Herberger's "Other" Postils

Valerius Herberger, known in his life time as the "Jesus preacher" and "Little Luther," was a prolific writer of sermons. Besides preaching Sundays, festivals, and weekdays (a duty shared from the time of his diaconal service in 1599 until his death in the preaching office in Fraustadt in 1627), he found time to publish meditations and literary postils on the Pentateuch and early histories Joshua, Judges, Ruth—these occupying about 1200 folio pages—the first twenty-three psalms, the book of Sirach (in 97 sermons), Christmas and the Passion from the four Evangelists, and the New Jerusalem from the book of Revelation, and several volumes of funeral sermons, in addition to his regular Sunday and festival sermons on the Epistles and Gospels. Toward the end of his life, he was preparing several of these for publication, many manuscripts no doubt being copied for the press by his son Zacharias and published only posthumously, in some cases not until the 18th century. 

Among all these works we also find the curiously named Geistreiche Stoppel-Postilla, meaning spiritual gleanings-postil (Stoppel is a cognate of the English word stubble), in Latin "Spicilegium." The term is agricultural and refers to the produce gleaned or manually harvested from the edges, corners, and margins of the field after the main work has been done. Here Herberger harvested a storehouse of sermons on pericopes throughout the Gospels and Acts not generally treated in the regular course of the church year. He does not cover all the remnants of each Gospel, however, but as you can see, begins with Matthew, and tends to avoid repeating parallel passages in the other Gospels, resulting in 103 sermons of about 6 folio pages each on average. Especially noteworthy is the paucity of Marcan sermons here. Acts, meanwhile, consumes 87 sermons of similar length. Since this may prove of interest to others, I provide a list of the contents here. The page numbers refer to those of the Leipzig Gleditsch edition of 1715 (see image above).

Part One: Gleanings from the Holy Gospels

• 1. Matthew 1 — p. 1
• 2. Matthew 3a. — p. 9
• 3. Matthew 3b. — p. 19 * another version of this sermon appears in his Evangelische Hertz-Postille.
• 4. Matthew 4:12-17  — p. 28
• 5. Matthew 3:23–25 — p. 34
• 6. Matthew 5:1–12 — p. 41
• 7. Mathew 5:13–16 — p. 49
• 8. Matthew 5:17–19 — p. 57
• 9. Matthew 5:27–end — p. 65
• 10. Matthew 5:38–6:4 — p. 73
• 11. Matthew 6:5–13 — p. 80
• 12. Matthew 6:16–23 — p. 86
• 13. Matthew 7:6–14 — p. 94
• 14. Matthew 7:24–fin. — p. 101
• 15. Matthew 8:14–17 — p. 107
• 16. Matthew 8:18–22 — p. 112
• 17. Matthew 8:17–22 & Luke 9:61–62 — p. 117
• 18. Matthew 8:28–fin, 9:1 — p. 122
• 19. Matthew 9:14–17 — p. 127
• 20. Matthew 9:35–fin. — p. 132
• 21. Matthew 10:1–4 — p. 137
• 22. Matthew 10:5-15 — p. 142
• 23. Matthew 10:16 — p. 148
• 24. Matthew 10:17–27 — p. 153
• 25. Matthew 10:28–32 — p. 160
• 26. Matthew 10:34–fin. — p. 168
• 27. Matthew 11:11–15 — p. 174
• 28. Matthew 11:16–24 — p. 180
• 29. Matthew 12:1–21 — p. 186
• 30. Matthew 12:31–37 — p. 191
• 31. Matthew 12:28–31 — p. 196
• 32. Matthew 12:42 — p. 200
• 33. Matthew 12:46–fin. — p. 205
• 34. Matthew 13:44 — p. 210
• 35. Matthew 13:47–fin. — p. 215
• 36. Matthew 14:1–12. — p. 219
• 37. Beheading of John (Mark 6:17–29) — p. 225
• 38. Matthew 14:22-fin. — p. 231
• 39. Matthew 15:1—20 — p. 237
• 40. Matthew 16:1–12 — p. 242
• 41. Matthew 16:21–fin. — p. 248
• 42. Matthew 17:1–9 — p. 254
• 43. Matthew 17:10–13 — p. 260
• 44. Matthew 17:14–21 — p. 264
• 45. Matthew 17:22–fin. — p. 269
• 46. Matthew 18:15–20. — p. 274
• 47. Matthew 19:1–15 — p. 280
• 48. Matthew 19:16–26 — p. 284
• 49. Matthew 21:23–32. — p. 289
• 50. Matthew 21:33–fin. — p. 295 {“275”}
• 51. Matthew 22:23–33 — p. 299
• 52. Matthew 23:1—33 — p. 305
• 53. Matthew 23:34–fin. — p. 311
• 54. Matthew 24:1—14. — p. 316

• 1. Mark 8:22–26. — p. 322
• 2. Mark 9:49–50 — p. 327
• 3. Mark 12:41–44 — p. 331
• 4. Mark 13:33–fin. — p. 332

• 1. Luke 1:1–4 — p. 338
• 2. Luke 1:5–25 — p. 341
• 3. Luke 4:33–fin. — p. 346
• 4. Luke 11:1–13 — p. 351
• 5. Luke 12:13–21 — p. 356
• 6. Luke 13:1–5 — p. 362
• 7. Luke 13:6–9 — p. 366
• 8. Luke 13:10–17 — p. 370
• 9. Luke 13:31–fin. — p. 373
• 10. Luke 14:25—33 — p. 378
• 11. Luke 17:7–10 — p. 384
• 12. Luke 22:31–38 — p. 391

• 1. John 1:15–18 — p. 396
• 2. John 1:29–34 — p. 400
• 3. John 1:43–fin. — p. 406
• 4. John 2:12–fin. — p. 411
• 5. John 3:22–fin.— p. 418
• 6. John 4:1–14 — p. 426
• 7. John 4:15–24. — p. 431
• 8. John 4:25–46. — p. 437
• 9. John 5:19–30 — p. 442
• 10. John 5:31–fin. — p. 448
• 11. John 6:23–58 — p. 454
• 12. John 6:27, 33, 35, 47, 51, 58 — p. 460
• 13. John 6:59–fin. — p. 465
• 14. John 7:1–13 — p. 470
• 15. John 7:14–39 — p. 475
• 16. John 7:40–fin. — p. 481
• 17. John 8:1–20 — p. 486
• 18. John 8:21–30 — p. 492
• 19. John 8:31–45 — p. 497
• 20. John 9:1–17 — p. 502
• 21. John 9:18–fin. — p. 507
• 22. John 10:17–31 — p. 513
• 23. John 10:31–fin. — p. 517
• 24. John 12:27–30 — p. 523
• 25. John 12:31–fin. — p. 528
• 26. John 13:18–fin. — p. 534
• 27. John 14:15–23. — p. 539
• 28. John 16:30–fin. — p. 544
• 29. John 17:1–5 — p. 548
• 30. John 17:6–19 (parts 1–4) — p. 554
• 31. John 17:6–19 (part 5) — p. 559
• 32. John 17:20–23 — p. 564
• 33. John 17:24–fin. — p. 568

Part Two: Gleanings from the Acts of the Holy Apostles

• 1. Acts 3:1–8 — p. 1
• 2. Acts 3:9–16 — p. 5
• 3. Acts 3:17–fin. — p. 10
• 4. Acts 4:1–12 — p. 16
• 5. Acts 4:13–22 — p. 20
• 6. Acts 4:23–31 — p. 25
• 7. Acts 4:32–fin. — p. 30
• 8. Acts 5:1–11 — p. 34
• 9. Acts 5:12–16 — p. 39
• 10. Acts 5:17–21 — p. 44
• 11. Acts 5:21–32 — p. 48
• 12. Acts 5:33–40 — p. 53
• 13. Acts 5:40–fin. — p. 57
• 14. Acts 6:1–7 — p. 61
• 15. Acts 8:1–8 — p. 65
• 16. Acts 8:9–13 — p. 69
• 17. Acts 8:14–25 — p. 73
• 18. Acts 8:26–fin. (I: of Philip) — p. 77
• 19. Acts 8:26–fin. (II: of the Eunuch) — p. 82
• 20. Acts 9:23–25 — p. 87
• 21. Acts 9:26–30 — p. 91
• 22. Acts 9:31 — p. 95
• 23. Acts 9:32–35 — p. 100
• 24. Acts 9:36–43 — p. 104
• 25. Acts 11:1–18 — p. 108
• 26. Acts 11:19–26 — p. 113
• 27. Acts 11:27–30; 12:25 — p. 118
• 28. Acts 13:1–12 — p. 123
• 29. Acts 13:13–41 (Paul & Barnabas) — p. 128
• 30. Acts 13:16–41 (Paul’s sermon) — p. 133
• 31. Acts 13:42–43 — p. 139
• 32. Acts 13:44–fin. — p. 143
• 33. Acts 14:1–7 14834. Acts 14:8–18 — p. 152
• 35. Acts 14:19–fin. — p. 157
• 36. Acts 15:1–4 — p. 162
• 37. Acts 15:5—21 — p. 168
• 38. Acts 15:22–29 — p. 174
• 39. Acts 15:30–35 — p. 179
• 40. Acts 15:36–fin. — p. 184
• 41. Acts 16:1–10 — p. 190
• 42. Acts 16:11—15 — p. 195
• 43. Acts 16:16–24 — p. 200
• 44. Acts 16:25–34 — p. 206
• 45. Acts 16:35–fin. — p. 211
• 46. Acts 17:1-10 — p. 216
• 47. Acts 17:10–15 — p. 221
• 48. Acts 17:16–21 — p. 227
• 49. Acts 17:22–fin. — p. 233
• 50. Acts 18:1–11 — p. 239
• 51. Acts 18:12–17 — p. 245
• 52. Acts 18:18–fin. — p. 249
• 53. Acts 19:1–7 — p. 255
• 54. Acts 19:8–12 — p. 259
• 55. Acts 19:13–20 — p. 264
• 56. Acts 19:21–34 — p. 270
• 57. Acts 19:35–fin. — p. 275
• 58. Acts 20:1–12 — p. 280
• 59. Acts 20:13–17 — p. 286
• 60. Acts 20:18–fin. — p. 290
• 61. Acts 21:1–6 — p. 296
• 62. Acts 21:7–14 — p. 302
• 63. Acts 21:15–20 — p. 308
• 64. Acts 21:20–30 — p. 313
• 65. Acts 21:31–fin. — p. 319
• 66. Acts 22:1–22 — p. 324
• 67. Acts 22:23–29 — p. 330
• 68. Acts 22:30–23:6 — p. 336
• 69. Acts 23:6–11 — p. 341
• 70. Acts 23:12–16 — p. 345
• 71. Acts 23:17–fin. — p. 350
• 72. Acts 24:1–4 — p. 358
• 73. Acts 24:5–21 — p. 363
• 74. Acts 24:22–27 — p. 368
• 75. Acts 25:1–12 — p. 374
• 76. Acts 25:13–fin. — p. 379
• 77. Acts 26:1–24 — p. 285
• 78. Acts 26:24–fin. — p. 392
• 79. Acts 27:1–13 — p. 398
• 80. Acts 27:14–26 — p. 403
• 81. Acts 27:27–41 — p. 409
• 82. Acts 27:42–fin. — p. 414
• 83. Acts 28:1–6 — p. 419
• 84. Acts 28:7–10 — p. 424
• 85. Acts 28:11–16 — p. 428
• 86. Acts 28:17–22 — p. 434
• 87. Acts 28:23–fin. — p. 439

