StL4d: “old famous theologians” testify: "surpasses all other writings"

      This concludes from Part 4c (Table of Contents in Part 1) in a series on the St. Louis Edition (StL) of Luther's complete writings in English. — Walther concludes his book announcement with some testimonies from faithful fathers of the Lutheran Church… and we learn from the master Lutheran historian.

(From Der Lutheraner, vol. 37 p. 113-115 (No. 15, Aug. 1, 1881)[EN] (all underlining and bolding follows Walther's emphasis):

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Dr. Martin Luther's

Interpretation of the First Book of Moses.

Second part.

[review by C. F. W. Walther; concluded from Part 4c]

Before we close this report, we are permitted to share some judgments that old famous theologians have made about Luther's interpretation of the first book of Moses.

Not only does our Formula of Concord call it a “glorious exposition” (p. 599 [Trig. 899]), but almost all of our greatest theologians have not been able to exhaust themselves in praising it. It is sufficient to cite only the following judgments. First, Luther's trusted friend Hieronymus Weller writes:

“Although all of Luther's writings are full of excellent teaching and comfort, the exposition of the first book of Moses far surpasses all other writings and books. No challenge can be conceived for which and against which he has not shown a certain remedy and consolation in the same exposition. It is certainly true that he, Lutherus, has surpassed himself in this exposition.” (See Luther's Works by Walch, XIV, 871) 

Timotheus Kirchner, the main author of the Apology of the Formula of Concord, writes: 

“The book may well be called the ‘Consummatum est’ Lutheri (Luther's ‘It is finished’). All theologians must go to school for this book and no one will study it too much; of this I am sure and certain. In this book the man of God has so clearly and abundantly dealt with almost the noblest and greatest articles of our faith that nothing like it, with the exception of the Holy Bible, has come into the world, nor, of course, will it.” (Ibid. p. 872)

Furthermore, David Chyträus, one of the co-authors of the Formula of Concord, writes: 

“As for the majesty of heavenly wisdom and of the very most important things, as well as the power to move the hearts of the readers and to kindle them to godly and spiritual movements, yet other writers' writings must give way to this writing of Luther's, as much as the other stars are surpassed by the morning star, or rather by the light and brilliance of the sun.” (p. 876)

Daniel Cramer finally goes so far as to write in 1630: “Whoever does not read this book does not deserve the name of a theologian.” (Ibid.) —

May God help that the new edition of this precious book will find many eager readers and many open hearts among the so-called laymen as well as among the preachers; then this will be one of the most effective means that finally also in this most distant West the true church of the Reformation will present itself in ever more beautiful bloom.  W. [Walther]

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In the next sub-series promoting the St. Louis Edition, in Part 5a, we present a later 1907 essay by Prof. Franz Pieper on the writings of Dr. Martin Luther.