audiobook Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel (Library of Christian Classics) by Martin Luther in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Primary Resource for Luther as a Pastoral CounselorBy Robert W. KellemenFor primary research into Martin Luther as a pastoral counselor; you can do no better than Tappert's "Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel." Not only is this a splendid collation; but Tappert's introductions to the letters provide the excellent historical background needed to understand the situational context. In writing; "Counseling Under the Cross: How Martin Luther Applied the Gospel to Daily Life;" I relied greatly on this fine resource; along with August Nebe's "Luther as Spiritual Advisor;" Luther's "Table Talks;" and "Luther's Works; Letters I; II; and III."22 of 22 people found the following review helpful. Relevant Pastoral Counsel for TodayBy RivendellThis book is a very readable collection of Martin Luther's pastoral letters; organized topically by chapters; and chronologically within the chapters. The "Letters of Spiritual Counsel" give insight into the pastoral heart of Luther; and how he applied the correction of the Law and the comfort of the Gospel to the daily lives and affairs of people in his time. The reader clearly learns how Luther brought the consolation of Christ's death and resurrection to the troubled at heart. Sections that I found particularly helpful were those that dealt with people who were sick and dying; as well as with the families of the recently deceased; how he dealt with people who were troubled over their election to salvation; and his advice in matters of the civil realm. One of the best sections is his advice to clergymen; in which he gives suggestions on how a pastor should deal evangelically with various troubles in the congregation. Overall the letters show how Luther sought to turn people to Christ alone for their salvation; and how this specifically served to comfort them in a multitude of daily matters. This book would be an excellent resource for any pastor or seminary student; and can easily be read in bits and pieces since most of the letters are relatively short. Despite the difference in time periods; a modern pastor will recognize the problems that Luther approaches are familiar to us today; and much of Luther's pastoral insight has enduring value for today.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Worthy Reference to Pastors Interested LaypeopleBy rodboomboomConcurring totally with Reviewer Joshua's summary of the contents and its usefulness to the faith; this review will content itself with the humble addition of several quotes to highlight this delightfully rich resource for the church.First; a fascinating and relevant inquiry into ceremonies and rites of worship involving elevation of the Sacrament and processions; etc.; Luther saliently responds in part: "If your lord; the margrace and elector; etc. permits the gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached with purity and power (goes on to add administration of the Sacraments as Christ mandated; removal of invocation of the saints; etc.) in procession; go along in the Lord's name and carry a gold or silver cross and wear a cope or alb..." He adds further along: "Only do not let such things be regarded as necessary for salvation and thus bind the consciences of men. How I would rejoice and thank God if I could persuade the pope and the papists of this! If the pope gave me the freedom to go about and preach and only commanded me (with a dispensation) to hitch on a pair of trousers; I should be glad to do him the favor of wearing them."Further relevant is this encouragement to a German prince going into battle with the Turks: "Secondly; I beg that those on our side may not place their reliance on the Turk's being altogether wrong and God's emeny while we are innocent and righteous in comparison with the Turk; for such presumption is also vain. Rather it is necessary to fight with fear of God and reliance on his grace alone. We too are unrighteous in God's sight."Finally; this admonition to Bruck who read the Augsburg Confession in public: "As we read in Rom. ch. 8; we know not what we should pray for as we ought. If God should hear our prayers according to our request--namely; that the emperor grant us peace-- perhaps it would turn out to be less rather than more than we think and the emperor would get the glory insted of God. Now God himself desires to give us peace so that the glory might be his alone; as it is fitting."