Mayes Bible Chapter Summaries

Over the years I have followed Johann Gerhard's advice (Method of Theological Study) and have written very short summaries of each chapter of the Bible. In 2019 I began to have students at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, memorize some of these as a way of taking the basic themes of Scripture to heart. One of my students, Austin Meier, liked the exercise so much that he requested the summaries for the rest of the Bible, and then typed them up. So here they are for your edification!

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis

1. Creation.
2. Woman.
3. Sin.
4. Cain & Abel.
5. Adam to Noah.
6. Noah.
7. Flood.
8. End of flood.
9. Covenant and rainbow. Noah’s drunken nakedness.
10. Genealogy.
11. Tower of Babel. Terah emigrates.
12. Promises to Abram; sojourn in Egypt.
13. Abram returns to Canaan. Separation from Lot.
14. Rescue of Lot. Melchizedek.
15. Theophany of smoking oven & burning torch.
16. Nativity of Ishmael.
17. Abraham and Sarah are renamed. Circumcision.
18. Theophany of three men. Intercession for Sodom. 
19. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
20. Abraham deceives King Abimelech re. Sarah.
21. Birth of Isaac. Departure of Hagar & Ishmael.
22. Sacrifice of Isaac.
23. Death of Sarah.
24. Betrothal and marriage of Rebekah to Isaac.
25. Death of Abraham. Birth of Jacob & Esau.
26. Sojourn in Gerar. Theophany.
27. Jacob gets Isaac’s blessing.
28. Theophany - dream at Bethel.
29. Jacob marries Leah and Rachel. Leah’s sons.
30. Increase of Jacob’s sons and flock.
31. Jacob and family escape from Laban.
32. Jacob wrestles with God.
33. Jacob meets Esau.
34. Rape of Dinah. Vengeance.
35. Theophany to Israel. Death of Rachel & Isaac.
36. Genealogy of Esau.
37. Joseph is sold into Egyptian slavery.
38. Sins of Judah, Tamar, and Onan.
39. Joseph’s chastity.
40. Joseph interprets dreams of butler & baker.
41. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and is promoted.
42. Joseph tests his brothers.
43. Joseph’s brothers return, bow down, and eat with him.
44. Joseph frames Benjamin. Judah’s self-sacrifice.
45. Joseph reveals himself.
46. God’s permission to descend to Egypt.
47. Joseph buys Egypt. Swears oath to Jacob.
48. Jacob blesses, puts the last first, & the first last.
49. Jacob’s last words and death. Shiloh.
50. Burial of Jacob. Joseph consoles brothers.

Exodus

1. Pharaoh’s population control efforts.
2. Moses’ manslaughter. Sojourn & marriage in Midian.
3. Theophany in the burning bush. Call of Moses.
4. Instructions to Moses. Moses & Aaron return.
5. Straw is withheld. Servitude becomes harsher.
6. The Lord reveals His name, commands. Fathers of the Levites.
7. Aaron’s staff, a snake. Plague of blood.
8. Plagues of frogs, lice, and flies.
9. Plagues of livestock disease, boils, hail.
10. Plagues of locusts and darkness.
11. Proclamation of Plague of death of firstborn.
12. Passover, tenth plague, exodus in haste.
13. Ceremonial laws about firstborn, unleavened bread.
14. Crossing the Red Sea.
15. Song of Moses, waters of Marah.
16. Bread from heaven.
17. Water from the rock. Holding up the prophet’s hands.
18. Jethro sacrifices; appellate judges.
19. The kingdom of priests is sanctified. The Lord’s presence.
20. Decalog. Altar.
21. Slaves, violence, and animals.
22. Theft and restitution. Fornication. Etc.
23. Justice. Church year. Angel.
24. Glory of the Lord on Mt. Sinai.
25. Appointments of Tabernacle.
26. Tabernacle.
27. Altar.
28. Vestments.
29. Ordination. Offerings.
30. Incense, water, oil.
31. Artisans; Sabbath.
32. The molded calf.
33. The presence of the LORD.
34. The LORD proclaims the LORD. Repeated laws. Veil.
35. Offerings for the Tabernacle. Artisans.
36. Building the Tabernacle.
37. Making the Ark and other furniture.
38. Making the altar and court.
39. Making the vestments.
40. The Tabernacle erected.

Leviticus

1. Burnt offering.
2. Grain offering.
3. Peace offering.
4. Sin offering.
5. Trespass offering.
6. Law of the offerings.
7. Law of the offerings.
8. Aaron and his sons consecrated.
9. Moses & Aaron make atonement for the people.
10. Profane fire.
11. Foods.
12. Purification of mothers. 
13. Diagnosing leprosy.
14. Cleansing leprosy.
15. Discharges.
16. Day of Atonement.
17. Blood.
18. Incest. Fornication. Sodomy.
19. Casuistry. Application of the Decalog.
20. Penalties. 2nd and 6th commandments.
21. Priestly holiness.
22. Priestly food. Perfect sacrifices.
23. Church year.
24. Blasphemy. Retributive justice.
25. Sabbath year and jubilee. Land and slaves.
26. Blessing and curse.
27. Sanctifying and redeeming property.

Numbers

1. Muster.
2. Camps.
3. Levites.
4. Packing the holy things.
5. Law of jealousy.
6. Nazirites. Aaronic blessing.
7. Dedication offering for the altar.
8. Ordination of Levites.
9. Cloud and fire. Tardy passover.
10. Marching order.
11. Seventy elders prophesy. Quail. 
12. Dissension of Aaron and Miriam.
13. Spies.
14. Refusal to enter the land.
15. Offerings. Unintentional and presumptuous sins.
16. Korah’s rebellion.
17. Budding of Aaron’s rod.
18. Duties and income of priests and Levites.
19. Red heifer, water of purification.
20. Moses strikes the rock at Meribah. Aaron dies.
21. Bronze serpent. Sihon King of the Amorites and Og King of Bashan.
22. Balak calls Balaam.
23. First two oracles blessing Israel.
24. Last two oracles blessing Israel, and a prophecy of Christ.
25. Phineas turns back God’s wrath.
26. Muster.
27. Inauguration of Joshua with imposition of hands.
28. Offerings for the liturgical calendar.
29. Offerings for the liturgical calendar.
30. Vows of women.
31. Conquest and plundering of Midian.
32. Negotiations about settling east of the Jordan.
33. Israel’s itinerary. Dispossess Canaanites!
34. Boundaries.
35. Cities of refuge.
36. Marriage of female landholders.

Deuteronomy

1. Israel’s rebellion.
2. King Sihon defeated.
3. King Og defeated. Division of land east of Jordan.
4. Two covenants. Beware idolatry!
5. Decalog.
6. Shema.
7. Polemics commanded.
8. Purpose of testing. Danger of prosperity.
9. Moses interceded for rebellious Israel.
10. The essence of the Law.
11. The Law’s conditional blessing.
12. Sanctuary.
13. Punishment for idolatry.
14. Diet. Tithes.
15. Sabbath year.
16. Church year.
17. Judges and Kings.
18. The new Prophet.
19. Justice.
20. Warfare.
21. Laws concerning murder and family.
22. Fornication, Rape.
23. External purity.
24. Care for the poor.
25. Jurisprudence. Levirite marriage.
26. Firstfruits and confession of faith.
27. Altar and curses at Mt. Ebal.
28. Blessings and many curses.
29. Covenant in Moab: Preface.
30. Covenant in Moab: Circumcised hearts.
31. Inauguration of Joshua. Prediction of rebellion.
32. Song of Moses.
33. Moses’ final blessing.
34. Death of Moses.

Joshua

1. Joshua’s authority.
2. Rahab’s covenant with the spies.
3. The people pass over.
4. Memorial stones.
5. Circumcision. Theophany.
6. Destruction of Jericho.
7. Aachan’s sin.
8. Destruction of Ai. Blessings and curses at Ebal and Gerizim.
9. Covenant with Gibeonites.
10. Joshua vs. five southern kings. The sun and moon stand still.
11. Northern conquest.
12. List of conquered kings.
13. Division of land east of Jordan.
14. Caleb inherits Hebron.
15. Land of Judah.
16. Land of Ephraim and Manasseh.
17. More land for Ephraim and Manasseh.
18. Tabernacle at Shiloh. Land of Benjamin.
19. Rest of the land divided.
20. Cities of refuge.
21. Cities of the Levites.
22. The altar of witness by the Jordan.
23. Joshua’s last words.
24. “Choose whom you will serve.”

