Rating: 
Summary: Lutheran doctrine even for College students
Review: After having a chance to read more of this new translation of the Book of Concord, I still conclude that this book is--overall--very good. Yes, the translation does pluralize some areas where the original was singular, such as Luther's explanation of the Ten Commandments in his Small Catechism. Nevertheless, such pluralizations seem natural to the modern ear and tongue and do not seem a deliberate ruse to avoid using "he, him, or his," such as the explanation of who is my neighbor. The translators and editors should not have allowed these subject-verb-predicate mismatches, but were probably allowed for political correctness. However, other areas are deliberately so worded for modern correctness, such as portion of the Smalcald Articles where the translators change singulars to plurals to avoid reference to male clergy. Translators are not to make something likeable to the modern reader but make it understandable. So my first impressions were off a bit, but not much on pluralizations for political correctness.The references and historical background in the footnotes are superb and bests any BOC yet to come to print. This alone makes the book worth its purchase--so much so students of the Confessions should have this volume and use it! It was especially refreshing to see incorrect references in previous Book of Concord editions corrected in this edition. The biggest possible "problem" with this BOC is its use of Melanchthon's second Latin version of the Apology as the basis for the translation. Kolb and Wengert do make a serious case for their decision, much of which has merit. I do not have the historical or theological qualifications, however, to say definitively if using Melanchton's second Latin version was the best choice or not, but readers should be aware of this decision. In short, this edition does have some shortcomings of which readers should be aware. However, it is the most readable BOC to date and has the best footnotes of any BOC, bar none. Thus, if you want to read the Lutheran Confessions, then buy this edition and read it. However, for serious study, cross-refer this edition with the Concordia Triglotta to hone in on the original authors' intents.
Rating: 
Summary: Further Reading Highlights More Info on this BOC Edition
Review: After having a chance to read more of this new translation of the Book of Concord, I still conclude that this book is--overall--very good. Yes, the translation does pluralize some areas where the original was singular, such as Luther's explanation of the Ten Commandments in his Small Catechism. Nevertheless, such pluralizations seem natural to the modern ear and tongue and do not seem a deliberate ruse to avoid using "he, him, or his," such as the explanation of who is my neighbor. The translators and editors should not have allowed these subject-verb-predicate mismatches, but were probably allowed for political correctness. However, other areas are deliberately so worded for modern correctness, such as portion of the Smalcald Articles where the translators change singulars to plurals to avoid reference to male clergy. Translators are not to make something likeable to the modern reader but make it understandable. So my first impressions were off a bit, but not much on pluralizations for political correctness. The references and historical background in the footnotes are superb and bests any BOC yet to come to print. This alone makes the book worth its purchase--so much so students of the Confessions should have this volume and use it! It was especially refreshing to see incorrect references in previous Book of Concord editions corrected in this edition. The biggest possible "problem" with this BOC is its use of Melanchthon's second Latin version of the Apology as the basis for the translation. Kolb and Wengert do make a serious case for their decision, much of which has merit. I do not have the historical or theological qualifications, however, to say definitively if using Melanchton's second Latin version was the best choice or not, but readers should be aware of this decision. In short, this edition does have some shortcomings of which readers should be aware. However, it is the most readable BOC to date and has the best footnotes of any BOC, bar none. Thus, if you want to read the Lutheran Confessions, then buy this edition and read it. However, for serious study, cross-refer this edition with the Concordia Triglotta to hone in on the original authors' intents.
