however ...

http://www.logos.com/product/15485/luthers-works

Are the translations in "modern" language or dated. AND
If you have them, what do you think?

mm.

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Todd Phillips

The language is modern. They were translated in the mid-20th century. I like them and think they read well. Here is a sample from the Galatians commentary:

8. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Here Paul is breathing fire. His zeal is so fervent that he almost begins to curse the angels themselves. He says: “Even if we ourselves, my brethren, Timothy and Titus, and I, and all who are with me, to say nothing of the others—indeed, even if an angel from heaven should preach to you, etc., I would wish that my brethren and I, yes, even an angel from heaven, be accursed rather than that my Gospel be overthrown.” This is a passionate zeal, that he has the courage to curse so boldly not only himself and his brethen but even an angel from heaven. The Greek word ἀνάθεμα, חֵרֵם in Hebrew, means something cursed, execrable, contemptible, something that has no relation, participation, or communication with God. Thus Joshua says (6:17): “Let the city of Jericho be ἀνάθεμα forever, so that it is never reconstructed.” And in the last chapter of Leviticus it is written: “If a man or a beast has been devoted or ἀνάθεμα, let him be put to death and not permitted to live” (Lev. 27:28). Thus the divine sentence was that Amalek and some other cities destined for the ἀνάθεμα were to be completely demolished (Ex. 17:14). So this is what Paul means: “I would wish that I, others. yes, even an angel from heaven be accursed rather than that we or others preach any other gospel than the one we or others have preached.” Thus Paul curses himself first; for clever debaters usually begin by criticizing themselves, in order that then they may be able to reprove others more freely and more severely.
Therefore Paul concludes that there is no other gospel than the one he himself has been preaching. Nor is any other gospel to be preached by him or by anyone else, or even by an angel from heaven. For once the voice of the Gospel has sounded, it will not be revoked until the Last Day.

Martin Luther, vol. 26, Luther's Works, Vol. 26: Lectures on Galatians, 1535, Chapters 1-4 ( ed. Jaroslav Jan Pelikan et al.;Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999), 55-56.

Milkman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/465066#Comment_465066

Thanks Todd. I was concerned about the language thing. Looks like that's not an issue now. BTW do you have Kittelson's bio on Luther and if so, what do you think? That may be another book I'd purchase.

http://www.logos.com/product/28097/luther-the-reformer-the-story-of-the-man-and-his-career

mm.

William

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/465067#Comment_465067

I have yet to read this but I just copied a bit for you. I will post a portion of some other section if you tell me what you might like to see.

The Maturing Professor

ut it will be the death of me!" Thus did Luther respond when his superior, Staupitz (who was by then also his closest confidant), told him that it was time he became a professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg and preacher at the Castle Church. The conversation took place as the two men were sitting under the pear tree in the monastery’s courtyard. Staupitz replied, "Are you not aware that our Lord God has much important business to conduct? For these things he needs wise and learned counselors up there too." Luther was to stop taking himself so seriously.

ut it will be the death of me!" Thus did Luther respond when his superior, Staupitz (who was by then also his closest confidant), told him that it was time he became a professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg and preacher at the Castle Church. The conversation took place as the two men were sitting under the pear tree in the monastery’s courtyard. Staupitz replied, "Are you not aware that our Lord God has much important business to conduct? For these things he needs wise and learned counselors up there too." Luther was to stop taking himself so seriously.

Nonetheless, Staupitz did not easily have his way. The second time he proposed that Luther take his doctorate and the professorship, the 29-year-old monk replied with more than a dozen reasons why such a thing was utterly beyond possibility. Sometime in late September 1511, or about a month after Luther’s arrival in Wittenberg, Staupitz became adamant. "My dear fellow," he sputtered, "surely you do not wish to set yourself up as wiser than the whole congregation [of Augustinians] and the Fathers!" Staupitz was exercising his authority and very nearly ordering him to take up this new calling. Luther’s own testimony was, "I, Dr. Martin, have been called to this work, and I was compelled to become a doctor without any initiative of my own but out of pure obedience."

An unforgiving conscience

Staupitz probably succeeded in the end not only because he had the right to give Luther orders but also because Luther felt deeply indebted to him. The preceding months had been difficult: "For I hoped I might find peace of conscience with fasts, prayer, and the vigils with which I miserably afflicted my body, but the more I sweated it out like this, the less peace and tranquillity I knew." In this turmoil, Luther came to Staupitz so frequently to confess his doubts, misgivings, sins, and outright hatred of a righteous God that Staupitz once commanded him to go and commit a real sin.

Milkman

How cool are these volumes! Just skimming over them, but what I like best is the Index to his entire works. You can find most everything Luther said or preached or wrote about. Even his biographical statements about himself!

Yep, I know what I'm doing this weekend. Of course didn't Luther have a beer or two as well? Just a sec........

Why yes, yes he did. According to his letter to his wife Katie, he not only drank wine, but the pale ale as well. I knew I like a fellow German.

We are living well here; for each meal the city council gives me one half Stübig of Italian wine28 which is very good. Sometimes I drink it with my companions. The native wine is also good, and the beer of Naumburg is very good....

Luther, M. (1999). Vol. 50: Luther's works, vol. 50: Letters III (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.) (304). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

I'm using Kittelson's biography side-by-side and cross referencing his remarks with Luther's Works.

Great Logos purchase!!

mm.

fgh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/465313#Comment_465313

what I like best is the Index to his entire works

There's also a PB index of some kind: PB: Tables of Contents to the Luther’s Works + Comparison Charts. (Haven't looked at it, since I don't have the books.)

Milkman

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/465317#Comment_465317

Thanks fgh.

mm.