Martin Luther Reading the Bible in a Year

Virtually

Prominent Reformation historian Timothy Wengert introduces the basic components of Martin Luther's theology of the Bible and examines Luther'southward contributions to present-day biblical interpretation. Wengert addresses key points of debate regarding Luther's approach to the Bible that have ofttimes been misunderstood, including biblical authority, the distinction between law and gospel, the theology of the cantankerous, and biblical ideals. He argues that Luther, when rightly understood, offers much wisdom to Christians searching for fresh approaches to the interpretation of Scripture. This brief only comprehensive overview is filled with insights on Luther's theology and its significance for contemporary debates on the Bible, particularly the New Perspective on Paul.

Contents
1. Say-so: Putting James in Its Identify
James and Straw
The Self-Authenticating Scripture
Sola Scriptura?
two. Method: Dying and Ascent
A Cautionary Tale about Throwing Stones
Distinguishing Constabulary and Gospel
The Law's Outset Use: The Pastor as Vo-Tech Teacher
A Third Apply for the Constabulary: The First and the Second Uses Apply to Believers
Exegesis Is for Announcement: Finding the Law and the Gospel in the Text
iii. Interpretation: Forcefulness Perfected in Weakness
The Weakness of Scripture
Finding the Central Weakness of Scripture: Romans
Finding the Heart of the Gospels
4. Practice: Luther'southward Biblical Ethics
Gleichmut: The Christian'south Balancing Deed
Das Gewissen: The Conscience
Glaube: Religion
Gemeinschaft: Community
5. Example: Luther Interpreting Galatians 3:vi-14
The Argumentum
Galatians three:6-14 in 1519
Galatians three:half-dozen-14 in 1535
An Afterword: Looking Forrard to Reading the Bible with Luther
Indexes

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Endorsements

"Wengert shows his mastery of Luther with this report of the Reformer's biblical interpretation. Here we read Scripture with Luther and motion beyond fundamentalistic and liberal perspectives. We encounter fresh approaches to authority, method, interpretation, and the practise of scriptural interpretation with Luther's biblical ethics. This is a fine piece of work, engaging basic issues and providing a rediscovery of insights that are poised to awaken the academy and the church building."

Donald K. McKim, editor of The Cambridge Companion to Martin Luther

"Wengert'due south remarkable skill as a pastoral theologian and theologian for pastors is evident as he applies Luther'south insights on proclaiming the gospel to problems such as biblical potency, the domestication of texts by both fundamentalists and liberals, relating the Erstwhile Attestation to the New, the 'canon within the catechism,' the 'New Perspective on Paul,' biblical ethics, and the full general modern penchant to try to empathise rather than 'stand under' biblical texts. He succinctly and perceptively applies to biblical estimation such classic theological loci as the third use of the law, the dialectic of constabulary and gospel, and, most of import, Luther's persistent accent that Scripture is Scripture because it 'pushes Christ' on the hearer to reveal sin and give new life. Required reading for preachers of all denominations!"

Carter Lindberg, professor emeritus of church building history, Boston University School of Theology

"Martin Luther's faith journey took him deep into the Scriptures, looking for God. Timothy Wengert lifts up Luther's about essential discoveries in that search and offers them to scholars and seekers alike as a guide to reading the Bible. Ironically, the guide does not keep united states from getting lost in the Bible but rather draws u.s.a. deeper into the 'foolishness' and 'weakness' of Scripture, where we may well find in organized religion the truth of who is seeking whom."

Roy Riley, one-time bishop of the New Bailiwick of jersey Synod, ELCA

"Wengert's exposition of Luther is passionate, practical, and provocative--a marvelous exercise in theological and historical spring-cleaning in which long-standing one-half-truths and caricatures nigh Luther are exposed and discarded. The volume is worth reading for the first chapter lone; Wengert deftly sets forth Luther'south existent picture of the Epistle of James as well as his surprising reluctance to cover sola scriptura as a slogan. In the context of today'due south Protestant Christianity, Luther emerges every bit an iconoclast and a maverick, besides every bit a huge risk-taker and a pastoral presence probable to bring no easy comfort either to liberals or to conservatives. Not everyone will agree with every movement Luther made, just everyone ought to ponder what Luther taught nigh reading the Bible and how he truly lived the Give-and-take of God not just on paper simply throughout his ain life and ministry. To that end, Wengert is an engaging and joyous guide."

