The Wit of Martin Luther

by Eric W. Gritsch

Eric Gritsch ties Luther's wit and humor to his sharp polemical exploitation of the absurd or incongruous in service to his Reform. At a deeper level Luther'swit and witticisms reflected his keen appreciation of human frailty and theunknowability of things divine. Luther, Gritsch shows, especially relished humor in his interpretation of the Bible, in his pastoral relationships, and in hisencounters with death. Ultimately humor in face of mortality is a gauge of human freedom, a "lightening up" that makes of life a divine comedy.

Genres: History, Christian, Theology

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Adam Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare to find a book that intersects between theology and humor, likely because the theologians take themselves more seriously than God, because they take themselves more seriously than life does. Nevertheless, this little book on the wit of Martin Luther isn't just a compilation of Luther's more uproarious sayings, but a real effort to integrate his humor and wit directly into the heart of his theology. The result is the Luther comes off less like a late-night comedian and more like a man drunk in the joy of salvation. This salvation is one that is decidedly physical, involving all those bodily functions that God created and pronounced "good" which we are unable (thanks to our Victorian, Gnostic heritage) to talk about without going red in the face and a vigorous clearing of the throat. "I'm like a ripe stool," Luther said to his wife as he neared death, "and the world's like a gigantic anus, and we're about to let go of each other." Tends to shock the modern mind, but then again, the anus was created good and the metaphor is striking and apt. This is a wonderful little book about the basis for theological ribaldary and play. Luther would have gotten The Glare from many old church ladies today, but he was a supremely faithful Christian. We have a long way to recovering that balance. This little book is a good start (coupled with Douglas Wilson's excellent A Serrated Edge).

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick little look at the wit of Luther as expressed due to his escatological view. Some great quotes and also some interesting things about Luther that I did not know. I deeply admire him.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, pretty good book on Luther as a humorist. Also pretty revealing in understanding the nature of humor and wit to battle seriousness and depression. Only wish is that it would've had more hilarious Lutheran liners.

My favorites:

(Luther before his death. Also, he loved scatological humor.) "I'm like a ripe stool and the world's like a gigantic anus and we're about to let go of each other."

"Out of a desperate ass never comes a cheerful fart."

"Whoever is not handsome at twenty, not strong at thirty, not wise at forty and is not rich at fifty might as well give up hope. Age does not protect against foolishness."

"Tomorrow I have to lecture on the drunkenness of Noah, so I should drink enough this evening to be able to talk about that wickedness as one who knows by experience."

[Hank Pharis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out very promising but did not end up being as good as I hoped. It is however still helpful in recognizing how often Luther used humor, sarcasm etc. I had observed this but never really put it together how much he used it.

[Linda Bolthwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned may things I didn't know about Luther. He was quite a character.

[Erie Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and interesting!

[Eric Vanderhoofven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thouroughly enjoyed this book, and I was glad that this book was more of look at Luther's theology and how his humor correlated with it. Sadly we tend to take ourselves way too seriously and take God too lightly. This book helped me to do the opposite.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff!

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable reading regarding Luther's sense of humor in communication.