I would describe myself as a serious student of Luther, and a passionate fan of all things Luther. I’ve done just enough graduate-type research and study in Luther’s works and the field of Luther studies to recognize true excellence when I see it. Believe me, this is great stuff, from every perspective: pastoral, practical, clear, easy to read, superb scholarship. The full price of these volumes is $50, but as a subscriber you will receive them, as they are published, for $35. Become a subscriber. Each volume is currently priced at $49.99 each, but as a subscriber you pay only $34.99 plus shipping, a 30% saving. Volumes will release once a year and will be shipped to you automatically. This is a great price on a series like this. Trust me on this one.

I would like to ask you to support this new series by subscribing to the series. We will be publishing one volume a year. Here is where you can subscribe to the series and read the prospectus about the new new series. Read our press release below for Rev. Dr. Mayes’, the series’ managing editor, comments on this series.

http://www.cph.org/cphstore/pages/programs/luthersworks.asp

More of Martin Luther’s Works Now Available in English
Expanded series offers students of Martin Luther’s teachings twenty new volumes

09.24.2009 – Saint Louis, MO—Concordia Publishing House (CPH) announces the expansion of Luther’s Works: American Edition. Twenty new volumes are being translated from Luther’s original Latin and German into clear, accessible, modern English, and the introductions and footnotes make significant academic contributions to our understanding of Luther’s confession of Christ.

The newest book, volume 69 (John 17–20) is now available at cph.org/luthersworks or by calling 1-800-325-3040. The book is available by itself or as a subscription. Each volume is currently priced at $49.99; subscribers pay only $34.99 each, a 30% savings. Volumes will come out once a year and will ship automatically. To learn more about the series, the Web site also includes a prospectus for the expansion of Luther’s Works: American Edition.

“Nearly five hundred years since the Reformation began, Martin Luther’s writings continue to inspire the preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ in the Christian Church around the world,” says the Rev. Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes, managing editor of Luther’s Works. “The twenty planned new volumes, under the general editorship of Dr. Christopher Boyd Brown 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 (showing his pastoral application of the Word) and disputations (showing us Luther’s theology in a systematic context).”

The newest volume of Luther’s Works: America Edition focuses on four chapters from the Gospel of John, including Luther’s exposition of Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, as well as his preached meditations on the entire Passion and resurrection of our Lord according to John.

Dr. Mayes continues, “The last part of our new volume is truly unique. For the first time, we have collected and translated all of Luther’s sermons on John 20:19–31, where Jesus breathes on His disciples, gives them the Holy Spirit, and bestows on them His authority to forgive and retain sins. The sermons here in Luther’s Works 69 show in what ways Luther’s explanation of this passage changed through his career, and in what ways it stayed the same. In every sermon Luther’s concern to uphold the forgiveness of sins through the word of absolution is clear and heartening.”

Luther’s Works: American Edition has been well received by scholars and church leaders.

Mark U. Edwards, Jr., Academic Dean at Harvard Divinity School, says, “This 20-volume new series splendidly complements its 55-volume predecessor and offers a treasure-trove of writings never before available in English, writings crucial to understanding Luther’s life, thought, and profound influence throughout the centuries.”

Carter Lindberg, Professor of Church History Emeritus at Boston University School of Theology, states, “Volume 69, Sermons on the Gospel of St. John, 17–20, is a superb example of what we can expect from the edition’s general editor, Christopher Brown. Pastors, professors, and students will profit from the judicious choice of Luther’s sermons, disputations, and exegetical works.”

Robert Kolb, Missions Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Institute for Mission Studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, says, “The volumes are being edited according to the highest academic standards and their introductions and notes offer readers helpful guides to the context and content of the reformer’s writings. Casual readers and those seeking to expand and deepen their knowledge of the Reformation will profit greatly from these carefully translated and edited volumes.”