Judges

1. Conquest incomplete.
2. Israel’s idolatry.
3. Ehud.
4. Deborah, Joel.
5. Song of Deborah.
6. Gideon and the Angel of the Lord.
7. Gideon’s victory.
8. Gideon kills Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon’s idolatry and death.
9. Abimelech.
10. Idolatry. Oppression by Ammon and Philistia.
11. Jephthah’s daughter.
12. “Shibboleth.”
13. Annunciation regarding Samson.
14. Samson’s wedding.
15. Samson wars against the Philistines.
16. Samson’s death.
17. Micah’s idolatry.
18. Danites steal Micah’s idols and priest.
19. Rape and death of the Levite’s concubine.
20. Civil war against the Benjamites.
21. Stealing wives.

Ruth

1. Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem.
2. The kindness of Boaz.
3. Ruth proposes marriage.
4. Levirite marriage of Ruth.

1 Samuel

1. Hannah lends Samuel to the Lord.
2. Hannah’s song. Prophecy against Eli’s house.
3. Samuel becomes a prophet.
4. Ark is captured. Eli and sons die.
5. The ark and Dagon in Ashdod.
6. The ark returns. People look inside and are killed.
7. Samuel judges. Ebenezer.
8. Israel demands a king.
9. God chooses Saul to be king.
10. Saul is anointed and prophesies. Saul is proclaimed king at Mizpah.
11. Saul saves Jabesh Gilead.
12. Samuel’s address at Saul’s coronation.
13. Saul’s unlawful sacrifice.
14. Saul’s wars. Rash oath.
15. Saul disobeys and is rejected as king.
16. David anointed. Distressing spirit from the Lord.
17. David and Goliath.
18. The dowry of 200 foreskins.
19. Saul persecutes David. David flees to Samuel.
20. Jonathan sends David away.
21. David receives the holy bread and the sword of Goliath.
22. Saul murders the priests.
23. Fugitive David pursued by Saul.
24. David spares Saul the first time.
25. Abigail and Nabal.
26. David spares Saul the second time.
27. David moves to Philistia.
28. The witch of En Dor.
29. Philistines reject David.
30. Battle with Amalekite plunderers.
31. Death of Saul and his sons.

2 Samuel

1. Regicide.
2. Israel divided between David and Ishbosheth.
3. Joab murders Abner.
4. Ishbosheth is murdered.
5. David is anointed king of all Israel.
6. David brings ark to Jerusalem; acts as priest.
7. God’s covenant with David; David’s prayer.
8. Conquest of Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Syria.
9. Mephibosheth.
10. David’s diplomats mistreated. War with Ammon and Syria.
11. David’s adultery and murder.
12. David repents, but infant son dies. Solomon born.
13. Ammon rapes Tamar. Absalom’s revenge.
14. Absalom returns.
15. Absalom’s treason.
16. Ziba, Shimei. Absalom and David’s concubines.
17. Hushai’s counsel.
18. Death of Absalom.
19. Return of the king.
20. Rebellion of Sheba.
21. Curse due to Gibeonites removed by death of innocent men?
22. Psalm 18: David’s innocence; God’s deliverance.
23. David’s last words; his mighty men.
24. Census. Plague. Atonement.

1 Kings

1. Solomon confirmed in his kingdom.
2. Solomon’s justice.
3. Solomon’s wisdom.
4. Prosperity of Solomon’s kingdom.
5. Material for the Temple.
6. Construction of the Temple.
7. Furnishings for the Temple.
8. Consecration of the Temple.
9. The Lord’s second appearance to Solomon.
10. Queen of Sheba.
11. Solomon’s idolatry.
12. Israel divided from Judah.
13. Man of God from Judah.
14. Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam of Israel. Rehoboam of Judah; evil in Judah.
15. Evil Abijam and good Asa of Judah. Evil Nadab and Baasha of Israel.
16. Elah, Zimri, Omri and Ahab of Israel. Building of Samaria. Cult of Baal.
17. Elijah and the widow of Zarephath.
18. Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
19. A still small voice. Call of Elisha.
20. Ahab defeats the Syrians. Prophecy against him.
21. Naboth’s vineyard. Ahab’s repentance.
22. Death of Ahab. Good king Jehoshaphat of Judah. Ahaziah of Israel.

2 Kings

1. Death of Ahaziah. Elijah’s fire from heaven.
2. Assumption of Elijah; Elisha’s miracles.
3. Defeat of Moab.
4. Elisha’s miracles.
5. Naaman’s leprosy.
6. Miracles. Syrian siege of Samaria.
7. Elisha’s prophecy. Syrians flee.
8. Death of king of Syria. Evil Jehoram and Ahaziah of Judah.
9. Jehu kills Jehoram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel.
10. Jehu destroys the households of Ahaz, and massacres the worshipers of Baal.
11. Evil Athaliah of Judah. Coronation of Joash/Jehoash.
12. Good Joash of Judah repairs the temple.
13. Jehoahaz and Jehoash of Israel. Death of Elisha. Miraculous relics of Elisha.
14. Good Amaziah of Judah. Jeroboam II of Israel.
15. Good Azariah of Judah. Zechariah, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah of Israel. Good Jotham of Judah.
16. Evil Ahaz of Judah. New altar.
17. Hoshea of Israel. Assyrian captivity. Samaritan syncretism.
18. Good Hezekiah of Judah. Assyrian siege of Jerusalem.
19. God’s deliverance spoken through Isaiah.
20. Hezekiah’s illness, healing, and death.
21. Manasseh and Amon of Judah.
22. Good Josiah of Judah. Book of the Law is found.
23. Josiah’s reformation. Evil Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim of Judah.
24. Evil Jehoiachin of Judah. Babylonian exile. Evil Zedekiah.
25. Siege of Jerusalem. Destruction of the Temple.

1 Chronicles

1. Genealogy from Adam to kings of Edom.
2. Genealogy of some families of Judah.
3. Genealogy of house of David, kings of Judah.
4. Genealogies of Judah and Simeon.
5. Reubenites, Gadites, East Manassehites.
6. Levites. Musicians.
7. Etc.
8. Saul’s family.
9. Priests and Levites. Family of Saul.
10. Death of Saul.
11. David’s mighty men.
12. David’s army.
13. David brings up the ark.
14. David defeats Philistines.
15. David follows the rubrics: Levites bring up the ark.
16. Medley of David’s Psalms.
17. Prophecy of David’s Seed.
18. David’s conquests.
19. Ammonites shame David’s servants.
20. War against Ammon and Philistia.
21. Census and plague; altar in Jerusalem.
22. David prepares for the temple.
23. Genealogy and duties of the Levites.
24. Genealogy of priests and Levites.
25. Levitical musicians.
26. Gatekeepers, treasuries, and other duties.
27. National Guard, princes, other royal officials.
28. David instructs Solomon to build the temple.
29. Offerings and thanksgiving. Solomon is king.

2 Chronicles

1. Solomon’s sacrifice and prayer for wisdom.
2. Solomon requests Hiram’s help for the new temple.
3. Solomon builds the temple on Mt. Moriah.
4. Furnishings of the temple.
5. Ark and glory of God fill the temple.
6. Solomon’s speech and prayer.
7. Solomon dedicates the temple. God’s promise and threat to Solomon.
8. Solomon’s construction and victories.
9. Queen of Sheba.
10. Rebellion against Rehoboam.
11. Levites and faithful Israelites come to Judah.
12. Rehoboam acts wickedly and repents. Subjection to Egypt.
13. Abijah’s speech against Jeroboam.
14. Asa’s prayer before battle against Ethiopia.
15. Oded’s prophecy and Asa’s reformation.
16. Asa relies on Syria. Hanani’s rebuke.
17. Jehoshaphat appints preachers.
18. Micaiah’s prophecy against Ahab.
19. Civil and ecclesiastical courts.
20. Jehoshaphat prayer of repentance. Jahaziel’s prophecy.
21. Elijah’s letter against Jehoram.
22. Jehu kills Ahaziah. Athaliah’s reign.
23. Jehoiada’s regime change and reformation.
24. Temple repaired. Joash’s apostasy. Regicide.
25. Amaziah is warned by prophets.
26. Uzziah punished for unauthorized ministry.
27. Jotham.
28. Obed’s rebuke. Ahaz closes temple.
29. Hezekiah’s reformation.
30. Hezekiah’s Passover. Mission to Israel.
31. Reformation extended to the land. 
32. Jerusalem saved from Assyria.
33. Manasseh’s apostasy and repentance.
34. Josiah’s reformation. Hilkiah finds Book of the law.
35. Josiah’s Passover.
36. Captivity and restoration.

Ezra

1. Command to build temple. Sacred vessels restored.
2. Genealogies, especially of priests.
3. Sacrifices restored. Temple’s foundation laid.
4. Work is stopped.
5. Zerubbabel continues building the temple.
6. Temple completed. Passover held.
7. Ezra the scribe goes to Jerusalem with a mandate.
8. The company with Ezra. Gifts for the temple.
9. Ezra’s prayer of repentance for Judah’s intermarrying.
10. Confession. Putting away pagan wives.

Nehemiah

1. Nehemiah prays for Judah and Jerusalem.
2. Nehemiah is sent to Jerusalem.
3. Rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.
4. Labor divided between edification and defense.
5. Nehemiah rebukes usury, lives frugally.
6. Amid plots and intimidation, the wall is finished.
7. Register of returned captives.
8. Preaching through the Law.
9. Prayer of the Levites. A covenant is made.
10. Covenant to keep the Law, especially ceremonial and civil.
11. List of Jerusalem’s inhabitants.
12. List of Levites, duty of singers.
13. Nehemiah’s reformation.

Esther

1. Vashti defies Ahasuerus. Patriarchy defended.
2. Favor toward Esther.
3. Genocide of the Jews is commanded.
4. Esther will intercede, commands a fast.
5. Esther’s banquet.
6. Haman is forced to honor Mordecai.
7. Haman is hanged.
8. Royal decree to save the Jews. Self-defense permitted.
9. The Jews’ violent self-defense. Purim.
10. Mordecai’s success.

