By Dr. Martin Luther. First published in 1566 in German, the “Table Talk” (as it is now more commonly known) is a collection of the towering Protestant Reformer’s informal, wide-ranging, often colorful and sometimes controversial conversations about topics ranging from Scripture to the sacraments, from the lives of the saints to the learning of scholastics, from civil magistrates to sacred music—and almost everything in-between.
Luther’s “Table Talk” presents highlights from conversations (as the title page has it) “with divers Learned Men” on a wide range of theological, Scriptural, historical and social subjects; it also affords valuable and frequently eye-opening insights into “the opinions, motives, reading, daily life, and personal attitude of the greatest German of his age.
No dry treatises these, the selections, arranged topically, are usually concise and straightforward, frequently marked by humorous anecdotes, sharp (and merciless) wit, and unrestrained zeal for the work of ecclesial reformation.
Nearly all the copies of the original work were destroyed by order of Pope Gregory XIII (1572–1585), and possession of it was punishable by death. A single copy, wrapped in linen and coated in beeswax, had been secretly buried and was accidentally unearthed nearly 70 years after its banning. It was smuggled to England by Captain Henry Bell, who was responsible for its translation and first English publication in 1652.
This new edition has been hand-proofed and completely reset to ensure that it contains none of the imperfections which mar either the original or reproduction versions.
CONTENTS
Chapter XXIII: Of Antichrist
Chapter XXIV: Of Human Traditions
Chapter XXV: Of the Mass
Chapter XXVI: Of Purgatory
Chapter XXVII: Of General Councils
Chapter XXVIII: Of Imperial Diets
Chapter XXIX: Of the Books of the Fathers of the Church
Chapter XXX: Of School Divines
Chapter XXXI: Of the Books of the Old and New Testaments
Chapter XXXII: Of the Patriarchs and Prophets
Chapter XXXIII: Of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ
Chapter XXXIV: Of Angels
Chapter XXXV: Of the Devil and His Works
Chapter XXXVI: Of Temptation and Tribulation
Chapter XXXVII: Of Luther’s Adversaries that Wrote against Him
Chapter XXXVIII: Of Certain Papists’ Fearful and Sudden Deaths
Chapter XXXIX: Of Friars, of Their Lives and Good Days
Chapter XL: Of Cardinals and Bishops
Chapter XLI: Of the Pope’s Spiritual Laws
Chapter XLII: Luther’s Discourse of Ceremonies
Chapter XLIII: Luther’s Discourse of Seducers and Sectaries that Opposed Him
Chapter XLIV: Of Christians and a Christian Life
Chapter XLV: Of Hypocrites and False Brethren
Chapter XLVI: Of Sophistry
Chapter XLVII: Of Offences
Chapter XLVIII: Of the True Service of God
Chapter XLIX: Of Matrimony
Chapter L: Of Magistrates and Rulers
Chapter LI: Of Potentates and Princes
Chapter LII: Of Discord
Chapter LIII: Of Sicknesses; and of the Causes Thereof
Chapter LIV: Of Death
Chapter LV: Of the Resurrection from the Dead
Chapter LVI: Of Damnation and Hell
Chapter LVII: Of the Last Day of Judgment
Chapter LVIII: Of Allegories
Chapter LIX: Of the Legends of the Saints
Chapter LX: Of Spiritual and Church-livings
Chapter LXI: Of Wars
Chapter LXII: Of Surpassing Warlike Captains and Champions
Chapter LXIII: Of Constrained Defence
Chapter LXIV: Of the Nobility
Chapter LXV: Of Lawyers
Chapter LXVI: Of Schools and Universities
Chapter LXVII: Of Music
Chapter LXVIII: Of Languages
Chapter LXIX: Of Astronomy and Astrology
Chapter LXX: Of Signs in the Air
Chapter LXXI: Of Studying
Chapter LXXII: Of Learned Men
Chapter LXXIII: Of the Jews
Chapter LXXIV: Of the Turks
Chapter LXXV: Of Countries and Cities
Chapter LXXVI: Of Rome
Chapter LXXVII: Of Vocation and Calling
Chapter LXXVIII: Of Drunkenness
Chapter LXXIX: Of the Court Life
Preface
Catechism
Luther’s Daily Manual
Relative Duties, Expressed in Scripture Words by Luther
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