An Open Letter on Translating

In this vivid, 16th‑century missive a reformer confronts the heated debate over how the Bible should be rendered in the vernacular. He replies to a friend’s questions about his translation of Paul’s words on faith and works, defending his choice to omit the term “alone” and insisting that fidelity to the original spirit matters more than literal wording. The letter opens with a moral appeal, invoking Scripture to argue that withholding true understanding harms the whole Christian community.

The writer’s tone is both combative and self‑aware; he accuses his opponents of linguistic ignorance while insisting his German rendering is a service to those unable to read Latin. He acknowledges the possibility of error, yet challenges critics to produce a better version before passing judgment. Listeners will hear a rare glimpse into the personal stakes of the Reformation, where language, theology, and authority collided in a struggle that still echoes in modern translation debates.