Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 774 pages
- Published by: Augsburg Fortress Publishers
- Edition: 2nd Edition January 2001
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0800627407
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0800627409
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Book Dimensions:
9.3 x 6.4 x 2 inches
- Weighs: 3.2 pounds
Product Description
Commissioned in 1993, this new 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
About The Author
Robert Kolb is Missions Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Timothy J. Wengert is Professor of Church History at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
Reader ReviewsAfter having a chance to read more of this new translation of the Book of Concord, I still conclude that this book is--overall--very good. Yes, the translation does pluralize some areas where the original was singular, such as Luther's explanation of the Ten Commandments in his Small Catechism. Nevertheless, such pluralizations seem natural to the modern ear and tongue and do not seem a deliberate ruse to avoid using "he, him, or his," such as the explanation of who is my neighbor. The translators and editors should not have allowed these subject-verb-predicate mismatches, but were probably allowed for political correctness. However, other areas are deliberately so worded for modern correctness, such as portion of the Smalcald Articles where the translators change singulars to plurals to avoid reference to male clergy. Translators are not to make something likeable to the modern reader but make it understandable. So my first impressions were off a bit, but not much on pluralizations for political correctness. The references and historical background in the footnotes are superb and bests any BOC yet to come to print. This alone makes the book worth its purchase--so much so students of the Confessions should have this volume and use it! It was especially refreshing to see incorrect references in previous Book of Concord editions corrected in this edition. The biggest possible "problem" with this BOC is its use of Melanchthon's second Latin version of the Apology as the basis for the translation. Kolb and Wengert do make a serious case for their decision, much of which has merit. I do not have the historical or theological qualifications, however, to say definitively if using Melanchton's second Latin version was the best choice or not, but readers should be aware of this decision. In short, this edition does have some shortcomings of which readers should be aware. However, it is the most readable BOC to date and has the best footnotes of any BOC, bar none. Thus, if you want to read the Lutheran Confessions, then buy this edition and read it. However, for serious study, cross-refer this edition with the Concordia Triglotta to hone in on the original authors' intents.
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