Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German monk, priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. 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 Diet of Worms in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the Emperor. -wikipedia

Martin Luther's commentary upon the Sermon of the Mount is lively, informed, and a perfect gateway to the writings of the great Renaissance theologian and Bible scholar. As the exemplifying source of Jesus Christ's moral teachings, the Sermon on the Mount comprises of the most famous and widely discussed passages in the New Testament Gospels. Oft-quoted and synonymous with Christianity, the teachings of the Lord Jesus include the Lord's Prayer; the proverb-like Beatitudes; and phrases such as 'salt of the earth' which remain popular to this day. Luther offers a frank and respectful interpretation of the Sermon of the Mount, discussing at length the fifth and sixth chapters of the Book of Matthew, which is where the principle body of Christ's moral teachings reside. Famously effusive and enthusiastic about the possibilities of the recently invented printing press, Luther prefaces his words with hope that they will prove of insight and value to many Christians far and wide. This edition of Luther's commentary is translated to English by Charles Augustus Hay, himself a scholar of Christianity. Publishing several translations of famous works from across religious history, Hay's education in theology and long association with academia was accompanied by a pastorship in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Martin Luther's explanations of various aspects of religious belief, including the more difficult to understand elements of Biblical lore, remain an excellent point of reference for scholars and believers alike. Writing in the early 16th century, Luther was all too mindful of the fact that the Bible had only recently begun to be printed and distributed among the Christian laity. Indeed, it was the Catholic church's attempts to forbid this practice that formed one of the pillars of the Protestant Reformation - Luther, as one of the foremost figures in the Reformation, considered universal access to holy knowledge of great importance. Seizing the initiative, Luther embarked on a series of commentaries concerning Biblical books such as Galatians and Deutronomy. This collection of 'Table Talk' however is less a formal, organized narrative and more a set of lucid insights on various topics related to Christianity. Much of the collection is based from notes taken during Luther's talks with his students, when he was either at home or taking walks in nature. Underpinning the book is Martin Luther's commitment to practicality in faith. Having believers understand the core concepts of the Bible and Christian history was, in his view, crucial to the vitality of the faith. Thus, he talks about subjects such as baptism, the holy ghost, the disciples of Christ, and of scientific pursuits such as astronomy in relation to God.