Sep 30, 2022 Print This Article

Luther’s New Testament translation celebrates 500 years

Special lecture to feature two esteemed New Testament scholars

In recognition of the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s translation of the New Testament, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in partnership with Lutheran Bible Translators, is sponsoring the “500th Anniversary Lecture: Martin Luther’s New Testament Translation.” Held on the Seminary campus, the lecture is set for 7 p.m. CT Thursday, Oct. 13, in Werner Auditorium in Wyneken Hall.

This special event will feature two esteemed New Testament scholars: Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, chief curatorial officer at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and former Seminary provost; and Dr. Vilson Scholz, a visiting professor of Exegetical Theology at the Seminary and former translation consultant for United Bible Societies.

“In only 11 weeks’ time, Martin Luther managed to produce a fresh translation of the New Testament, which he published in September 1522,” said Dr. Erik Herrmann, professor of Historical Theology, dean of Theological Research and Publication, and director of the Center for Reformation Research. “Luther’s translation was not only one of the most important works in the German language but also one of the greatest literary achievements of Western history. His gift for capturing the essence of a passage and making it understandable to the common person was nothing short of remarkable.”

Kloha and Scholz will explore how Luther’s vision of putting God’s Word into every language is still being fulfilled today.

The lecture will be preceded with a reception at 6:15 p.m. in Wyneken Hall on the Seminary’s campus at 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more on our website.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.