Table Talk Author:Martin Luther Martin Luther, a brilliant, multi-lingual theologian and scholar, never lost his bond with the common man. That reality is evident in Table Talk, in his sermons, and in his Small Catechism. Luther and his wife, Katie, lived in a large house that provided an ideal setting for the frequent gatherings of Luther's peers and those who simply wanted t... more »o hear more from their spiritual leader. This book is perhaps the most candid look we have into the life and thoughts of Luther. It has its spiritually inspiring moments but for the most part is just good solid Luther logic. At the time of the Reformation Martin Luther was a professor in the theology department of the University of Wittenberg at Wittenberg, Germany. He was also the regional head of the Augustinian Monks, and resided in the Augustine monastery at Wittenberg, a few blocks from the university. As a result of the Reformation, the Augustinian order in Northern Germany was disbanded. The ruler of that area, the German Elector Friedrick the Wise, who supported and protected Martin Luther, gave Luther the building which had housed the Augustinian monks. It consisted of 26 sleeping rooms, a study, dining room and other common areas. When Luther married, he and his wife lived in the building and raised a family. To support Luther's meager professor's salary, they took in boarders, who were fellow professors and students. The professors and graduate students realized that the comments at the Luther dinner table contained philosophical and religious wisdoms that should be preserved, and they took down what was said in shorthand, and later transcribed the full text into notebooks in their rooms. A collection of these "Table Talks" by Johannes Aurifaber was published in 1566, twenty years after Luther died. Aurifaber had boarded at the Luther household during the year 1545 and until Luther's death in February, 1546. He was Luther's last clerk, and was with Luther at the time of his death. In addition to collecting manuscripts of other table guest, Aurifaber recorded the table conversations during Luther's last months. The Aurifaber collection was the only known form of the Table Talks for more than 300 years.« less