Martin Luther Selections From His Writings

Ah, the illustrious year of 1961: the dawn of the mini-skirt, the height of the space race, and the year the world was graced with John Dillenberger’s "Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings." A title so riveting, it might just catapult you back to the 16th century, if not quite literally, then at least through the dense fog of theological puns and ponderings. Imagine sipping tea while being serenaded by the musings of a man who once nailed his grievances to a church door. A true romantic, isn’t he?

In this hefty anthology, Dillenberger, presumably with a quill and an inkpot, has stitched together a patchwork of Luther’s most profound thoughts, suitable for both the academic and the mildly curious. It’s like the literary equivalent of a buffet where you’re uncertain if you want the roast or the mystery casserole at the end of the line. Will you find yourself devouring spicy morsels of doctrine, or will you suffer the indigestion of historical context? One can only hope the book comes with a disclaimer: "Read at your own risk!"

As you leaf through the yellowed pages—electronically unencumbered and blissfully devoid of an ISBN, you’ll find yourself contemplating the weighty matters of salvation, grace, and, dare we say it, indulgences. Who wouldn’t want to know what Martin Luther had to say about a good day’s work? Spoiler alert: he does not recommend procrastination, especially if one has a reformation to instigate.

But wait! There’s more! You see, this isn’t merely a collection of pious notes from a man who rebelled against the Catholic Church; it’s a veritable time capsule of 1960s academia. Dillenberger’s commentary laces each selection with a pinch of irony and a dash of sarcasm, probably meant to soften the sometimes austere edges of Luther’s theology. It’s like that friend who shows up at a party dressed as Martin Luther but manages to fit in with the crowd by cracking jokes about indulgences and the state of the papacy. How charming! How bold!

• Discover the original 95 ways to annoy the church (minus the hashtags).
• Experience the joys of Latin translations—because who doesn’t love a linguistic workout?
• Unravel the mystery of why nailing things to doors went out of style.
• Giggle at the Renaissance man’s version of ’hot takes’ on faith and reason.
• Wonder if the Reformation would have gone differently if Luther had a Twitter account.

But don’t let the book’s age fool you into thinking it’s as dusty as its pages may suggest. No, dear reader. This is not just a book; it’s a conversation starter, an intellectual icebreaker, and perhaps the only thing standing between you and a particularly awkward silence at your next dinner party. "Ah, yes, I do enjoy a good theological debate over roast lamb. Have you read Luther?"

Condition: Used, in a state that others might refer to as ‘well-loved’ or ‘gently crumbling,’ depending on your penchant for euphemism. The cover retains its dignified charm, albeit with a few scratches and maybe a tea stain or two—evidence of its previous life as a companion to someone who likely experienced existential dread while pondering the meaning of faith. No one’s perfect, not even literary tomes.

So, if you find yourself yearning for a dose of historical irony, theological discourse, or simply an amusing read to accompany your afternoon tea, look no further than "Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings." It’s available at Crappy Old Books, where we believe old tales deserve a second chance—preferably with a side of irony.

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