tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19795707.post114088306666436804..comments2024-03-22T16:09:48.895-04:00Comments on Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Evils of Private Interpretation: "There are almost as many sects and beliefs as there are heads"James Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136781934797867593noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19795707.post-21959225183506301082020-07-03T12:17:51.447-04:002020-07-03T12:17:51.447-04:00Luther’s own German translation of his Latin is si...<i>Luther’s own German translation of his Latin is significantly different, and for a wider audience avoided any reference to “so many words of God”</i><br /><br />How do you know Luther "avoided" these words "for a wider audience"? This seems to be an odd speculation based on a conspiracy-theory mind. <br /><br />LW 31 refers to the German as Luther's "free" translation. The most prominent English version in use today is based on the Latin text, so if there was some sort of "cover-up" occurring, it's had a massive fail since the publication of LW 31 in 1957. <br /><br />Fundamentally though, the German text and the Latin aren't as far apart as you insist. The Latin text (used as the basis for the English of LW 31) reads, <br /><br />"You may ask, 'What then is the Word of God, and how shall it be used, since there are so many words of God?' I answer: The Apostle explains this in Romans 1. The Word is the gospel of God concerning his Son, who was made flesh, suffered, rose from the dead, and was glorified through the Spirit who sanctifies. To preach Christ means to feed the soul, make it righteous, set it free, and save it, provided it believes the preaching." (LW 31:346).<br /><br />The German text (used as the basis for Bertram Lee Wolfe's translation) reads, <br /><br />"You may ask, however: 'What then is that word which gives such a signal grace, and how shall I see it?' The answer is: It is nothing else than the message proclaimed by Jesus, as is contained in the gospel; and this should be, and, in fact, is so presented that you hear your God speak to you."<br /><br />In context, Luther is using "Word of God" as synonymous with the life-saving Gospel. He's not commenting on the extent of the canon or alleged "other" protestants. The context isn't about the Lord's Supper religious images, the book of James, Old Testament Eucharistic practice, oral confession of sins, the real presence, and all the stuff Mr. Gregory mentions. James Swanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16136781934797867593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19795707.post-62332435775845911092020-07-02T11:29:47.687-04:002020-07-02T11:29:47.687-04:00Here’s another quotation from Luther. Let’s see ho...Here’s another quotation from Luther. Let’s see how Mr Swan attempts to wriggle out of this one.<br /><br />“Yet you might ask, ‘What then is this word or in what matter is it to be used since there are so many words of God?’”<br /><br />Mr Swan does not like quotations without primary sources, so here you are:<br />Tractus de libertate Christiana [1520], in WA vol 7 (Weimar: Hermann Böhlhaus Nachfolger, 1897), p51/12-13: “Quaeres autem, ‘Quod nam est verbum hoc, aut qua arte utendum est eo, cum tam multa sint verba dei?’” <br />Luther’s own German translation of his Latin is significantly different, and for a wider audience avoided any reference to “so many words of God”: “Fragistu aber ‘wilchs ist den das wort, das solch grose gnad gibt, Und wie sol ichs gebrauchen?’” Luther, Von der Freiheit eines Christenmenschen [1520].<br />(Thanks to Brad Gregory, “The Unintended Reformation”, page 425.)<br />Highland Cathedralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07519428794618769856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19795707.post-1142898835203798262006-03-20T18:53:00.000-05:002006-03-20T18:53:00.000-05:00Hi Pio Frances-Thanks for stopping by- Took me a w...Hi Pio Frances-<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by- Took me a while, but I tracked it down.<BR/><BR/>Take Care-<BR/> JamesJames Swanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16136781934797867593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19795707.post-1142876652848862142006-03-20T12:44:00.000-05:002006-03-20T12:44:00.000-05:00+JMJI apologise for never getting around to respon...+JMJ<BR/><BR/>I apologise for never getting around to responding to your comment on my blog, but I see that you found my short search for the context you were looking for. I'm glad you were able to do the footwork.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, whether Luther even said that or not, I only posted it as a curiosity. He still left the historical Church.<BR/><BR/>God bless!Joel Haubenreichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03668570169555658851noreply@blogger.com