There’s Humor in Theology 11
September 11, 2006 by Fraiser
Luther was known for his confession that he was a sinner. He didn’t just confess that he was some generic sinner; he named his sins and confessed them in detail. This was true throughout his life both pre-conversion and post. Perhaps this penchant for being open about his sinfulness was what also lead to his transparency about his personal life. The following excerpt of a letter to Katie is but one example of Luther’s many personal disclosures that might lead a person today to say “TMI, Luther! TMI!”
But thank God now I am well, except for the fact that beautiful women tempt me so much that I neither care nor worry about becoming unchaste….I am drinking beer from Naumburg which tastes to me almost like beer from Mansfeld which you praised to me. It agrees with me well and gives me about three bowel movements in three hours in the morning (Eric W. Gritsch, The Wit of Martin Luther [Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006], 96).
Posted in Church History, There's Humor in Theology | 4 Comments
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Katie must have been a truly remarkable woman. It goes without saying that writing such things to one’s wife is not generally the best way to get on her good side!
KWR
Good stuff man . . . my wife loves it when I’m that candid with my day . . .
Guiseppi,
Are you really saying she loves to hear about your bowel movements? You might want to check with her before you answer.
KWR
Actually, she asks me how my day went and my usuall responds is, “good.”
Of course that falls far short of what she really wants me to say (bowel movemants excluded) . . .