Off the Record with Martin Luther [Paperback]

Martin Luther (Author), Paul L. Maier (Foreword), Charles J. Daudert (Commentary)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2009

An original translation of the Table Talks from the Weimar Edition with commentary by Charles J. Daudert and Foreword by Dr. Paul L. Maier. This is the first and only authentic popular translation of the conversations around the Luther dinner table from original Medieval German and Latin sources. Although a limited number of the Weimar Edition Table Talks have been previously translated by Fortress Press/Concordia Publishing House, this edition of OFF THE RECORD WITH MARTIN LUTHER presents a complete picture of the Reformation and Luther family life. Other works currently in print are reprints of a discredited collection translated into English in the 17th Century which contain very few of the authentic Table Talks in this edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Hansa-Hewlett Publishing Co. (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945732066
• ISBN-13: 978-0945732068
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Off The Record With Martin Luther, June 3, 2009

By 

James S. Gunderson (Pine River, MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Off the Record with Martin Luther (Paperback)

Off The Record With Martin LutherThis is a remarkable book. I had no idea the conversations around the Luther dinner table had been recorded by the students. Dr.Paul Maier tells us that Daudert has done a great job of translating, and I have to agree. Dr. Maier is a second vice president of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, and a professor of ancient history. He received his doctor's degree from the University of Basel, Switzerland, and has himself translated from Latin and German. Thus, he knows whereof he speaks! Dr Maier himself has several books with several million copies in print.

I like the way the book is put together, and as stated on the back cover, you do get the feeling you are sitting right there with the great reformer, listening to his valuable wisdoms. There is so much insight to Luther's life and theology, his family and academic life, the history of the reformation, and the great courage of this "real" man, that it must be read over and over. And Christian or not, Lutheran or not, I highly recommend experiencing the wisdom expounded by Luther in this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to get to know Luther!, June 15, 2009

By 

George Kalhorn - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Off the Record with Martin Luther (Paperback)

I had no idea Martin Luther was such an entertaining man. And it appears that he was an all around person, not at all the pious monk depicted in the movie. He was the head of the Theology Department at Wittenberg University. He was witty, funny, drank a little himself, and the author of more wise proverbs than I thought possible. In the Foreword, Dr. Maier warns us of Luther's language. Most of the best stuff has been edited out and is on the publisher's website at www.hansa-hewlett.com. If there is ever a reprint of this book, I recommend that it all be included and nothing left out.

The conversations at Luther's table are highly informative. In his own words, we learn about his life as a monk, his crisis of faith and the break with the Church at Rome. I believe several Lutheran ministers would profit from reading his section on Advice to the Clergy, i.e., how to preach a sermon and when to stop.

I like the idea that Luther's comments are catalogued under the name of the student who took the notes at the table, and everything is made vivid and alive by giving us the date. The several commentaries to the Luther "Table Talks" help put everything in perspective. I highly recommend this book to everyone looking for some meaningful comments regarding what life is all about...not just the Lutheran life, or the Christian life. The photographs, which I have not seen before, are a treasure in themselves."

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book, June 23, 2009

By 

Virginia Moore (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Off the Record with Martin Luther (Paperback)

I am a life-long Lutheran and thought I knew Martin Luther fairly well. This book, however, has presented him to me in a different light and has helped me understand him more fully as a human being. The way it is organized makes it an easy book to pick up and read as much or as little as one wants at a time. I really enjoyed reading it.