Guided by Their Language: Translation, Incarnation, and Solidarity

In his 1530 writing “On Translation: An Open Letter,” Martin Luther offers a theologically and morally rich account of translating the Gospel. Faithful translation concerns the accurate rendering of words into new languages, but it includes more. For Luther, faithful translation is also grounded in a theological commitment to Jesus as the Word made flesh and in a moral commitment in which the translator seeks life together with those to whom she translates. Taken together, these commitments result in Gospel speaking that is faithful, understandable, and lively.  This form of translation is evident in Luther’s sermons and biblical commentaries. It is also evident in the 20th century preaching of Helmut Thielicke and the contemporary liturgical poetry of Meta Herrick Carlson.