Rating:
Summary: Lutheran doctrine even for College students
Review: As a born and raised Lutheran(LCMS) Christian and now a junior in college I thought I might add a review for any young adults out there looking for good Christian reading. So far I have only read through the Augsburg Confession, but in as much as I have read, I have found this text to be highly readable without being dummied-down. I do not have the resources to check or read all the material referenced, but I am greatly comforted having the references available. Having had this new version of the Book of Concord recommended to me by a highly learned and trust worthy person I am confident that it is, if nothing else, an excellent resource in the study of Christian doctrine. For any non-Lutheran readers out there I would like to recommend the Book of Concord as an excellent summary(and sometimes elaboration) of Christian faith and teachings.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent update of this profound work
Review: The new translation of the BOOK OF CONCORD is in every way excellent, faithful to both the German and Latin originals and written in a clear, flowing English style. It is in many ways quite close to the translation in the familiar Tappert edition, but there are some improvements. What makes this volume special is its excellent scholarly apparatus. There is a wonderfully complete index with references not only to topics but to individual theologians and writers of the Reformation era. I found this information incredibly useful both for the courses I teach on the BOOK OF CONCORD and in my private research. The book also contains excerpts from the works of authors covered in the BOOK OF CONCORD, allowing them to speak for themselves. Since many of their works are very difficult to find, this is a much appreciated feature. All in all, I rate this book most highly; it is the only BOOK OF CONCORD to buy.
Rating:
Summary: Rejoicing in a new BOOK OF CONCORD
Review: The new translation of the BOOK OF CONCORD is in every way excellent, faithful to both the German and Latin originals and written in a clear, flowing English style. It is in many ways quite close to the translation in the familiar Tappert edition, but there are some improvements. What makes this volume special is its excellent scholarly apparatus. There is a wonderfully complete index with references not only to topics but to individual theologians and writers of the Reformation era. I found this information incredibly useful both for the courses I teach on the BOOK OF CONCORD and in my private research. The book also contains excerpts from the works of authors covered in the BOOK OF CONCORD, allowing them to speak for themselves. Since many of their works are very difficult to find, this is a much appreciated feature. All in all, I rate this book most highly; it is the only BOOK OF CONCORD to buy.
Rating:
Summary: Clear and Readable
Review: This Book of Concord (BOC) is the latest in succession of Book of Concord translations, some of which includes Henry Eyster Jacobs' 1882 translation, the Concordia Triglotta (a very good version!), and the Theodore Tappert 1959 version. This latest edition takes advantage of recent scholarship, research that was not available when the earlier BOCs were published. Thus, this edition has a richer selection of historical notes and introductions, which is quite helpful to the modern reader. In addition, some minor changes have taken place in English usage during the last 40 years and, naturally, translators should incorporate such changes. Last, this BOC corrects the sporadic error in the Tappert translation, the standard version now in use (Tappert was a bit on the pietistic side). Some other participating translators besides Kolb and Wengert are Eric Gritsch of Gettysburg Seminary and James Schaaf, now deceased, who taught at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, OH. Unfortunately, this BOC also incorporates biblical citations from the New Revised Standard Version. For accuracy, if one Bible version had to be used, this reviewer would have preferred the Updated Version (1995) of the New American Standard Bible. The contents of this BOC are quite standard, but are worth mentioning for the non-Lutheran reader. The contents include a Preface, an Introduction, a list of abbreviations, and the original 1580 Preface to the Book of Concord. Next are the Three Common Creeds of the Christian Faith, the Augsburg Confession (1530), The Apology [Defense] of the Augsburg Confession (September 1531), the Smalcald Articles (1537), Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope (1537), Luther's Small Catechism (1529), Luther's Large Catechism (1529), and the Formula of Concord (1577). Several indices then follow: an Index of Biblical References, a Biographical Index, and a Subject Index. One of my first concerns with this BOC translation is that it would be "politically correct" and avoid male-gender pronouns. This reviewer could not find any such overt bias. Nevertheless, a thorough reading is needed to confirm this observation, but light reading here and there has found no such tendency. Since "conservative" Lutherans use the confessions the most, it would be financially unwise for Fortress Press to estrange one of their largest markets for this new BOC by using "inclusive" language: the LCMS, the WELS, the ELS, and other confessional Lutheran groups. In conclusion, this latest BOC seems to be a fine translation and worthy to augment other BOCs now in print. However, this reviewer is unqualified to make a broad endorsement and recommend that this BOC should become the new de-facto version to be used. Await word from confessional Seminaries for that. Until then, enjoy reading!