Job

1. Satan destroys Job’s property and children.
2. Satan attacks Job’s health.
3. Job curses his birth, despairs.
4. That God’s punishment is just.
5. That God punishes sinners but blesses the repentant.
6. Job protests innocence and prays for death.
7. Job prays for death and forgiveness.
8. That God is just, so Job must be a hypocrite.
9. That God is unjust, no Mediator.
10. Did God create Job for reprobation?
11. That God blesses the repentant.
12. No one can resist God. The good suffer, the wicked prosper.
13. Trust amid suffering.
14. Mortality and resurrection.
15. That no man is pure, so Job must be a hypocrite.
16. True seelsorge. That God is Job’s enemy.
17. Job longs for a mediator.
18. Punishment of the wicked.
19. My Redeemer lives.
20. That the wicked are punished quickly.
21. Punishment for the wicked is delayed.
22. That God blesses the repentant.
23. God is testing Job.
24. The wicked are exalted for a little while.
25. That no man is pure in God’s sight.
26. God’s power.
27. Job’s integrity. The rich die.
28. Wisdom is in God.
29. Job’s former days as king.
30. Complaint against mockers and God.
31. Oath of innocence.
32. Young Elihu’s indignation.
33. God may speak in one way, or in another.
34. God is just. Job should not reproach God.
35. Human righteousness and wickedness does not affect God.
36. That God gives justice in this life. Job should humble himself.
37. God’s strength in nature.
38. God questions Job: creation, days 1-5.
39. Creation, days 5-6.
40. Behemoth.
41. Leviathan.
42. Job’s repentance and restoration.

Psalms

1. The two ways and ends.
2. Christ’s passion and eternal generation.
3. Christ’s passion and resurrection.
4. First and second commandment; fraternal admonition.
5. The Lord will bless the righteous, but hates all workers of iniquity.
6. First penitential psalm.
7. Christ’s condemnation and vindication.
8. Two states of Christ.
9. Judgement.
10. Prayer for vindication.
11. Suffering of the righteous is only testing.
12. Eighth and second commandments.
13. Prayer for Christ’s advent.
14. Folly of the godless.
15. New life in Christ.
16. Burial and resurrection of Christ.
17. Prayer of Christ for our salvation.
18. Christ’s advent, merit, victory.
19. Natural revelation.
20. Saving name of God.
21. Communication of attributes.
22. Passion of Christ.
23. Blessings to a regenerate Christian.
24. Advent.
25. Repentance.
26. Dwelling in the Church.
27. Saving presence of the Lord.
28. Christ prays for justice, and for His people’s salvation.
29. Power of the Lord’s Word.
30. Resurrection.
31. For help in trouble.
32. Forgiveness.
33. Call to worship the Creator. Hope.
34. Salvation and behavior of the righteous.
35. Imprecatory Psalm. Passion of Christ.
36. Rebuke of the wicked. God’s loving kindness.
37. The Lord loves justice and does not forsake His saints.
38. Repentance.
39. Death. Repentance.
40. Advent. Passion.
41. Judas betrayal.
42. Remembrance of Baptism.
43. Deliver us from evil.
44. Testing. Martyrdom.
45. Incarnation. Union of Christ and the Church.
46. A mighty fortress is our God.
47. Christ’s ascension and session.
48. The Church.
49. Against trust in wealth.
50. Last judgment.
51. Repentance.
52. The end of the wicked and righteous.
53. Reproach of atheists.
54. God is my helper.
55. Against traitors. 8th Commandment.
56. Against slanderers. 8th Commandment.
57. Against conspirators. 8th Commandment.
58. Against those who refuse to listen.
59. Christ’s Innocence. Conversion.
60. Prayer for the Church militant.
61. God shelters the Church.
62. In God is my salvation.
63. Love of God. 1st Commandment.
64. Passion and resurrection of Christ.
65. Calling the nations to the Church.
66. Tentatio. Praise.
67. Calling the nations to praise God.
68. Presence of God in Church. Ascension.
69. Passion of Christ and rejection of the Jews.
70. Prayer for persecutors.
71. Tentatio and deliverance.
72. Incarnation. Epiphany. Calling the nations.
73. Theology of the cross.
74. Church’s prayer amid persecution.
75. God is the Judge.
76. Fear of God (1st and 2nd Comm.).
77. Tentatio. Remembering God’s work of exodus.
78. Rebellion and remembrance.
79. Church’s prayer amid persecution.
80. Advent.
81. Third commandment. Rebellion.
82. Duty of princes.
83. Evangelism by calamity.
84. Desiring Christ’s presence in the church.
85. Confession has two parts.
86. Benefits of Christ’s passion.
87. Church and Baptism.
88. Christ’s passion.
89. God’s love and forsaking of Christ.
90. Man’s mortality.
91. God protects His faithful.
92. The flourishing wicked will be destroyed, but the righteous will flourish forever.
93. Incarnation of the Word.
94. Destruction of our persecutors.
95. Second commandment.
96. Calling of the Gentiles.
97. End of the world and final judgment.
98. Advent and incarnation.
99. Constitution of God’s kingdom.
100. Public worship.
101. Holy church. Discipline.
102. Tentatio. Prayer for God’s Advent.
103. Removal of transgression.
104. Creation and new creation.
105. Exodus.
106. Rebellion and atonement.
107. God’s affliction and loving kindness. Calling of the Gentiles.
108. Calling of the Gentiles.
109. Judas.
110. Divinity of Christ.
111. New covenant.
112. Blessings upon the upright from Christ the Good Man.
113. God’s mercy to the humble. Calling of the Gentiles.
114. Presence of God.
115. First commandment.
116. Prayer of martyrs.
117. Calling of the Gentiles.
118. Passion and resurrection of Christ. Gathering the Church.

119.
Aleph - Doctrine.
Beth - Delights of the Lord’s house.
Gimel - Rebuke the proud.
Daleth - Revive me.
He - Incline my heart.
Waw - Faith, hope, and love.
Zayin - Comfort.
Heth - Conversion to obedience.
Teth - Goodness of affliction.
Yod - Let me not be ashamed.
Kaph - Wrongful persecution.
Lamed - Life-giving eternal Word.
Mem - Wisdom.
Nun - I do not forget Your law.
Samek - Shield.
Ayin - I am Your servant.
Pe - Enlightenment.
Tsadde - Righteousness.
Qoph - Hear my cry.
Resh - Revive me.
Shin - I love Your law.
Tau - I will praise You.

120. Affliction.
121. Divine protection.
122. Joy in communion.
123. Invocation.
124. Thanksgiving.
125. Trust.
126. Patient waiting for deliverance.
127. God’s grace necessary.
128. Fear of the Lord.
129. Martyrdom.
130. Forgiveness.
131. Humility.
132. Desire for the coming of Christ.
133. Concord.
134. Blessing.
135. First commandment.
136. The mercy of the Lord. Confession / thanksgiving.
137. Remembrance of the Church amid captivity.
138. Salvation and worship.
139. God’s omniscience, omnipresence, and creating power.
140. Deliver us from evil.
141. Closed communion. Fraternal correction.
142. Christ prays for resurrection.
143. Penitential Psalm.
144. Protection and blessing.
145. Praise for God’s righteousness.
146. Praise and trust in God alone.
147. Praise the Lord, who gathers the Church.
148. Praise the Lord of heaven and earth.
149. Praise the Lord, O Israel.
150. Praise the Lord.

Proverbs

1. Wisdom speaks: Listen to Me.
2. Wisdom protects you.
3. Wisdom and 1st commandment.
4. Get wisdom, avoid evil. First-article benefits.
5. Beware of adultery.
6. Work. Adultery.
7. Beware of adultery.
8. Essential wisdom, the Son of God.
9. Invitation to the banquet of heavenly wisdom.
10. Righteousness and wickedness.
11. Fruit of righteousness.
12. Eighth commandment.
13. How to prosper.
14. Wisdom in human society.
15. Effects of wisdom. Correction.
16. Providence.
17. Wise speech and peace.
18. Division of friends.
19. Poverty.
20. Commerce.
21. Contentious women, etc.
22. Wealth and riches, etc.
23. Moderation in food and drink.
24. Patience.
25. Politics.
26. Gossip.
27. Diligence.
28. Bad conscience.
29. Discipline from God’s Word.
30. Servants.
31. Virtuous wife.

Ecclesiastes

1. Vanity of earthly life. Grief of wisdom.
2. Vanity of pleasure.
3. God’s judgment. Death.
4. Companionship.
5. Vanity of wealth.
6. Vanity of greed and worldly honor.
7. Vanity of mirth. Quest for wisdom.
8. Kings. Injustice.
9. Death is the fate of both righteous and wicked.
10. Rulers and subjects.
11. Diligence.
12. Death and judgment.

Song of Solomon

1. The Church’s desire for Christ.
2. Communion of Christ and the Church.
3. Advent of Christ.
4. The Church’s beauty.
5. Shulamite does not find the Beloved at His visitation.
6. Church’s beauty.
7. Praise of the Church. Church’s prayer.
8. Love between Christ and the Church.

