Martin Luther, a brilliant, multi-lingual theologian and scholar, never lost his bond with the common man. That reality is evident in Table Talk, in his sermons, and in his Small Catechism. Luther and his wife, Katie, lived in a large house that provided an ideal setting for the frequent gatherings of Luther's peers and those who simply wanted to hear more from their spiritual leader. This book is perhaps the most candid look we have into the life and thoughts of Luther. It has its spiritually inspiring moments but for the most part is just good solid Luther logic. At the time of the Reformation Martin Luther was a professor in the theology department of the University of Wittenberg at Wittenberg, Germany. He was also the regional head of the Augustinian Monks, and resided in the Augustine monastery at Wittenberg, a few blocks from the university. As a result of the Reformation, the Augustinian order in Northern Germany was disbanded. The ruler of that area, the German Elector Friedrick the Wise, who supported and protected Martin Luther, gave Luther the building which had housed the Augustinian monks. It consisted of 26 sleeping rooms, a study, dining room and other common areas. When Luther married, he and his wife lived in the building and raised a family. To support Luther's meager professor's salary, they took in boarders, who were fellow professors and students. The professors and graduate students realized that the comments at the Luther dinner table contained philosophical and religious wisdoms that should be preserved, and they took down what was said in shorthand, and later transcribed the full text into notebooks in their rooms. A collection of these "Table Talks" by Johannes Aurifaber was published in 1566, twenty years after Luther died. Aurifaber had boarded at the Luther household during the year 1545 and until Luther's death in February, 1546. He was Luther's last clerk, and was with Luther at the time of his death. In addition to collecting manuscripts of other table guest, Aurifaber recorded the table conversations during Luther's last months. The Aurifaber collection was the only known form of the Table Talks for more than 300 years.
About the Author
Martin Luther (1483-1546) initiated the Protestant Reformation. As a priest and theology professor, he confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his The Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. Luther strongly disputed their claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Edict of Worms meeting in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the emperor. Martin Luther taught that salvation is not from good works, but a free gift of God, received only by grace through faith in Jesus as redeemer from sin. His theology challenged the authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic Church by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge and opposed sacerdotalism by considering all baptised Christians to be a holy priesthood. Those who identify with Luther's teachings are called Lutherans. His translation of the Bible into the language of the people (instead of Latin) made it more accessible, causing a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. It fostered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation into English of the King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of singing in churches. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry.
Description:
Martin Luther, a brilliant, multi-lingual theologian and scholar, never lost his bond with the common man. That reality is evident in Table Talk, in his sermons, and in his Small Catechism. Luther and his wife, Katie, lived in a large house that provided an ideal setting for the frequent gatherings of Luther's peers and those who simply wanted to hear more from their spiritual leader. This book is perhaps the most candid look we have into the life and thoughts of Luther. It has its spiritually inspiring moments but for the most part is just good solid Luther logic. At the time of the Reformation Martin Luther was a professor in the theology department of the University of Wittenberg at Wittenberg, Germany. He was also the regional head of the Augustinian Monks, and resided in the Augustine monastery at Wittenberg, a few blocks from the university. As a result of the Reformation, the Augustinian order in Northern Germany was disbanded. The ruler of that area, the German Elector Friedrick the Wise, who supported and protected Martin Luther, gave Luther the building which had housed the Augustinian monks. It consisted of 26 sleeping rooms, a study, dining room and other common areas. When Luther married, he and his wife lived in the building and raised a family. To support Luther's meager professor's salary, they took in boarders, who were fellow professors and students. The professors and graduate students realized that the comments at the Luther dinner table contained philosophical and religious wisdoms that should be preserved, and they took down what was said in shorthand, and later transcribed the full text into notebooks in their rooms. A collection of these "Table Talks" by Johannes Aurifaber was published in 1566, twenty years after Luther died. Aurifaber had boarded at the Luther household during the year 1545 and until Luther's death in February, 1546. He was Luther's last clerk, and was with Luther at the time of his death. In addition to collecting manuscripts of other table guest, Aurifaber recorded the table conversations during Luther's last months. The Aurifaber collection was the only known form of the Table Talks for more than 300 years.
About the Author
Martin Luther (1483-1546) initiated the Protestant Reformation. As a priest and theology professor, he confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his The Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. Luther strongly disputed their claim that freedom from God's punishment of sin could be purchased with money. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Edict of Worms meeting in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the emperor. Martin Luther taught that salvation is not from good works, but a free gift of God, received only by grace through faith in Jesus as redeemer from sin. His theology challenged the authority of the pope of the Roman Catholic Church by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge and opposed sacerdotalism by considering all baptised Christians to be a holy priesthood. Those who identify with Luther's teachings are called Lutherans. His translation of the Bible into the language of the people (instead of Latin) made it more accessible, causing a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. It fostered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation into English of the King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of singing in churches. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage, allowing Protestant priests to marry.