John L. Thompson, author of Reading the Bible with the Expressionless: What You lot Can Learn from the History of Exegesis That You Tin't Learn from Exegesis Alone

"Wengert leads readers into Luther'southward study and directs their reading of Scripture though Luther's constabulary/gospel hermeneutics, assessing from a specific, 20-offset-century Northward American perspective how the Reformer's Christ-centered delivery of the biblical message functions. Wengert challenges contemporary students of the Bible to find its say-so and message by letting the text chief them rather than through their ain attempt to primary God'due south Word."

Robert Kolb, professor of systematic theology emeritus, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Missouri

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The Author

1. 

   Timothy J. Wengert

   Timothy J. Wengert (PhD, Duke Academy) is Ministerium of Pennsylvania Emeritus Professor of Church History at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He has authored or edited twenty books, including The Book of Concur (2000 translation,...

   Continue reading almost Timothy J. Wengert

Reviews

"If you are Lutheran--or if you want to know most Luther and Lutheranism--make sure that y'all 'read, mark, learn, and inwardly assimilate' this little tome. Wengert has done a existent service to laity and clergy akin with this fresh, lively, and deeply insightful assay of Luther and his approach to Scripture. . . . I thing is especially attractive about this book (too its comprehensive approach and first-class summary nature). It brings together, and properly so, Luther's approach to scriptural interpretation and contemporary linguistic theory."

James W. Voelz,

Lutheran Quarterly

"Wengert is an internationally recognized expert on the life and thought of Philipp Melanchton, Martin Luther's closest and nearly influential colleague. In this concise, lively, and engaging volume . . . Wengert brings his prodigious learning to bear on Luther'southward biblical hermeneutics as he highlights forth the way both the numerous consistencies as well as some subtle differences between the two reformers. . . . Wengert'due south critique of fundamentalist appeals to and appropriations of Luther is plainly devastating. Readers who follow Wengert'southward arguments will discover numerous insights highlighting how such appropriations of Luther rest on basic misunderstandings of his almost cherished principles of estimation."

Brooks Schramm,

Interpretation

"Wengert provides a look at the approach to scripture used by Martin Luther in reading the Bible. Combining academic rigor with pastoral awarding this makes a very useful guide. . . . Wengert's work is very helpful in unpacking Luther. Like Luther, he is able to bring his experiences as both a pastor, serving in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and an academic to assistance those who written report and teach the Bible. He is thereby especially able to help students engage with Luther. . . . [This volume] will be of help in understanding Luther's commentaries, lectures, and sermons so that we tin learn and recall the important lessons the reformer taught."

John S. Kennedy,

Scottish Message of Evangelical Theology

"Offering[s] insights and perspectives on the work of Martin Luther. In this brief work, Wengert draws the reader into a practical and pastoral chat regarding Luther's understanding and use of the Scriptures. . . . Wengert is to be commended for this study and encouragement to keep to use the Bible every bit the ground for 1's proclamation, faith, and life."

Timothy Maschke,

Concordia Theological Periodical

"This is a very interesting book. . . . [Wengert] argues that reading the Bible with the reformers would result in lives that are lived out in dependence on God and that ultimately result in dearest and care for others. . . . It will be of interest to anyone who, along with Wengert, finds current methods of reading and interpreting the scriptures in ecclesial settings to be wanting. There could quite possibly be a large audience for this volume."

James R. McConnell,

Review and Expositor

"If yous are a Lutheran, y'all will find a lot of encouragement in Timothy Wengert's book on Martin Luther's view and approach to Scripture. The volume will challenge you to undertake the estimation and proclamation of the gospel with the same passion and care equally the original Lutheran. If you are not a Lutheran, Wengert's caption of Luther's view on Scripture will forcefulness you to re-retrieve some of the things you lot idea y'all knew most Luther. . . . [Wengert] seeks to introduce the reader to the basic components of Luther's theology of the Bible. He succeeds in that task merely does it in such a way that you come away thinking more deeply about your own approach to understanding Scripture. . . . You may not agree with all of Dr. Wengert'south conclusions, but you will certainly glean new insights and a fresh approach to your ain written report and preaching every bit you open up your heed and heart to his--and to Dr. Luther's--words and instruction."

Douglas Connelly,

Englewood Review of Books

"Wengert takes a fresh approach to Martin Luther and his theology."

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