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Luther's Works #8
Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 45-50
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 concludes his Lecture on Genesis (45—50). Joseph, whom God has made lord of all Egypt, reveals himself to his brothers. “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.” Although he has the power to sentence them to severe punishment for their heinous crime, he gives them full forgiveness. Since his heart has been pining away for his aged father, he orders his brothers to return in haste to their homeland and to bring Jacob to Egypt. When Jacob hears the good news, his disconsolate spirit revives. Then he and his household— 70 souls in all—migrate to Egypt and settle in the land of Goshen.—“I can do no more,” says Luther after he has completed his last lecture on the Book of Genesis. But could any theologian have done more? Although Luther was by no means full of physical vigor when he delivered these discourses, his mind was razor-sharp and constantly alert. His comprehensive acquaintance with Scripture is always in evidence.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1965
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About the author
Martin Luther
5,029 books808 followersMartin 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 5, 2015
I must say I have enjoyed this Volume, which is the final Volume in Luther's coverage of Genesis. Tomorrow I start Volume 9 :)
At about 2,500 or so pages, these 8 volumes supply quite a comprehensive and detailed look at Genesis - and also gives you many insights not only into Luther himself but the world of the 16th Century.
I still feel that Luther is a bit too "generous" in his dealing with many of the Patriarchs - and in this volume that can still be said of his handling of Jacob. However, Luther holds nothing back when it comes to dealing with Joseph's brothers :) I also think he deals quite well with Joseph.
I must say the closing words from Luther are very appropriate (especially when you remember he wrote this near the end of his life): "This is now the dear Genesis. God grant that after me others will do better. I can do no more. I am weak. Pray God for me that He may grant me a good and blessed last hour."
At about 2,500 or so pages, these 8 volumes supply quite a comprehensive and detailed look at Genesis - and also gives you many insights not only into Luther himself but the world of the 16th Century.
I still feel that Luther is a bit too "generous" in his dealing with many of the Patriarchs - and in this volume that can still be said of his handling of Jacob. However, Luther holds nothing back when it comes to dealing with Joseph's brothers :) I also think he deals quite well with Joseph.
I must say the closing words from Luther are very appropriate (especially when you remember he wrote this near the end of his life): "This is now the dear Genesis. God grant that after me others will do better. I can do no more. I am weak. Pray God for me that He may grant me a good and blessed last hour."
Displaying 1 of 1 review