Isaiah

1. Preaching of repentance.
2. Call of the Gentiles. Return of Christ.
3. Punishment of shameless Jerusalem.
4. Justification of the remnant. Prophecy of Christ.
5. Song of the vineyard. Woe.
6. Isaiah’s prophetic call. Holy, holy, holy.
7. Immanuel.
8. To the law and to the testimony.
9. Christ’s birth, name, and kingdom. God’s anger.
10. Punishment of Assyria.
11. Christ’s Spirit and kingdom.
12. Canticle about “Jesus”.
13. The Medes will destroy Babylon.
14. Fall of Lucifer. Destruction of Babylon, Assyria, & Philistia.
15. Destruction of Moab.
16. Destruction of Moab.
17. Destruction of Syria. Decline and remnant of Israel.
18. Destruction and conversion of Ethiopia.
19. Destruction and conversion of Egypt.
20. Naked Isaiah.
21. Arabia, Edom, and Arabia.
22. Jerusalem. Removal of Shebra.
23. Destruction of Tyre.
24. Destruction of the earth. Last judgment.
25. Removal of death. Coming of Christ.
26. The LORD is Savior, not human works.
27. Gathering Israel to Jerusalem.
28. Cornerstone.
29. Woe and Restoration to Jerusalem. Spiritual blindness and recovery of sight.
30. New creation. Coming of the Lord.
31. Trust in God and the Spirit not in flesh.
32. Happiness of Christ’s kingdom.
33. Preaching of repentance and God’s kingdom.
34. Perpetual destruction of Idumea.
35. Coming of Christ; prophetic office. Church of NT.
36. Assyria besieges Jerusalem.
37. God strikes Sennacherib’s army.
38. Hezekiah’s illness and canticle.
39. Babylonian envoys.
40. Advent of Christ. Creation.
41. God chose Israel, but the heathen choose idols.
42. Christ the justifier.
43. Justification.
44. Work of the Holy Spirit. Against idolatry.
45. Cyrus. First Commandment.
46. Against idols.
47. Destruction of Babylon.
48. Refinement in and release from Babylon.
49. Jesus the Light of the Gentiles and Savior of Israel.
50. Mistreatment and trial of the Servant.
51. God’s comfort. Fury removed.
52. Redemption. Office of the Holy Ministry (OHM). Servant Song.
53. Christ’s passion and resurrection.
54. Covenant of peace.
55. True repentance and God’s Word.
56. House of Prayer for all nations.
57. Warning to idolaters; comfort for believers.
58. True fasting; Sabbath.
59. Injustice; the promised Redeemer.
60. The Church in the last days.
61. The Office of Christ. Calling of the Gentiles.
62. Restoration of Zion. Coming of Christ.
63. Christ’s fight. Trinity. Abraham was ignorant of us.
64. Repentance. Gravity of sin.
65. Remnant. New heavens and earth.
66. New covenant. Virgin birth?

Jeremiah

1. Call of Jeremiah.
2. Reproaches.
3. “Return to Me.”
4. Disaster from the north.
5. “Shall I not punish them for these things?”
6. The fruits of their thoughts.
7. Against Gospel reductionism.
8. Peril of false teaching.
9. Lamentation.
10. The Creator against the manufactured idols.
11. Doom for breaking the covenant.
12. Why do the wicked prosper?
13. Linen sash and wine bottles.
14. Drought. Antinomian prophets.
15. The Lord will not relent.
16. Jeremiah’s celibacy. Babylonian exile and restoration.
17. Wickedness of man’s heart. Sabbath.
18. Potter and clay. Imprecation.
19. Broken flask.
20. Jeremiah in stocks laments his office and birthday.
21. The Lord fights against Jerusalem. Zedekiah’s captivity.
22. Oracles against three kings.
23. Prophecy of Christ, the Branch. False prophets.
24. The sign of good and bad figs.
25. Prophecy of seventy years of captivity.
26. Jeremiah on trial for preaching repentance.
27. Yokes for Judah and his neighbors.
28. Death of Hananiah, the false prophet.
29. Letter to the captives. Thoughts of peace.
30. Restoration of God’s people. Fury against enemies.
31. The new covenant.
32. Jeremiah buys a field.
33. Branch of righteousness.
34. Treachery toward slaves.
35. Obedient Rehabites contrasted with Judah.
36. Jeremiah’s book is written, destroyed, and rewritten.
37. Jeremiah is imprisoned.
38. Jeremiah is rescued from the dungeon. White lie.
39. Fall of Jerusalem; promise to faithful Ebed-Melech.
40. Plot to kill Gedaliah.
41. Johanan defeats Ishmael.
42. “Do not go to Egypt!”
43. Jeremiah is taken to Egypt.
44. Prophecy against idolatrous Jews in Egypt.
45. Prophecy to Baruch.
46. Prophecy against Egypt.
47. Prophecy against Philistia.
48. Prophecy against Moab.
49. Prophecy against Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam.
50. Prophecy against Babylon.
51. Destruction of Babylon.
52. Fall of Jerusalem and temple. Preservation of Jehoiachin.

Lamentations

1. Sorrow inflicted by the Lord.
2. Total destruction of the daughter of Zion.
3. Anguish and hope, call to repentance.
4. Punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of Zion.
5. Prayer for restoration.

Ezekiel

1. Vision of the spread of Christ’s kingdom through the preaching office.
2. Ezekiel’s call.
3. “Eat this scroll.” Duty to rebuke sin.
4. Ezekiel will lie on his side for a year and bear the iniquity of Israel and Judah.
5. Famine and cannibalism; destruction of Jerusalem.
6. Destruction and remnant of scattered Israel.
7. Judgment on Israel.
8. Abominations in the temple.
9. Mark on the forehead.
10. Glory departs from the temple. Cherubim.
11. Security and judgment of the princes. New heart.
12. Prophetic portrayal of captivity in blindness.
13. False prophets and prophetesses.
14. Idols before their eyes.
15. Jerusalem is a useless vine.
16. Jerusalem is a brazen harlot. New covenant.
17. Parable of the eagles and vine.
18. Sour grapes, teeth set on edge. Repentance.
19. Lamentation: lions and vine.
20. Judgment on Israel’s idolatries. Restoration.
21. Babylon is God’s sword.
22. Israel’s sins, the reason for punishment.
23. Comparison of Judah and Israel with two harlots.
24. Sign of cooking pot and ruined meat. No mourning at the death of Ezekiel’s wife.
25. Prophecy against Ammon. Moab, Edom, and Philistia.
26. Prophecy against Tyre.
27. Destruction of Tyre and its economy.
28. King of Tyre will be killed for claiming divinity. Sidon’s fall. Israel’s restoration.
29. Prophecy against Egypt.
30. Prophecy against Egypt and pharaoh.
31. Proud Pharaoh and Egypt will be cut down.
32. Pharaoh and Egypt will join those who go down to the pit.
33. Watchman. Individual guilt. Jerusalem falls.
34. Shepherds false and True.
35. Prophecy against Edom.
36. Israel shall return and be renewed.
37. Dry bones. Christ the King.
38. Last battle against Gog.
39. Gog’s army destroyed and buried.
40. Measurements of the new temple.
41. More measurements.
42. Chambers for the priests.
43. Glory of the Lord filled the temple.
44. The east gate shall be shut.
45. Territories and feasts.
46. Laws for worship.
47. Healing waters from the temple.
48. Divisions of the land, boundaries of the city.

Daniel

1. Daniel and friends thrive on vegetables.
2. Dream of Christ’s kingdom.
3. Fiery furnace.
4. Nebuchadnezzar loses his mind.
5. Handwriting on the wall.
6. Daniel in the lions’ den.
7. Four beasts. Ancient of Days.
8. Ram and goat. Vision of Antichrist.
9. Prayer of repentance. Prophecy of Christ.
10. Angels of various nations.
11. Prophecies of time before Christ.
12. Michael and the end time.

Hosea

1. No-Mercy and Not-My-People.
2. Judgment and mercy.
3. Harlot brought to abstinence.
4. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
5. Idolatry of Israel and Judah.
6. Repentance.
7. Israel will not repent.
8. God rejects their sacrifices.
9. End of temple worship. Infertility.
10. Punishment of Israel for the two golden calves.
11. God’s grace, Israel’s unthankfulness.
12. Against misinterpretation of Jacob’s worship in Bethel.
13. Judgment on idolatry. Death of death.
14. Repentance and mercy.

Joel

1. Destruction of agriculture. Cessation of sacrifices.
2. Call to repentance. Forgiveness. Pentecost.
3. Valley of judgment.

Amos

1. Judgment on Syria, Philistia, Ammon.
2. Judgment on Moab, Judah, and Israel.
3. Amos’ authority.
4. Israel will not return to God despite affliction.
5. The terrible day of the Lord approaches.
6. Beating down Israel’s pride.
7. Visions of locusts, fire, and plumb line.
8. Vision of summer fruit foretells the end.
9. No escape from destruction. Restoration.

Obadiah

1. Judgment of Edom. Saviors on Mt. Zion.

Jonah

1. Jonah is swallowed by a great fish.
2. Jonah’s prayer of repentance.
3. Nineveh’s repentance.
4. God uses a plant to teach Jonah compassion.

Micah

1. Judgment on Israel and Judah.
2. Theft and lying prophets. Israel restored.
3. Punishment on leaders in secular and spiritual estates.
4. Apostles’ preaching. Church’s victory.
5. Christ to be born in Bethlehem.
6. Reproaches.
7. Song of consolation.

Nahum

1. God’s wrath against the church’s enemies.
2. The Lord is against Nineveh.
3. Woe to Nineveh.

Habakkuk

1. God will punish injustice with the Chaldeans.
2. Justification by faith. Woe to the wicked.
3. Canticle.

Zephaniah

1. The day of the Lord’s wrath against Jerusalem.
2. Judgment on the other nations, mercy on Judah’s captives.
3. Jerusalem unrepentant, remnant finally saved.

Haggai

1. Build the house of the Lord.
2. About to shake heaven and earth.

Zechariah

1. Four kinds of horses, four horns, four smiths.
2. The Lord will gather Israel.
3. Joshua the high priest and the Branch.
4. Lampstand and two olive trees.
5. Scroll of curse and ephah of wickedness.
6. Joshua the high priest is crowned.
7. Repentant fasting.
8. Regentrification of Jerusalem. Gentiles will come to God.
9. Palm Sunday.
10. Restoration of God’s people.
11. Grace and Union removed. Prophecy about Judas.
12. Victory for Judah.
13. Refining His people.
14. Day of the Lord.

Malachi

1. God expects pure sacrifices.
2. Corrupt priests, corrupt people.
3. John the Baptist and Jesus. Tithing.
4. Day of the Lord. Elijah will come.

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew - Christ the King

1. Nativity
2. Wise men and Herod.
3. Baptism of Jesus.
4. Temptation. Beginning of ministry.
5. Sermon on the Mount: Beatitudes (8 beatitudes + summary).
6. Sermon on the Mount: Lord’s Prayer.
7. Sermon on the Mount: Judgment.
8. Healing
9. Miracles lead to fame and conflict with Christ.
10. Sending and persecutions of 12 Apostles.
11. John the Baptist questions Christ’s identity.
12. Sabbath; conflict with Pharisees.
13. Parables spoken to the multitude.
14. Martyrdom of John the Baptist. Miracles.
15. What comes out of the mouth defiles. Miracles.
16. Peter’s confession. The Keys.
17. Transfiguration.
18. Steps of admonition and forgiveness.
19. Marriage. Discipleship.
20. Authority and service.
21. Palm Sunday. Cleansing temple. Parables.
22. Parable. Pharisees and Sadducees test him.
23. Woes.
24. Signs of the end of the world.
25. Parables about Judgment Day.
26. Betrayal of our Lord. Holy Supper.
27. Crucifixion.
28. Resurrection.

