Item Information

Eyn Deutsch Theologia das is Eyn edles Büchleyn, von rechtem vorstandt, was Adam vnd Christus sey, vnd wie Adam yn vns sterben, vn[d] Christ ersteen sall; Title page recto

A German Theology, That is a Noble Booklet, That Rightly Understands What Adam and Christ Are, and How Adam Should Die and Christ Should Arise in Us

Christian life--Middle Ages

Mysticism

Germany

Luther edited and wrote the preface to the Theologia Germanica. This anonymous 14th century mystical work enjoined union with God and self-renunciation and was a favorite of Luther’s. In addition to its theology, the fact that it was written in German energized Luther’s view that vernacular language could be a suitable medium for the transcendent. From the preface: "...I will have every one warned who reads this little book, that he should not take offence, to his own hurt, at its bad German, or its crabbed and uncouth words. For this noble book, though it be poor and rude in words, is so much the richer and more precious in knowledge and divine wisdom…Let as many as will, read this little book, and then say whether theology is a new or an old thing among us; for this book is not new. But if they say as before, that we are but German theologians, we will not deny it. I thank God, that I have heard and found my God in the German tongue, as neither I nor they have yet found Him in the Latin, Greek, or Hebrew tongue. God grant that this book may be spread abroad, then we shall find that the German theologians are without doubt the best theologians."

Franckforter

Luther, Martin, 1483-1546. Vorrede zu der vollständigen Ausgabe der Theologia Deutsch

Rhau-Grunenberg, Johann, active 1508-1525

durch Joha[n]nem Grünenb

[1520]

No Copyright - United States

German

Still Image

4528401

1520

Gedruckt zu Wittenbergk

books

[76] pages ; 22 cm (quarto)

Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University

Tower

03-B1951

original filename:1900200034

Author hypothetically identified as Johannes de Francfordia. Cf. Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche. 2d ed., v. 10, column 62

"Vorrhede" signed: Doctor Martinus Luther

Imprint from colophon; date in colophon: Nach Christ gepurt tausent funffhundert vnd zwentzigsten JAR. Am abent Sancti Michaelis

Signatures: A-H⁴ I⁶

Image on title page, woodcut of the resurrection of Adam

recto, title page

reformatted digital