A first edition of Luther’s classic treatise “The Freedom of a Christian,” dated 1520, has been discovered in a library in France. It contains annotations in red ink in Luther’s hand, indicating the changes he wanted to make in future editions. As far as I can tell, those annotations have not yet been published, but we should watch for them.
Thanks to Anthony Sacramone for drawing this to my attention. Read his discussion of this find and of the book itself. If you only read one book by Luther, read this one. It is Luther at his very best, unpacking the Gospel, the freedom we have in Christ, his neighbor-centered ethic, and vocation.
From Protestant reformer Martin Luther’s 16th Century notes found – BBC News:
A first edition of one of the most important works of the man who inspired the Protestant Reformation has been discovered in a library in France.
The publication by German theologian Martin Luther, called On the Freedom of a Christian, dates back to 1520.
This was a year before he was excommunicated by the Pope for criticising the Catholic Church.
It includes around 50 notes written in red by Luther himself, indicating changes he wanted for a second edition.
The American who made the discovery, James Hirsten, said it gave an important insight into Luther’s thinking at the time.
The annotated edition was found in The Humanist Library in Selestat, in the north-east of France.
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