Concordia Publishing House

Luther's Works, Volume 59 (Prefaces I / 1522 1532) (Luther's Works (Concordia)) Concordia Publishing House

About this Volume:
Never before in English, this volume presents Luther's prefaces from 1520-32 for the writings of both colleagues and opponents. In Luther's day, the preface was sometimes the most important part of the book. The preface used the most beautiful of language to praise the author, his work, and his arguments--and to decry his opponents. Publishers knew that having Luther's preface brought instant fame to any book.

Some of Luther's prefaces are short, witty, and incisive; others are as long as treatises, with thorough discussions of important theology. Satirical, earnest, tender, combative--in his prefaces Luther is all these things. Over and over, Luther calls his readers to remember why the Reformation was needed, and not to take it for granted.

About the Series:
The twenty planned new volumes are intended to reflect both modern and sixteenth-century interests and to expand the coverage of genres underrepresented in the existing volumes, such as Luther's sermons and disputations. The primary basis for the translation is the comprehensive Weimar edition.