The Reformation's Cornerstone: The Luther Bible of 1534 – A Cultural History

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MPN: 3822821969 (ISBN) 

Brand Name: TASCHEN

Overview

Discover the definitive cultural and historical introduction to the single most important book in German history: The Luther Bible of 1534. Authored by scholar Stephan Füssel, this TASCHEN volume explores the historical, theological, and media-related context of Martin Luther’s revolutionary translation. It details the journey of Bible translation from the Latin Vulgate to the first complete German edition, analyzing Luther's innovative principles—such as $sola scriptura$ (Scripture alone)—and his language-shaping power that made the Holy Scriptures accessible to the common German people for the first time. The book also highlights the crucial, symbiotic relationship between the Reformation's success and the newly invented printing press.

Product Features

• Format: Hardcover, Illustrated Cultural History, Reference Book.
• Author: Stephan Füssel.
• Languages: German (Primary text).
• Genre: Christian Literature, Theology, German History, Book History, Biblical Exegesis.
• Key Topics Explored:
  • The history of German Bibles before Luther (including the 18 preceding German vernacular editions).
  • Luther’s translation principles and his role as a language creator ($Sprachschöpfer$).
  • The 1534 complete edition and its unprecedented resonance and massive print run.
  • The media history of the Reformation and the profound impact of the printing press.
  • Theological concepts like $sola scriptura$ and the competence of the laity (Mündigkeit der Laien).

Interesting Facts

This edition illuminates the explosive impact of the 1534 Luther Bible, which transcended all previous German translations. Before Luther, access to vernacular Bibles was limited by high prices and complex language. However, by embracing the principles of $sola scriptura$ (the ultimate authority of Scripture in matters of faith) and encouraging common readers to interpret the text, Luther’s translation achieved an unprecedented reach. Between 1522 and Luther's death in 1546, over 300 High German Bible editions were published, reaching a collective circulation of over half a million copies—a monumental figure for the nascent 16th-century book market. Furthermore, Luther's writings accounted for a staggering one-third of all German-language book production in the first half of the 16th century, cementing his role not just as a reformer, but as the foundational figure of modern German written language.

Publishers

• Publisher: TASCHEN GMBH
• Copyright: 2002
• Printing: Printed in Spain

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