Reviews

"[A] rich and rewarding careful study. . . . Kolb is arguably the foremost Luther scholar in North America, and this contribution further emphasizes that status. . . . In reading this book, one is captivated by the way that Kolb retreats into the background and essentially allows Luther and his colleagues to speak for themselves, drawing together, in their own words, the central tenets of the Reformation movement inspired by their encounter with Scripture. His clarity of writing is combined with the richness and diversity of his use of the primary sources, reflecting the labors of a life-time of research. While one could call this work Kolb's magnum opus, one hopes it is simply an appetizer for future contributions from his desk. This work is stellar contribution to Luther scholarship."

Gordon A. Jensen,

Touchstone

"An erudite description of how the Lutheran Reformation established a new worldview. . . . [Kolb] is recognized as an authority not only on Luther, but especially on the generation of Lutheran theologians who followed Luther. . . . His encyclopedic knowledge of Luther's writings and the sixteenth century in general makes this monograph in many respects Kolb's magnum opus. . . . The key contribution of Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God is that its author--writing after a generation of research--convincingly demonstrates from primary source material that Luther's principle of sola Scriptura . . . was one of the central theological dynamics that produced the Protestant Reformation and also enabled it to be passed down to subsequent generations. This scholarly work is a welcome addition to the extensive collection of Luther-related studies and breaks some fresh ground."

Joel L. Pless,

Theology Today

"Kolb uses ample sources to successfully demonstrate the methodological approaches and practical aspects of implementation pursued by the Wittenberg School, as well as suggesting areas that merit further research. . . . This work includes resources for experienced scholars, as well as those just entering the field. . . . This work gives deserved credit to many within the Wittenberg School, particularly Philip Melanchthon, and to those in the later generation who solidified and perpetuated the movement's focus on the means to promote the Word in its oral, written, and sacramental forms. The scope of Kolb's work provides a framework for scholars interested in exploring the nuanced ways in which Luther and his Wittenberg colleagues studied scripture and developed ways for expanded demographic groups to access the Word, while encouraging further study into how the focus and methodologies of the Wittenberg School were evidenced and changed in succeeding generations."

Rebecca C. Peterson,

Sixteenth Century Journal

"The fourteen chapters cover a vast range of topics, making the book a veritable treasure trove of historical and theological scholarship, meticulously researched and persuasively presented. The copious use of subheadings makes the book very accessible and allows the reader to dip into it at different places within a chapter. . . . The author convincingly demonstrates that for Martin Luther the Word of God endures forever. I recommend this book highly, particularly to pastors, teachers, and students of theology."

Jeffrey Silcock,

Lutheran Quarterly

"[An] impressive new study . . . of how Luther and his Wittenberg team understood the Holy Scriptures and preaching."

John T. Pless,

Logia

"Throughout this book Kolb demonstrates his familiarly with the primary sources. . . . In themselves the footnotes are worth the purchase price of Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God. Even more impressive are the references to archival materials that do not exist in English. . . . This is not a quick read. By that I don't mean it is difficult; rather there is so much information to be processed that one is frequently required to stop and consider what has just been said. Students of the Reformation, teachers, and pastors will all benefit from the work of Robert Kolb. Individual chapters would be valuable for group study. This is not a book to read once. This is a volume that deserves a place on your bookshelf for frequent reference."

James F. Korthals,

Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly

"Kolb is the American master of all things Lutheran in the 16th century, the unofficial 'dean' of Luther studies. In this volume he sets forth a comprehensive look at the biblical exegesis of Luther, his Wittenberg colleagues, and their 16th-century heirs, leading up to the 1580 Book of Concord. . . . What he accomplished is astounding. The hope is that future generations will search out the buried treasures of Lutheran exegesis in the 16th century, for which Kolb has given us an excellent map."

Benjamin T. G. Mayes,

Concordia Theological Quarterly

"A detailed introduction to the Wittenberg school of exegesis. . . . One of the more beneficial aspects of this introduction is the way that Kolb repeatedly points readers in the direction of new avenues for research. . . . There is no other way to describe Robert Kolb's Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God than as a tour de force in Reformation scholarship. We can only hope that the summons that Kolb has issued to future researchers in this volume will be heeded, for Kolb has shown us that this exciting area of historical study is by no means exhausted."

Cedric Parsels,

Calvin Theological Journal

"Besides the vast overview of how Luther, along with his colleagues and students, received and transmitted God's word with a renewed understanding of God and man, Martin Luther and the Enduring Word of God synthesizes years of Reformation research and opens the way for future scholarship. Multiple primary sources, such as the Luther Bible and Flacius's Clavis, are summarized and so entice interested students into further study. Past and present scholars are utilized by also critiqued where necessary."

Nathaniel S. Jensen,

Logia

"Kolb explores the famous reformer's use of biblical narrative and in the process sheds new light on both Luther studies and modern narrative theology. . . . Throughout his analysis, Kolb demonstrates how a better understanding of Luther's use of biblical stories to unfold the Bible's metanarrative sheds fresh light on the reformer's theology, hermeneutics, and spirituality. . . . Kolb richly demonstrates how Luther enthusiastically used these biblical stories as an ideal means of imprinting the life of faith in the hearts and minds of his audience. . . . Kolb skillfully weaves the thought of modern narrative theologians into his discussion as well. . . . The book is an engaging and valuable study of Luther's thought and historical context. It should appeal to historians, theologians, hermeneutical scholars, and preachers seeking to use biblical narrative as a means to cultivate spirituality in their hearers."

Seth D. Osborne,

Books at a Glance

"[Wengert] digs deep into the life and the roles of Luther and the entire Wittenberg School and their view of how the Gospel is proclaimed. . . . Kolb does not completely ignore a detailed biographical approach to the life of Luther but instead he expands it to those whom Luther directly affected, which is a welcomed relief to a saturated market on biographies on Martin Luther. . . . [Kolb] skillfully expounds upon [his] thesis by demonstrating how Luther's view of Sola Scriptura not only impacted his life but the lives of all the people whom he influenced."

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