John Maxfield

Education

• PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary, 2004
• MA, Indiana University, 1990
• MDiv, Concordia Theological Seminary, 1989
• BA, Gettysburg College, 1985
• AA, Bethany Lutheran College, 1983

Courses Regularly Taught

HIS 206 History of Christianity

HIS 207 Europe in the Central Middle Ages

HIS 212 The Renaissance

HIS 213 The Sixteenth Century

HIS 309 Luther and the Reformation

HIS 340 Light on Europe in the “Dark Ages”

REL 499 (Capstone Seminar, in rotation alternate years): The Reformation: Ecclesiology and Spirituality

Select Publications

Becoming Lutheran: The Community of Brunswick from Evangelical Reform to Lutheran Culture. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, forthcoming (2024)

Luther’s Lectures on Genesis and the Formation of Evangelical Identity. Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies, 80. Kirksville, MO: Truman State University Press, 2008.

“Standing Firm in the Faith: Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, 1521.” Lutheran Theological Review 34 (2022): 17-34.

Introduction, translation, and annotations of “Preface to Volume 1 of Lectures on Genesis” by Martin Luther. Luther’s Works (American Edition), Vol. 62: Sermons on Exodus Chapters 1-20, 419-429. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2022.

Introduction, translation, and annotations of “Recantation of Purgatory” by Martin Luther. Luther’s Works (American Edition), Vol. 61: Theological and Polemical Works, 217-244. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2021.

“Luther as a German Hero.” In Martin Luther in Context, edited by David M. Whitford, 409-416. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.

“The Enduring Importance of Luther’s Exposition of the Old Testament as Christian Revelation.” In Defending Luther’s Reformation: Its Ongoing Significance in the Face of Contemporary Challenges, edited by John A. Maxfield, 123-53.St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2017.

(Editor). Defending Luther’s Reformation: Its Ongoing Significance in the Face of Contemporary Challenges.St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2017.

Introduction, Translations, and Annotations, “Selected Letters of Pastoral and Spiritual Counsel.” In The Annotated Luther. Vol. 4: Pastoral Writings, edited by Mary Jane Haemig, 429-73. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2016.

“Biblical Commentary: Old Testament.” In The Oxford Encyclopedia of Martin Luther, (edited by Derek R. Nelson and Paul R. Hinlicky, 1:166-181. 3 vols. Oxford: Oxford University, 2017.

“Martin Luther as Professor of Theology and Teacher of the Bible: The Preface to His Genesis Lectures (1543).” Lutheran Theological Journal 49, no. 2 (August 2015): 74-85.

“Martin Luther’s Swan Song: Luther’s Students, Melanchthon, and the Publication of the Lectures on Genesis (1544-1554).” Lutherjahrbuch. Organ der internationalen Lutherforschung 81 (2014): 224-48.

“Martin Luther and Idolatry.” In The Reformation as Christianization: Essays on Scott Hendrix’s Christianization Thesis, edited by Anna Marie Johnson and John A. Maxfield. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012,

(with Anna Marie Johnson). Introduction to The Reformation as Christianization: Essays on Scott Hendrix’s Christianization Thesis.

“Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin on the Significance of Christ’s Death.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 75, nos. 1-2 (January/April 2011): 87-106.

Introduction and annotations to Martin Luther, Preface to Caspar Huberinus, On the Wrath and Mercy of God (1 Samuel 2 [:6]) and How One Should Comfort and Speak to the Dying (1534). Luther’s Works. American Edition, vol. 60:66-69. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2011.

Introduction and annotations to Martin Luther, Preface to Wenceslaus Linck, Annotations to the Five Books of Moses (1543). Luther’s Works. American Edition, vol. 60:295-302. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2011.

“The Freedom of the Will in Catholic Reform and Counter Reformation.” Evangelical Lutheran Synod Quarterly 49/1 (March 2009): 59-79.

“Martin Luther on Hearing Holy Scripture as the Word of God.” In The Pieper Lectures. Volume 9: The Bible in the History of the Lutheran Church. Edited by John A. Maxfield, 1-18. St. Louis: Concordia Historical Institute and The Luther Academy, 2005.

“Divine Providence, History and Progress in Saint Augustine’s City of God.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 66/4 (October 2002): 339-60.

“Catholic or Heretic? Martin Luther as Rebel and Reformer.” In The Pieper Lectures. Volume 5: Lutheran Catholicity. Edited by John A. Maxfield, 34-57. St. Louis: Concordia Historical Institute and The Luther Academy, 2001.