John A. Maxfield - Luther’s Lectures on Genesis and the Formation of Evangelical Identity

Copyright 2008 Truman State University Press, Kirksville, Missouri 63501

All rights reserved

tsup.truman.edu

Cover art: Detail, epitaph for Pastor Johannes Weidner (d. 1606) and his family, St. Michaels Church, Schwbisch Hall. Photograph by the author.

Cover design: Teresa Wheeler

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Maxfield, John A., 1963

Luthers lectures on Genesis and the formation of evangelical identity / John A. Maxfield.

p. cm. (Sixteenth century essays and studies ; v. 80)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-931112-75-8 (hardback : alk. paper) ISBN 978-1-935503-51-4 (ebook)

1. Luther, Martin, 14831546. 2. Bible. O.T. GenesisCriticism, interpretation, etc.History16th century. I. Title.

BR333.5.B5M39 2008

222'.1106092dc22

2007051722

No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any format by any means without written permission from the publisher.

Habent sua fata libelli

SIXTEENTH CENTURY ESSAYS & STUDIES SERIES

GENERAL EDITOR

MICHAEL WOLFE

ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY

EDITORIAL BOARD OF SIXTEENTH CENTURY ESSAYS & STUDIES

In memory of my grandfather George Oliver Lillegard missionary, pastor, professor of exegesis and Greek, and preacher on the book of Genesis

Spoken words possess an indefinable hidden power,
and teaching that passed directly
from the mouth of the speaker into the ears of the disciples
is more impressive than any other

Jerome to Paulinus, Ep. 53 (AD 394)

After speaking these prayers several times, he was called by God into
the everlasting School and into everlasting joys,
in which he enjoyed the company of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit,
and of all the Prophets and Apostles

Philip Melanchthon, History of the Life and Acts of the Most Reverend Dr. Martin Luther

All figures (except the frontispiece) are referenced in the text.

This book grew out of my doctoral dissertation, which was accepted by the faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary in May 2004. Like the dissertation that preceded it, the book arrives with many debts. Prior to doctoral studies at Princeton, my study of history and theology was shaped by professors at Gettysburg College, Concordia Theological Seminary, Indiana University, and the Pennsylvania State University. My first introduction to Luthers Genesis lectures was provided by a course of lectures and readings given by Dr. Ulrich Asendorf as a visiting scholar at Concordia Theological Seminary in 1993. During doctoral studies, my research in the lectures was facilitated by two seminars in Luther interpretation by Dr. Scott Hendrix and one on Renaissance historiography and constructions of the past by Dr. Anthony Grafton of Princeton University.

The members of my dissertation committeeDr. Scott Hendrix, Dr. Paul Rorem, Dr. Anthony Grafton, and, prior to her sabbatical leave, Dr. Elsie McKeeprovided careful guidance for my project from the initial proposal through review of the dissertation draft and its revision. I am particularly indebted to the steady stream of constructive criticism and meticulous editorial advice of Dr. Scott Hendrix. I am also grateful to Professor Emeritus Gottfried Seeba of the University of Heidelberg for providing office space and assistance during the final six months of my dissertation research and writing.

Further research for revision of the book was facilitated by the collections at Luther Seminary Library in St. Paul, Minnesota. After submission to the general editor of the Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies series, Dr. Raymond Mentzer, two anonymous readers offered reports that contained helpful suggestions for further developing the book and pointed out various matters of detail that needed additional attention. Prior to submission of the revised draft to Truman State University Press, my wife, Jennifer, carefully read through the entire manuscript and offered invaluable assistance in making the prose more concise and clear.