A Pardes Reading of Galatians

Reformation Readings of Paul: Explorations in History and Exegesis, 2015

Dialog: A Journal of Theology, 2007

Oxford Encyclopedia of Martin Luther, 2017

Martin Luther's exposition of the Bible was not only fundamental to his academic vocation, but it stood at the very center of his reforming work. Through his interpretation of the New Testament, Luther came to new understanding of the gospel, expressed most directly in the apostle Paul's teaching on justification. However one assesses the historical complexities of Luther's own recollections on the matter, it is nonetheless quite clear that he regarded his time immersed in the writings of Paul as the turning point for his theology and his approach to the entire Scriptures. 1 Further, Luther's interpretation of the New Testament had such a force that it would influence the entire subsequent history of exegesis, as colleagues, students, rivals, and opponents all had to reckon with it. Ironically, as a professor, Luther's exegetical lectures and commentaries were more often on the Old Testament rather than the New. Instead, Luther's New Testament interpretation is to be found primarily in his preaching which, following the lectionary, was usually on a text from one of the Gospels or Epistles. His reforms of worship in Wittenberg also called for weekly serial preaching on Matthew and John for the instruction of the people. From these we have some of the richest sustained reflections on the Gospels in the sixteenth century.

Nova et vetera, 2018

2007