Mark

1. Jesus’ authority is confirmed by John the Baptist, Baptism, miracles.
2. Conflict with Pharisees on Jesus’ authority over ceremonial law.
3. The 12 apostles. Christ’s authority over the devil.
4. Parables about preaching the Word.
5. Exorcism and miracles.
6. John the Baptist’s martyrdom amidst Christ’s ministry.
7. All foods are clean. Heart of men produces uncleanness.
8. Signs. Peter’s confession and antichristianity.
9. Transfiguration. Precepts for peace in the Church.
10. Going to Jerusalem.
11. Palm Sunday. Cleansing temple. Cursed fig tree.
12. Teaching against Pharisees & Sadducees.
13. Predictions of the end times.
14. Last Supper. Betrayal and trial of Christ.
15. The Passion.
16. Resurrection.

Luke

1. Annunciation. Birth of John the Baptist.
2. Nativity of Christ. Christ in the temple.
3. Baptism of Christ.
4. Temptation. Christ begins preaching and miracles.
5. Christ begins to call disciples. Conflict with Pharisees.
6. Lord of the Sabbath. 12 Apostles. Sermon on the Plain.
7. John the Baptist.
8. Faith and Jesus’ power over world & demons.
9. Transfiguration. Turns face to Jerusalem.
10. Sending the 70. Good Samaritan.
11. Lord’s prayer. Stronger man. Woes.
12. Signs of the end.
13. Parables.
14. More healing and instruction.
15. Lost & found sheep, coin, & son.
16. Unjust steward. Rich man & poor Lazarus.
17. Signs of the days of the Son of Man.
18. Persistent prayer and repentance.
19. Palm Sunday.
20. Teaching against the priests, scribes, Sadducees.
21. Signs of the end.
22. Last Supper. Agony at Gethsemane.
23. Passion of Christ.
24. Resurrection. Emmaus.

John

1. The incarnation. Testimony of the Anointing.
2. Wedding at Cana. Cleansing the Temple.
3. Baptism. John’s testimony about Jesus.
4. Samaritan woman, worship in spirit & truth.
5. Bethesda healing. Testimony about Jesus.
6. Bread of Life.
7. Teaching at Feast of Tabernacles.
8. Jesus proceeded forth from God.
9. Healing of man born blind, & his confession.
10. Good Shepherd.
11. Raising of Lazarus. Plot to kill Jesus.
12. Palm Sunday.
13. Maundy Thursday, at table.
14. Son in the Father, and Father in the Son.
15. Love and union with Christ.
16. Cross and Holy Spirit.
17. High priestly prayer.
18. Jesus is arrested and tried.
19. The crucifixion.
20. The Resurrection.
21. Restoration of Peter.

Acts

1. Ascension. Election of Matthias.
2. Pentecost and Peter’s sermon.
3. Healing of lame man and Peter’s sermon.
4. Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.
5. Ananias and Sapphira. Apostles imprisoned.
6. Seven deacons. Arrest of Stephen.
7. Martyrdom of Stephen.
8. Philip. Simon Magus. Ethiopian eunuch.
9. Conversion of Saul.
10. Cornelius and the vision.
11. Peter explains vision & acceptance of Gentiles.
12. Peter freed from prison.
13. Mission of Saul and Barnabas.
14. End of the mission.
15. Jerusalem council.
16. Visitation journey. Beating at Philippi.
17. Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.
18. Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos.
19. Paul at Ephesus, Baptism & exorcism.
20. Paul’s pastoral admonition.
21. Paul is arrested in Jerusalem.
22. Paul’s apologia before the mob.
23. Paul before the Sanhedrin. Sent to Felix.
24. Trial before Felix.
25. Paul appeals to Caesar.
26. Paul’s apologia before Agrippa.
27. Voyage to Rome. Shipwreck on Malta.
28. Paul’s ministry at Rome.

Romans (On Faith)

1. Natural law and wrath of God.
2. Judgment on both Gentiles and Jews.
3. Justification through faith apart from works.
4. Justification as imputation, equally for Jews and Gentiles.
5. Sin and righteousness, death and life.
6. Freedom from sin.
7. At the same time righteous and sinful.
8. Holy Spirit, Resurrection, predestination.
9. Predestination. Rejection of Israel.
10. Calling of the Gospel, Office of the Holy Ministry (OHM).
11. Apostasy and repentance.
12. Living sacrifices; exhortations.
13. Civil government. Law of love.
14. Ceremonies and conscience.
15. Offerings. Paul’s apostleship.
16. Church fellowship.

1 Corinthians (On Love)

1. Unity and humility.
2. Wisdom of God taught by the Spirit.
3. Ministers.
4. Apostolic authority.
5. Church discipline.
6. Ecclesiastical courts, antinomianism.
7. Marriage, divorce, celibacy.
8. Idol-meat and conscience.
9. Payment for pastors. Self-denial.
10. Communion fellowship. Casuistry of sacrificed meat.
11. Head coverings. Lord’s Supper.
12. Spiritual gifts. Church as ordered body.
13. Love.
14. Prophecy and tongues. Women silent in church.
15. Resurrection.
16. Journey.

2 Corinthians

1. True authority of pastors.
2. Apostolic duties.
3. Spirit and letter.
4. Sharing the death and life of Jesus.
5. Intermediate state, judgment, atonement.
6. Ministry and church fellowship.
7. Godly sorrow.
8. Titus. Charitable giving.
9. Abundance in giving.
10. Authority of the office of the holy ministry.
11. Paul vs. false apostles.
12. Paul’s apocalypse and thorn.
13. Authority of the office of the holy ministry.

Galatians

1. Paul learned Gospel immediately from Jesus Christ.
2. Paul’s authority, opposition to Peter.
3. Justification by faith, not law.
4. Two covenants.
5. Freedom of a Christian.
6. Brotherly love, boasting.

Ephesians

1. Election.
2. Death of enmity.
3. Mystery of God’s fullness.
4. Graces according to measure.
5. Followers of God. Duties of wives & husbands.
6. Other duties. The whole armor of God.

Philippians

1. Persecution.
2. Emptying and Exaltation of Christ.
3. Righteousness of faith, of Law.
4. Contentment.

Colossians

1. Christology, redemption, and ministry.
2. Atonement and Church.
3. The new man.
4. Greetings. Epistle from Laodicea.

1 Thessalonians

1. Thessalonians’ conversion.
2. Pastoral ethics.
3. Concern for faith.
4. Sanctification. Resurrection.
5. The day of the Lord.

2 Thessalonians

1. Last judgment.
2. Man of sin.
3. Labor.

1 Timothy

1. Use of the Law.
2. Commands on prayer.
3. Qualifications of bishops and deacons.
4. A good minister of Jesus Christ.
5. Widows, presbyters.
6. Wealth.

2 Timothy

1. Ordination.
2. Pastoral ethics.
3. Profitable uses of Scripture.
4. Work of an evangelist.

Titus

1. Ordination. Duties of presbyter-bishops.
2. Table of duties.
3. Baptism and Gospel lead to good works.

Philemon

Reconciliation. Vocation.

Hebrews

1. Nature of the Son of God.
2. Incarnation & atonement.
3. Faithfulness and rebellion.
4. Rest is entered by faith.
5. High priesthood.
6. God’s promises.
7. A priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
8. The New Testament.
9. Christ’s death is the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrifices.
10. Atonement. Perseverance in faith.
11. Faith of the fathers.
12. Discipline. New Testament.
13. Our rulers, altar, and sacrifices.

James

1. Doubt and temptation.
2. Faith without works is dead.
3. The tongue. Peacemaking.
4. Humility.
5. Ethics before the coming of the Lord.

1 Peter

1. Salvation foreordained and now revealed.
2. Royal priesthood. Atonement.
3. Table of duties. Baptism now saves you.
4. Suffering as a Christian.
5. Pastoral duty. Humility.

2 Peter

1. Sanctification. Scripture.
2. False teachers.
3. End of the world.

1 John

1. Fellowship with the Father and His Son.
2. Abiding in Christ.
3. Children of God do not sin.
4. God is love and first loved us.
5. The witness of God.

2 John

1. Deceivers.

3 John

1. Fellowship.

Jude

1. Apostates

Revelation

1. Theophany.
2. Letters of Christ.
3. Letters of Christ.
4. Worship before the throne.
5. Scroll.
6. Opening seals. Four horsemen of the Apocalypse.
7. Sealing the Israelites.
8. Trumpets 1-4.
9. Trumpets 5-6.
10. Little book.
11. Two witnesses. Trumpet 7.
12. Dragon vs. the woman.
13. Beasts from the sea and land. Mark of the beast.
14. Harvest of the earth.
15. Seven angels with plagues.
16. Seven bowls of God’s wrath.
17. Great harlot.
18. Fall of Babylon the great.
19. Jesus as warrior on white horse.
20. Millenium, then judgment.
21. New heaven and earth, heavenly Jerusalem.
22. Eternal life.

Ten Reasons to Study the Lord’s Prayer

1. To experience what it means to have God as your Father.
2. To find out which part of the Lord’s Prayer may speak directly of the Lord’s Supper.
3. To learn about salvation by grace in the Lord’s Prayer.
4. To learn how to pray the Lord’s Prayer for others.
5. Because meditation on the Lord’s Prayer can be the basis for all other prayers.
6. Because “in the Lord’s Prayer there is comprehended in seven successive articles, or petitions, every need which never ceases to relate to us, and each so great that it ought to constrain us to keep praying it all our lives.” (Martin Luther, 1528 A+D)
7. And “there is absolutely nothing passed over that is not comprehended in the Lord’s Prayer, as in a compendium of heavenly doctrine.” (St. Cyprian, 252 A+D)
8. Moreover, “since Christ says, ‘whatsoever we shall ask of the Father in His name, He will give us,’ how much more effectually do we obtain what we ask in Christ’s name, if we ask for it in His own prayer!” (St. Cyprian, 252 A+D)
9. And “whenever a pious Christian prays: Dear Father, let Thy will be done, God speaks from on high and says: Yes, dear child, it shall be so, in spite of the devil and all the world.” (Martin Luther, 1528 A+D)
10. Finally, because most of us struggle to pay attention when we pray it!

