New Spring Course

HST 604/704: The Bible and the Reformation with Dr. Erik Herrmann

“The history of the Church is the history of biblical exegesis.” In the study of Christian history, too often the Bible is treated as a waxen nose, twisted to fit whatever political, social or philosophical forces drive men and women to act. But what if we ascribed to the Bible the same importance and power that the historical figures we study did?

Come explore how the Bible shaped church history, especially in the Reformation period when the study and debate over the meaning of the Scriptures was especially pronounced and urgent. Luther, Zwingli, Melanchthon, Bucer, Oecolampadius, Calvin—these are a few of the interpreters that we will examine, with an eye to how their reading of the Bible continues to influence us today.

Eric Hermann, Ph.D. is internationally recognized for his research, writing prolifically on Luther, Lutheran Theology, and the Reformation. Dr. Herrmann has authored several works in Reformation Biblical interpretation such as:

·  Quid Igitur Lex? Salvation History and the Law in Martin Luther Early Interpretation of Paul. Götingen: Vanderhoeck & Ruprecht, forthcoming.

·  From Witenberg to the World: Essays on the Reformation and Its Legacy in Honor of Robert Kolb, eds. Charles P. Arand, Erik H. Herrmann, and Daniel L. Matson. Götingen: Vanderhoeck & Ruprecht, 2018.

·  The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 1520: The Annotated Luther, Study Edition. Fortress Press: 2016.

·  “Luther’s Approach to the Bible,” introductory essay for Martin Luther’s Large Catechism with Annotations and Essays, St. Louis: CPH, 2022, 13-18.

·  “Evangelical Grammar: Luther, the Genitive, and the Gospel,” in Preaching and Teaching the Reformation: Essays in Honor of Timothy J. Wengert’s 70th Birthday. Eds. Martin Lohrmann and Luka Ilic. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2021.

·  “Luther and the Importance of the Hebrew Heritage for His World of Thought” in Simul: Inquiries into Luther’s Experience of the Christian Life. Eds. Torbjörn Johansson, Daniel Johansson, Robert Kolb. Götingen: Vanderhoeck & Ruprecht, 2021, 49-61.

·  “Luther’s Divine Aeneid: Continuity and Creativity in Reforming the Use of the Bible,” in Lutherjahrbuch (2018): 85-109.

·  “A Lutheran Response to the Reformed Tradition,” in God’s Two Words: Law and Gospel in the Lutheran and Reformed Traditions. Edited by Jonathan A. Linebaugh. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2018, 155-182.

·  “The Relevance of Remembering the Reformation,” in Concordia Journal 43 (Fall 2017), 17-28.

·  “Commentary on Psalm 118, 1530,” in The Annotated Luther, Volume 6: The Interpretation of Scripture. Ed. Euan Cameron. Fortress Press: 2017, 247-318.

·  “Biblical Commentary: New Testament” in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Martin Luther. Oxford University Press: 2017.

·  “Preface to the Wittenberg Edition of Luther’s German Writings, 1539” in The Annotated Luther, Volume 4: Pastoral Writings. Ed. Mary Jane Haemig. Fortress Press: 2016, pp. 475-488.

·  “Luther’s Absorption of Medieval Biblical Interpretation and His Use of the Church Fathers,” in The Oxford Handbook to the Theology of Martin Luther, eds. Robert Kolb, Irena Dingel, Lubomir Batka. Oxford University Press: 2014, 71-90.

For more information, contact Joel Williams at jwilliams@ilt.edu or call 605-692-9337.