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Pithy Luther
Quotes
Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
 Baptism
We should be on our guard against the anabaptists and sectarian spirits, who
speak contemptuously of Baptism and say that it is nothing but ordinary water,
which helps no one. They look at the sacred act as a cow looks at a new gate;
for they see a poor preacher standing there or some woman who baptizes in an
emergency, are offended at the sight, and say: Indeed! What might Baptism be?
Moreover, they state: Whoever does not believe is really not baptized. In this
way they dishonor and blaspheme the most worthy Sacrament, not seeing any
farther than a horse or a cow sees...
Luther Works, Weimar edition, volume 46, page 687
Bible
Let the man who would hear God speak read Holy Scripture.
Luther Works, Weimar edition, volume 54, page 263
Church
This is the true church, not cowls, tonsures and long robes, of which the Word
of God knows nothing. But rather, wherever two or three are gathered together,
if only they have before them the Word of God, and believe and trust in it,
there is most certainly the real, ancient, true apostolic church.
Luther Works, volume 51, pages 310-311
Dancing
Is it a sin to pipe and dance at a wedding, since they say that much sin comes
from dancing? Whether the Jews had dances I do not know. But since it is the
custom of the land -- just as inviting guests, decorating the house, eating and
drinking and being merry are customary -- I do not know why I should condemn it
unless people go out of bounds, and the dance becomes indecent or is carried too
far. But the dance alone is not to blame for the fact that people commit sin
while it is going on, for they commit such sins even at table and in church. In
like manner, eating and drinking are not to blame for the fact that some folk
turn into pigs. But where decency prevails, I let the wedding run its usual and
rightful course and dance as much as I please.
Luther Works, Weimar edition, volume 17 II, page 64
Wealth
Wealth is God's gift. One should not discard it; one should thank God for it and
use it in a Christian manner.
Luther Works, Weimar edition, volume 47, page 356
Grace
"It's very hard for a man to believe that God is gracious to him. The human heart can't grasp this."
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