New Luther Bibliography

In 2017 I attended the International Lutheran Congress in Wittenberg, Germany. There I met a German scholar, Dr. Michael Beyer, who works for the main journal of Luther studies (in German): Lutherjahrbuch. Dr. Beyer is in charge of the annual bibliography of Luther studies. He told me about his desire to find a North American collaborator, since it is difficult for him to get access to our databases to find English-language Luther studies. He has had difficulty connecting with North Americans--perhaps due to his thick Saxon accent! When I returned here, I got him in touch with Rev. Robert Smith, Electronic Resources Librarian at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN (my seminary). Since then Rev. Smith has been helping to make the annual bibliography of Luther studies (the Lutherbibliographie), and the first fruits of his efforts can now be seen on the website for Concordia Theological Quarterly. Here's the link.

https://www.ctsfw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Smith_Luther-Bib-2013-2018_v4-Final.pdf

The CTQ website is at www.ctsfw.edu/ctq.

How to Learn Latin in Order to Read 16th-17th c. Lutheran Theology

How to Learn Latin

Beginner Adult, Already Knows Foreign Languages

Consider taking a course from a real instructor. I find that this works best to begin learning any language. Wittenberg Academy is an affordable way to do this. Contact Mrs. Jocelyn Benson (mrsbenson@wittenbergacademy.org) for details. An immersion course may be a quick, though more expensive way, to begin. Try https://vivariumnovum.net/en .

Frederic M. Wheelock, Wheelock’s Latin (New York: HarperCollins, 2005), or similar. What is needed is a grammar that has charts of all the forms of the nouns, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, etc. Wheelock is good because it has the answers to the exercises in the back.

A decent online parser and glossary is: http://vicarius.thomasleen.com/

Begin to read the Bible in Latin, start with the Gospels: Alberto Colunga and Laurentio Turrado, eds., Biblia Sacra Iuxta Vulgatam Clementinam: Nova Editio Logicis Partitionibus Aliisque Subsidiis Ornata, 5th ed. (Madrid: La Editorial Catolica, 1977). The Vulgate translation of the Bible can be readily consulted at http://www.drbo.org/lvb/ .

Or try the Neo-Vulgate, which is more faithful to the original Greek and Hebrew: http://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/nova_vulgata/documents/nova-vulgata_index_lt.html .

Here is the Small Catechism in Latin, with helpful notes: Edward Naumann, ed., Martini Lutheri Catechismus Minor: The Small Catechism of Martin Luther in Latin with Notes (no place: no publisher, no date).

Adult Who Knows Some Latin

Now it’s time to learn ecclesiastical Latin. Use H. P. V. Nunn, An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin (Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1958). It’s also available electronically through www.Logos.com . This is a great little book, except that it doesn’t have an index. You can find your way using the table of contents, but I definitely recommend making your own index as you read through it.

A reader in church Latin, with grammatical supplements to Wheelock is: Richard Upsher Smith, Jr., Ecclesiastical, Medieval, and Neo-Latin Sentences Designed to Accompany Wheelock’s Latin (Mundelein, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2014). This could be used together with Wheelock’s Latin as a supplement, or could be used as a 2nd-semester reader, to become accustomed to ecclesiastical Latin. All the readings include a glossary for terms not covered in Wheelock.

An alternative to Nunn, recommended by Dr. John Nordling, are these two books: Cora Carroll Scanlon and Charles L. Scanlon, Latin Grammar: Grammar Vocabularies, and Exercises in Preparation for the Reading of the Missal and Breviary, ed. Newton Thompson (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1976); Cora Carrol Scanlon and Charles L. Scanlon, Second Latin: Grammar Vocabularies, and Exercises in Preparation for the Reading of Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1976).

It’s also time to step up to a real dictionary: either L&S (unabridged Lewis & Short) or OLD (Oxford Latin Dictionary). Here’s L&S online for free: http://athirdway.com/glossa/ . As you look up words, don’t be satisfied with the first definition. You have to read through all the definitions, look at the grammar to see which one fits, and then decide how the word is being used!

At this point, consider also learning conversational Latin or Latin composition. John C. Traupman, Conversational Latin for Oral Proficiency, 4th ed. (Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2007); Goodwin B. Beach and Ford Lewis Battles, Locutionum cotidianarum glossarium: A guide to Latin conversation, 3rd ed. (Hartford, Conn.: Hartford Seminary Press, 1967); Charles Baker, et al., High School Course in Latin Composition (New York: Macmillan, 1950). Conversational Latin courses are also offered by the Paideia Institute (http://www.paideiainstitute.org/online_classes).

Advanced Latin for Reading and Translating 16th and 17th Century Lutheran Texts

Reference grammar: B. L. Gildersleeve and G. Lodge, Gildersleeve’s Latin Grammar (Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, 2003). Don’t try to read through this. Instead, use the index to look up difficult grammatical constructions.

You can start to read a selection of Lutheran Latin in Walter J. Bartling, Patres Latini Lutherani: Latin Readings from the First Two Centuries of Lutheranism (1965).

Other Latin lexica are online at http://www.lexilogos.com/latin_langue_dictionnaires.htm .

Several lexica are searchable at http://linguax.com/lexica/, including the Latin-Latin dictionary by Forcellini, which is often helpful in providing non-classical, neo-Latin meanings of words.

Neo-Latin vocabulary is defined in German in Johannes Ramminger’s Neulateinische Wortliste, http://ramminger.userweb.mwn.de/, and in René Hoven’s Dictionary of Renaissance Latin from prose sources, 2nd ed. (Leiden: Brill, 2006). The two vocabularies overlap somewhat, but each also has many words unique to itself.

For medieval Latin, the basic reference, with entries in German and French as well as in English, is Mediae Latinitatis lexicon minus / Lexique latin médiéval / Medieval Latin Dictionary / Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch, ed. J.F. Niermeyer & C. van de Kieft; second edition revised by J.W.J. Burgers (Leiden: Brill, 2002).

More extensive is Glossarium mediae et infimae Latinitatis, ed. Charles Du Fresne Du Cange; revised edition ed. Léopold Favre, 10 volumes (Niort: Favre, 1883-1887; reprint Graz: Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, 1954), available online (as PDF files) at http://standish.stanford.edu/bin/ckey?2174222 . The 1710 edition is available with more convenient links at http://www.uni-mannheim.de/mateo/camenaref/ducange.html . A very convenient and searchable online edition is: http://ducange.enc.sorbonne.fr/ .

A supplement to Du Cange is Lorenz Diefenbach, Novum glossarium latino-germanicum mediae et infimae aetatis (Frankfurt a.M., 1867; reprint Aalen: Scientia, 1997).

In process is the Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (München: Beck, 1959-) [currently through Evito-]

Early modern Latin-German dictionaries can be helpful in reconstructing Luther’s bilingual world: Peter Dasypodius, Dictionarium Latinogermanicum (Strassburg, 1536; reprint Hildesheim: Olms, 1974, 1995). The more limited 1535 edition is available online (as image files) at http://diglib.hab.de/drucke/n-77-4f-helmst-2/start.htm

For theological vocabulary the following may be helpful, keeping in mind that Luther’s own use and that of his contemporaries and predecessors (not that of his heirs) should be the primary norm for translation: Johann Altenstaig, Vocabularius Theologie (Augsburg: Rynman, 1517), with a digitized microfilm online at 
http://diglib.hab.de/drucke/b-49-2f-helmst-1/start.htm . The 1619 Cologne edition of Altenstaig, edited by Johannes Tytz under the title Lexicon Theologicum, has been reprinted in a modern facimile (Hildesheim: Olms, 1974). See also Richard A. Muller, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms: Drawn Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985).

For geographical terms, especially helpful are:

Orbis Latinus, oder, Verzeichnis der wichtigsten lateinischen Orts- und Ländernamen, ed. J. G. Th. Graesse, second edition ed. Friedrich Benedict (Berlin: Transpress, 1980). The 1909 edition is available online at http://www.columbia.edu/acis/ets/Graesse/contents.html .

Albert Sleumer, Kirchenlateinisches Wörterbuch (Hildesheim: Olms, 2006).

The aforementioned lexicon by Sleumer is also excellent as a glossary for ecclesiastical Latin words.

For Patristic Latin, use Albert Blaise and Henri Chirat, Dictionnaire latin-français des auteurs chrétiens (Strasbourg: Le Latin Chrétien, 1954), as well as the unabridged Lewis & Short.

For philosophical terms, see:

Johannes Micraelius, Lexicon Philosophicum (Jenae: impensis Jeremiae Mamphrasii, 1653), available online at https://books.google.com/books?id=7zE_AAAAcAAJ ;

Rudolphus Goclenius, Lexicon Philosophicum (Francofurti: impensis Petri Musculi & Ruperti Pistorii, 1613), available online at https://books.google.com/books?id=2etMAAAAcAAJ ;

Rudolphus Goclenius, Lexicon Philosophicum Graecum (Marchioburgi: impensis Petri Musculi, 1615), available online at https://books.google.com/books?id=en8KYZh46qAC .

Roy J. Deferrari, M. Inviolata Barry, and Ignatius McGuiness, A Lexicon of St. Thomas Aquinas Based on the Summa Theologica and Selected Passages of his Other Works (Fitzwilliam, NH: Loreto Publications, 2004).

For Latin abbreviations, see:

Adriano Cappelli, Dizionario di Abbreviature latine ed italiane, sesta edizione (Milano: Ulrico Hoepli, 1990), searchable and free at https://www.adfontes.uzh.ch/ressourcen/abkuerzungen/cappelli-online; and

“Siglarium Romanum,” in Jacobus Facciolatus, Aegidius Forcellinus, and Jacobus Bailey, eds., Totius Latinitatis Lexicon, vol. 2 (Londini: sumptibus Baldwin et Cradock, 1828), towards the end with independent page numbering, available online at https://books.google.com/books?id=TjlCyVp9ILUC&pg=RA2-PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false .

