Commissioned in 1993, this translation
of
The Book of Concord brings a new
generation of scholarship and sensitivities
to bear on the foundational texts of
Lutheran identity. The fifth English
translation since 1851, this edition
succeeds that edited by Theodore Tappert
published in 1959 by Muhlenburg
Press.
A review of the text in light of a mountain
of new scholarship and other factors
dictated the new translation and apparatus,
including changes in the English language
over the past forty years, differences in
the training and preparation of seminarians
and pastors, limitations in the
introductions and annotations to the various
parts of the book, new knowledge of the
history and theology of these very
documents, and the occasional error in
Tappert's translation.
Kolb and Wengert's team of leading
Reformation historians was augmented by
consultation with one hundred other scholars
and teachers who use
The Book of
Concord continually, and two other teams
of scholars who have reviewed the
translations. In coming years, two volumes
of related documents will follow.
Benefits of this new translation:
-
Expanded introductions and annotations offer
richer historical context
-
New translation aims at accessible but
accurate translation
-
Format is easier to read and use
-
Leading American scholars have been involved
or consulted
"This is an important book that contains the doctrinal writings of the Lutheran church prepared by Martin Luther and his followers. ...If anyone, regardless of denomination, wishes to know what the Lutheran church teaches, this is the book that will answer those questions. ...
"[The 1959 Tappert translation of the Book of Concord] served the church well for more than four decades. But the reasons for replacing Tappert with Kolb/Wengert are three: 1. ...The current edition speaks clearly to contemporary readers. 2. Scholarship on the Lutheran doctrinal writings has increased dramatically in this past generation. 3. Extensive introductions and notes make this book useful to the general reader as well as to the specialist. ...
"Make this book available so members of your congregation can join the discussion."
— reviewed by Rod Olson in Lutheran Libraries (spring 2001)
