#MartinBrecht articulates well that, for Luther, "Understanding cannot be simply theoretical, but requires practical experience. The more complex situations are, that much more is the demand for experience." This is derived from Luther's last written statement on 2.16.1546
#MartinLuther p 374 vol 3
About the jurists "quibbling over words" who "did not want to understand one another" #MartinLuther referred to them as, "'plagues of the human race'" p 373, vol. 3
I guess it's always been a thing to dislike lawyers...
"At sixty-three years of age he considered himself a very old man. For him, his sense of age came from having 'seen the devil's ass' and from being able to testify to his wickedness." p. 372 vol. 3
Let's be real "Saw the Devil's Ass" might be a great last few words for the world to see when they visit your headstone...
Bullinger, however, believed a confrontation was unavoidable if Luther insisted on his unjust condemnation of the Zurich clergy. With the same intention as Bucer, John Calvin in Geneva also contacted Melanchthon and found understanding with him. The Genevan reformer had already entered Luther’s field of view in 1539. Only a year later Luther was accurately noting Calvin’s learnedness, but also that there were differences between them on the Lord’s Supper. In this respect he remained suspect for Luther.” p. 328 vol. 3
To Duke Albrecht of Prussia in 1538 when he asked Luther to answer some questions, #MartinLuther wrote, "'I, Dr. Martinus, have neither the strength nor the time to answer Prussia, but I'll do it as soon as I can.'" (pp. 316-317, vol. 3) #MartinBrecht
#Medieval #Boundaries for the win.
in 1538 Amberg wanted to "introduce the Reformation" so authorities asked Luther and Melanchthon for recs. Per #MartinBrecht "They could recommend only Andreas Hügel from Salzburg, who was qualified but 'not good looking' and who did not have a powerful voice." (p. 313, vol. 3, #MartinLuther)
Wow, Luther and Melanchthon really reaching for the bottom of the barrel, all the hot preachers were employed... What the actual hell am I reading...
"The Wittenberg theologians thought nothing would come of new efforts to win the English king [King Henry VIII]. They thought he was stubborn and acting contrary to his conscience with his new religious politics. They clearly saw that Henry's ecclesiastical decisions were made only for political reasons and that he interpreted the truth however he pleased. In a case like this there was no sense in instructing him theologically; at most they could consider sending another admonition, which was then written by Melanchthon." p. 63 vol. 3
Zwingli on Luther and Luther's relationship with the Swiss in the early 1530s specifically about the eucharist, "Not everything 'that Luther poops is a rose.'" p. 40 Vol. 3
qtd in #MartinBrecht #MartinLuther
A brief evening prayer from Luther, "'My dear God, now I lie down and turn your affairs back to you; you may do better with them. If you can do no better than I, you will ruin them entirely. When I awake, I will gladly try again.'" p. 14 (Vol 3)
About preaching simply and "not for the scholars", "'In the pulpit one should bare one's breast and give the people milk to drink, for eery day a new church is growing up, and it needs the rudiments.'" pg. 13, vol 3
the rev. dr. lauren re larkin