An extensive annotated bibliography of Latin lexica since the Renaissance is online at http://www.richardwolf.de/latein/index.html .

Greek

Christian Latin authors often sprinkle in Greek vocabulary. For that, consult G. W. H. Lampe, Patristic Greek Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon, 1961).

Joh. Scapula, Lexicon Graeco-Latinum Novum (London: Thomas Harper, 1637).

Stephanus, Thesaurus Graecae Linguage:

• Vol 1/1-a https://books.google.com/books?id=w95jvjhnpTIC
• Vol 1/2-ama https://books.google.com/books?id=rt-ZchZsylkC
• Vol 2-b https://books.google.com/books?id=yQR2LAgk2rEC
• Vol 3-e https://books.google.com/books?id=0luLdgdaEk4C
• Vol 4-z https://books.google.com/books?id=D3LyKURAmZ4C
• Vol 5-l https://books.google.com/books?id=iQgynV4SI-QC
• Vol 6-p https://books.google.com/books?id=0fiI3C8VoncC
• Vol 7-s https://books.google.com/books?id=6D1FZ9_kMiUC
• Vol 8-appendix https://books.google.com/books?id=C-suaeP1wVQC

Are there any others that should be added to the list?

How to Learn German in Order to Read 16th-17th c. Lutheran Theology

How to Learn German

Beginner Adult, Already Knows Foreign Languages

Consider taking a course from a real instructor. I find that this works best to begin learning any language. 

Zorach, Cecile, Charlotte Melin, and Adam Oberlin. English Grammar for Students of German: The Study Guide for Those Learning German. Sixth edition. Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Olivia and Hill Press, 2014. https://archive.org/details/englishgrammarfo0006zora.

Sandberg, German for Reading. 

https://archive.org/details/german-for-reading-a-programmed-approach-for-graduate-and-undergraduate-reading-_202101/mode/2up

Wilson, April. German Quickly: A Grammar for Reading German. New York: Peter Lang, 2007.

Linda C. DeMeritt, German Grammar (New York: HarperCollins, 1994), or similar. What is needed is a grammar that has charts of all the forms of the nouns, adjectives, adverbs, verbs, etc.

Or try the free, online resource: http://germanforenglishspeakers.com/

A decent online dictionary for modern German (not for theology or early modern high German) is: http://www.dict.cc/

Begin to read the Bible in German. At first, use the 1984 Lutherbibel, for example: Die Bibel nach Martin Luther 1984: Mit Apokryphen (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012). This is comparable in accuracy (or inaccuracy, as the case may be) to the ESV. https://www.die-bibel.de/bibeln/online-bibeln/lutherbibel-1984/bibeltext/bibel/text/lesen/

Adult Who Knows Some Modern German

At this point, consider learning conversational German. University courses are best for this purpose, but otherwise consider a text such as: Lothar Kahn, Intermediate Conversational German (New York, American Book Company, 1963).

This is also a good time to plan to study in Germany. Both seminaries of the LCMS send one exchange student per year to the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel (http://lthh.de/). But if you are not selected for Oberursel, there are also other ways to have an immersion study experience in Germany. See https://www.daad.de/deutschland/de/ for more information, and contact me for suggestions on creating a study-abroad experience in connection with a supportive sister congregation in Germany. The connection with a supportive sister congregation is important for many reasons, one of which is that often the best learning comes from a faithful, scholarly pastor showing you good German theological literature.

Use a primer in theological German in order to learn the theological vocabulary. For example:

J. D. Manton, Introduction to Theological German (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 1973).

Helmut W. Ziefle, Modern Theological German: A Reader and Dictionary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997).

Walter M. Mosse, A Theological German Vocabulary: German Theological Key Words Illustrated in Quotations from Martin Luther’s Bible and the Revised Standard Version (New York, Octagon Books, 1955).

At this point you should also become familiar with the old German typeface, commonly called Fraktur. To do so, start to read in a theological reader such as the following:

Martin Bertram, ed., Stimmen der Kirche (St. Louis: Concordia, 1961). The reprint from Concordia Publishing House includes a chart that compares Roman and Fraktur typefaces. Purchase it from CPH.

If you can find a Fraktur edition of the 1912 Lutherbibel, it’s time to start reading it instead of the 1984. It is comparable to the NKJV, though some of the phraseology is old.

Speaking of the Lutherbibel, modern German dictionaries will not help you to read the old versions. Here are some dictionaries that will help you read not just the 1912 Lutherbibel, but also 19th century German (e.g., old LCMS stuff):

Johann Christoph Adelung, Grammatisch-kritisches Wörterbuch der Hochdeutschen Mundart (1793–1801), available free online.

Or other 19th-century German-English dictionaries.

There are specific dictionaries for Luther’s German Bible. One of them is:

W. A. Jütting, Biblisches Wörterbuch enthaltend eine Erklärung der alterthümlichen und seltenen Ausdrücke in M. Luther's Bibelübersetzung. Für Geistliche und Lehrer (Leipzig: B. G. Teubner, 1864), available free online.

Advanced German for the Study of Luther and the Lutheran Confessions

Now it’s time to read Luther’s 1545 German Bible. Not everything on the internet that calls itself the 1545 Lutherbibel is the real, genuine 1545 Luther Bible with Luther’s spelling and marginal notes. You can read it online. There are also modules for various Bible apps that feature the “Lutherbibel letzter Hand.” The critical edition of Luther’s German Bible is in the Deutsche Bibel section of the Weimar Edition (WA).

To make sense of 16th-century German, first consult the explanation of early modern high German in: Die Bekenntnisschriften der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirche, 12th ed. (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1998), vii–x.

If more introduction is desired, see also:

Frédéric Hartweg & Klaus-Peter Wegera, Frühneuhochdeutsch: Eine Einführung in die deutsche Sprache des Spätmittelalters und der frühen Neuzeit, second edition, Germanistische Arbeits-Hefte 33 (Tübingen: Niemeyer, 2005).

“Zum Verständnis der Luthersprache,” in Martin Luther: Studienausgabe, Hans-Ulrich Delius, ed., vol. 1 (Berlin: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 1979), 13–28.

Herbert Penzl, Frühneuhochdeutsch, Germanistische Lehrbuchsammlung 9 (Bern: P. Lang, 1984).

The best compact grammar of Frühneuhochdeutsch is: Frühneuhochdeutsche Grammatik, ed. Robert Ebert, Oskar Reichmann, Klaus-Peter Wegera, Sammlung kurzer Grammatiken germanischer Dialekte 12 (Tübingen: Niemeyer, 1993).

The following works deal specifically with Luther’s language:

Carl Franke, Grundzüge der Schriftsprache Luthers in allgemeinverständlicher Darstellung, 3 volumes (Halle: Waisenhaus, 1913; reprint Hildesheim: Olms 1973). Helpful also as a glossary. This has been scanned and can be downloaded from Google Books: first copy, second copy, third copy, fourth copy. Note: the Google Books version has different pagination and paragraph enumeration than the Olms edition.

Ernst Thiele, Luthers Sprichwörtersammlung (Weimar: Böhlau, 1900; reprint Leipzig: Reprint-Verlag, 1996). (Cf. WA 51:634–731.) Available for download from Google Books.

The definitive dictionary of Frühneuhochdeutsch will be: Frühneuhochdeutsches Wörterbuch, ed. Ulrich Goebel & Oskar Reichmann, 13 volumes projected [1-4 and fasicles of vols 5-9 & 11 available as of 11/2006] (Berlin: de Gruyter, 1989-).

Meanwhile, the Grimms’ Deutsches Wörterbuch, which begins its coverage with Luther, is authoritative and is now freely available online. Its advantage—comprehensiveness—is also its disadvantage: it can be cumbersome to use. Nevertheless, being able to do digital searches online makes it a crucial resource. Deutsches Wörterbuch, ed. Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm, 33 volumes (Leipzig: Hirzel, 1854-1971; repr. Hildesheim: Olms, 2003-); available online at http://woerterbuchnetz.de/DWB/ . Be aware that this work spells the “ß” as “sz”. For example, if trying to look up “Buße,” you should search for “Busze” rather than “Busse”.

Lexer’s Mittelhochdeutsches Handwörterbuch extends through the fifteenth century and is sometimes helpful for Luther’s German: Mittelhochdeutsches Handwörterbuch, ed. Matthias Lexer (Stuttgart: Hirzel, 1872-1878; reprint 1974), available online at http://germazope.uni-trier.de/Projects/WBB/woerterbuecher/lexer/wbgui?lemid=LA00001

Two pocket-sized dictionaries of early modern High German are readily available:

Frühneuhochdeutsches Glossar, ed. Alfred Götze, Kleine Texte für Vorlesungen und Übungen 101, seventh edition (Berlin: de Gruyter, 1971).

Kleines frühneuhochdeutsches Wörterbuch, ed. Christa Baufeld (Tübingen: Niemeyer, 1996).

Paul Dietz’ dictionary of Luther’s German is highly accurate and easy to use. It is slowly being expanded, but still only extends from A-Hornig:

Wörterbuch zu Martin Luthers deutschen Schriften, ed. Paul Dietz (Leipzig, 1870-1872; repr. Hildesheim: Olms, 1961) [only up to “Hals”]. The original edition appeared in fascicles and stopped part way through the second volume. This work is also available as a free download via Google Book Search: http://books.google.com

Gustav & Renate Bebermeyer, Wörterbuch zu Martin Luthers deutschen Schriften: Wortmonographien zum Lutherwortschatz: anknüpfend an Philipp Dietz, Wörterbuch zu Dr. Martin Luthers deutschen Schriften (Hildesheim: Olms, 1993-) [to Hornig].

Wander’s Sprichwörterlexikon is a comprehensive source for German proverbial sayings. It can now be searched conveniently at http://www.zeno.org/Wander-1867. Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Wander, Deutsches Sprichwörter-Lexikon (Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1830-1880).

Are there any others that should be added to the list?