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Primary sourceBook1903

The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther, vols. 7-14

Martin Luther · 1903

A multi-volume early 1900s English translation of Luther's sermons and church postils, based on the Kaiser edition.

These volumes collect Luther's own sermons and postils, translated into English long after his death.

Full text (Internet Archive)

About this source

What it is

This is a set of volumes (7-14) from a large English translation of Luther's sermons and church postils, published in 1903 in Minneapolis. It was edited by John Nicholas Lenker, based on the German Kaiser chronological edition, with reference to the Erlangen and Walch editions.

Why it matters

These volumes brought Luther's preaching to English-speaking readers centuries after he wrote. They show how Luther's words as a preacher continued to shape Lutheran churches long after the Reformation, and how later scholars worked to preserve and spread his teaching.

Look closer

  • Why might a translator in 1903 want to make Luther's sermons available in English?
  • What does the editor's praise of Luther as "the Hero of the Reformation" tell you about how later generations viewed him?
  • How might translating sermons centuries later change their meaning or tone?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Martin Luther on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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