Rating:
Summary: Clear and Readable
Review: This Book of Concord (BOC) is the latest in succession of Book of Concord translations, some of which includes Henry Eyster Jacobs' 1882 translation, the Concordia Triglotta (a very good version!), and the Theodore Tappert 1959 version. This latest edition takes advantage of recent scholarship, research that was not available when the earlier BOCs were published. Thus, this edition has a richer selection of historical notes and introductions, which is quite helpful to the modern reader. In addition, some minor changes have taken place in English usage during the last 40 years and, naturally, translators should incorporate such changes. Last, this BOC corrects the sporadic error in the Tappert translation, the standard version now in use (Tappert was a bit on the pietistic side). Some other participating translators besides Kolb and Wengert are Eric Gritsch of Gettysburg Seminary and James Schaaf, now deceased, who taught at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, OH. Unfortunately, this BOC also incorporates biblical citations from the New Revised Standard Version. For accuracy, if one Bible version had to be used, this reviewer would have preferred the Updated Version (1995) of the New American Standard Bible. The contents of this BOC are quite standard, but are worth mentioning for the non-Lutheran reader. The contents include a Preface, an Introduction, a list of abbreviations, and the original 1580 Preface to the Book of Concord. Next are the Three Common Creeds of the Christian Faith, the Augsburg Confession (1530), The Apology [Defense] of the Augsburg Confession (September 1531), the Smalcald Articles (1537), Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope (1537), Luther's Small Catechism (1529), Luther's Large Catechism (1529), and the Formula of Concord (1577). Several indices then follow: an Index of Biblical References, a Biographical Index, and a Subject Index. One of my first concerns with this BOC translation is that it would be "politically correct" and avoid male-gender pronouns. This reviewer could not find any such overt bias. Nevertheless, a thorough reading is needed to confirm this observation, but light reading here and there has found no such tendency. Since "conservative" Lutherans use the confessions the most, it would be financially unwise for Fortress Press to estrange one of their largest markets for this new BOC by using "inclusive" language: the LCMS, the WELS, the ELS, and other confessional Lutheran groups. In conclusion, this latest BOC seems to be a fine translation and worthy to augment other BOCs now in print. However, this reviewer is unqualified to make a broad endorsement and recommend that this BOC should become the new de-facto version to be used. Await word from confessional Seminaries for that. Until then, enjoy reading!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent update of this profound work
Review: This classic compendium of true Christian doctrine should be read by all Christians. The Kolb/Wengert edition should replace the Tappert translation, the former English standard; Tappert's edition was riddled with errors and outright falsifications of the text. This new edition is much more accurate, and includes material not found in Tappert. A must-read for every serious Christian.
Rating:
Summary: A useful contribution.
Review: This is a very welcome new translation and, effectively, a new addition to the Lutheran corpus. Other reviewers have already noted it's true strength: the impressively detailed critical apparatus included with each text, which makes the book not simply a joy to read, but a scholarly contribution to our understanding of central texts in Lutheranism. One might question the insistence by the editor on using gender-inclusive language when translating texts which do not employ that language historically. Although contemporary theology should, quite rightly, be anti-sexist, one cannot help but wonder whether the hermeneutics of the setting in which the original texts were formed may not have been (mis)read by the editor in the light of our 21st Century concern to be gender-inclusive? One further, minor caveat I have, is that despite the meticulous typesetting and presentation of the texts, I feel the book will be a little over-priced for most students. Nevertheless, a good and valuable contribution to Lutheran studies, which should be welcomed by scholars and non-scholars alike.
Rating:
Summary: A useful contribution.
Review: This is a very welcome new translation and, effectively, a new addition to the Lutheran corpus. Other reviewers have already noted it's true strength: the impressively detailed critical apparatus included with each text, which makes the book not simply a joy to read, but a scholarly contribution to our understanding of central texts in Lutheranism. One might question the insistence by the editor on using gender-inclusive language when translating texts which do not employ that language historically. Although contemporary theology should, quite rightly, be anti-sexist, one cannot help but wonder whether the hermeneutics of the setting in which the original texts were formed may not have been (mis)read by the editor in the light of our 21st Century concern to be gender-inclusive? One further, minor caveat I have, is that despite the meticulous typesetting and presentation of the texts, I feel the book will be a little over-priced for most students. Nevertheless, a good and valuable contribution to Lutheran studies, which should be welcomed by scholars and non-scholars alike.
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