Essential Luther

Reviews / Votes

"[Helfferich's] translations are clear and easy to read and couched in contemporary English that is appealing to the reader. The introductions to each document are informative and effective, sketching out each text's major themes, and placing the document into a larger context. The information provided in the notes is helpful, particularly the references identifying Scriptural passages to which Luther refers. The book features a balanced assortment of Luther's works, including some of his most important and well known works, as well as some of his lesser known (or, at least, lesser read) writings. The collection reflects the broad range of subjects that Luther addressed during his lifetime and, since the documents are arranged in chronological order, it provides the reader with the opportunity to see how Luther's thought developed. The thematic table of contents is extremely helpful as it identifies for the reader in which writings Luther addressed a particular topic. The collection of documents, then, is valuable in that it allows readers to explore both the breadth of Luther's work as well as to engage a particular aspect of Luther's thought as it developed over time."
-Susan Mobley, Concordia University Wisconsin
"The Essential Luther provides a much-needed, updated anthology of Luther's writings that places him firmly within his sixteenth-century context while linking his work to twenty-first century concerns like women's religious and societal roles, religious and political violence, and interreligious encounter and conflict. The chronological presentation of Luther's writings will prove enormously helpful for students, as they can trace the development of his theology-however episodic and discontinuous it can sometimes be-through the tumultuous events of Luther's public life and ministry. Helfferich's eminently readable and richly informative general introduction and her brief introductions to each selection help immensely in this respect, as do her succinct and judiciously placed footnotes. Helfferich does students a service, as well, with her realism. She presents Luther quite rightly as a titan of Christian theology; but so too does she avoid undue hagiography, allowing Luther, when appropriate, to appear as self-contradictory, hypocritical, and at times merciless. This compendium of Luther's writings deserves acclaim, use, longevity, and classic status."
-Peter Joseph Fritz, College of the Holy Cross
"[Helfferich's new compilation] of Luther's work . . . speaks skillfully and compellingly to multiple audiences. From students who are encountering Luther for the first time to scholars of the early modern period, readers are guided through Luther's life via his works, and vice versa. Maintaining the shape and sense of Luther's original writings while rendering, in her English versions, the language more readable and accessible for a modern audience, Helfferich's work provides a readable reference guide to Luther's key texts and ideas. The volume is not exhaustive but instead represents all of Luther's key beliefs and ideas; it constitutes an ideal starting point for undergraduate students and non-specialists.
"Helfferich's editorial work constantly reminds readers of the need to view Luther in his own context. Her footnotes provide concise commentary throughout, adding in the relevant Bible passages where these are not specified in the original text and often a short summary of their content, as well as elucidating references to other religions, texts, sources, and historical events . . . we feel informed but not overwhelmed as we peruse the translations.
"A key strength of this volume lies in its use of the narrative of Luther's ever evolving life and thoughts as the driving force behind the creation of, and indeed the decision to include, each text. An argument for the continued study of Luther, The Essential Luther also serves as a justification for the study of literature and theological texts as historical sources that teach us not only about events but also about how these events were experienced and ultimately recorded by writers and their peers."
-Jess Allen, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, in Renaissance and Reformation "In the wake of [so] many works published about Luther up to 2017, can there be anything left to say? [This new volume] by Helfferich . . . provide[s] an excellent restorative service for any suffering from Luther fatigue. . . . Helfferich has compiled a collection of 25 translated extracts of Luther's key works. Supported by an excellent introductory survey on Luther's career and ideas, this volume serves as a biography of a kind seen through Luther's own language. Helfferich has wisely chosen to provide some texts in full and other extracts at substantial length to allow the reader to hear Luther's voice clearly."
-Graeme Murdock, Trinity College Dublin, in European History Quarterly