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Table-talk

Dr. Martin Luther

Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a leader of the Protestant Reformation and namesake of the Lutheran Tradition. He was born in Eisleben and was well-educated before entering the University of Erfurt. It was there that, rather than pursue an advanced law degree, Luther became an Augustinian monk. Between 1505 and 1512 he studied and lectured in theology, punctuated by achievement of his Doctorate at Wittenberg. By 1517 Luther was realizing in full the doctrine of justification by faith, as declared by the apostle Paul and Augustine. His publication of 95 theses against indulgences sparked protest throughout Germany, forcing Luther to defend his theology in disputations at Heidelberg and Leipzig. His treatises of 1520 brought him into greater conflict with the papacy, and he was excommunicated. After the Diet of Worms in 1521, he continued to define and uphold his theology, seeking to reform the Church, emphasizing the authority of Scripture and the Pauline doctrine of justification.

An anecdotal compendium of Luther's teaching, compiled by his closest disciples.

(Tischreden) This is a collection of Luther's conversations and teachings as recorded and compiled by some of his closest friends and disciples (principally John Aurifaber and Antony Lauterbach). The teachings – sometimes little more than short sayings – are divided into 850 sections and organized according to theological topics. The first German edition was published in 1566, and was reprinted several times, before a new edition appeared in 1569 – it has since been reprinted numerous times. The recorded conversations cover an incredibly wide range of topics – theological, scholarly, philosophical, rhetorical – often laced with humor, wit, or biting satire, and usually not without some degree of wisdom or insight. Many of Luther's contemporaries are discussed, as well as past figures and events of Church History. It is a true anecdotal compendium of Luther's thought, and is rather unique as a historical testament. This version contains Aurifaber's lengthy preface from the 1569 edition.

Church History

Luther's Conversations and Teachings