Home > Work > Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 38-44 (Luther's Works, #7)
1 " Thus the Turks also regard us as damned because of the disasters and troubles we endure. But they promise themselves eternal happiness because they flourish in this life with wealth and power. This is the Egyptian philosophy and the Turkish religion. The Christian doctrine refutes it, as is taught elsewhere. "
― Martin Luther , Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 38-44 (Luther's Works, #7)
2 " They testify that nature is not changed but is preserved by God. But the stupid and crazy mob of monks has taught that parents, wives, and the world should be abandoned and that one should withdraw into a monastery. But what is to become of human society or finally of all life? Surely that was not sanctity or worship of God, as they have called it; it was satanic madness. "
3 " He who does not fear the truth should fear a lie and should worship an image or a phantom as God. "
4 " Thus over and above the fact that we sin gravely against God, we also afflict ourselves; we take a stand against ourselves and fight until a brother comes up to console and buoy us up with the Word and say: “Why are you insane? Why are you imagining things in your dreams? You are mistaken. God is not angry with you; He has taken away your sin, etc.” For a heart that tortures itself needs such a remedy and the comfort of a brother. "
5 " Thus although Nebuchadnezzar no longer remembered his dream, yet he could not forget the impression it made. "
6 " God has found out the guilt of your servants; "
7 " Accordingly, since a good nature and the Holy Spirit were joined, he had to become a distinguished poet, and there is no doubt at all that throughout his governorship he produced many other poems and contrived many other artifices of this kind that are not recorded in this book. But from this one example one can judge what kind of prophet he was, a man of the highest talent and spirit. In addition to these gifts, he had practice and experience in many troubles and vexations. "
8 " God is the Poet, and we are the verses or songs He writes. "
9 " Thus a certain Silvanus refused to look at the sun because it was a physical light. At last, however, he saw in a vision that hell was full of monks.5 God undoubtedly abominates and condemns the superstitions of those men. "
10 " And had it not been for our prayer and word, Germany would doubtless be in a different condition; and if she had been without the word which we teach and without our prayers, conditions in Germany would be in a most wretched plight. "
11 " it is completely contrary to the nature of sin to confess that one has sinned. "
12 " There is nothing more insufferable and poisonous on earth than a barefoot monk. "
13 " and whatever good Germany has is not the result of her own power, virtue, or wisdom, but has been received from those rejected, despised, and accursed people who are called Christians "
14 " We, who teach the Word purely with great zeal and diligence, and seek nothing else than the welfare of Germany, are bearing the bitterest hatred and envy of all classes. "
15 " For if the world were without godly men and those who are to be saved, it would not stand; and when the last saints are living, the Last Day will soon come. For God has no concern for the state and the household except for the sake of the church. "
