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Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel
Martin Luther is often thought of as a world-shaking figure who defied papacy and empire to introduce a reformation in the teaching, worship, organization, and life of the Church. Sometimes it is forgotten that he was also a pastor and shepherd of souls. Collected in this volume are Luther's letters of spiritual counsel, which he offered to his contemporaries in the midst of sickness, death, persecution, imprisonment, famine, and political instability. For Luther, spiritual counsel was about establishing, nurturing, and strengthening faith. Freshly translated from the original German and Latin, the letters shed light on the fascinating relationship between his pastoral counsel and his theology. Theodore G. Tappert taught Church History at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also translated Pia Desideria by Philip Jacob Spener and The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
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About the author
Martin Luther
5,130 books819 followersMartin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk, theologian, university professor and church reformer whose ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization.
Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented.
His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.
Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.
Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a spiritual priesthood. According to Luther, salvation was a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
Luther's confrontation with Charles V at the Diet of Worms over freedom of conscience in 1521 and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being declared an outlaw of the state as he had been excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Because of the perceived unity of the medieval Church with the secular rulers of western Europe, the widespread acceptance of Luther's doctrines and popular vindication of his thinking on individual liberties were both phenomenal and unprecedented.
His translation of the Bible into the vernacular, making it more accessible to ordinary people, had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation, and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.
Much scholarly debate has concentrated on Luther's writings about the Jews. His statements that Jews' homes should be destroyed, their synagogues burned, money confiscated and liberty curtailed were revived and used in propaganda by the Nazis in 1933–45. As a result of this and his revolutionary theological views, his legacy remains controversial.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 11, 2023
I could not put this down. This is, in a sense, transcripts of Luther’s pastoral counsel. Doctrinally rich, gospel centered, and practically oriented.
November 13, 2023
“Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel” is a set of letters by Martin Luther, full of insight, counsel, exhortations, and encouragement to the suffering. He respectfully addresses and gives counsel regarding marriage, sexuality, challenges in ministry, and one’s relationship with church and government authorities. He encourages the practice of I Thessalonians 5:14, amongst others, and warns against solitude and various other temptations, believing every temptation, sickness, and struggle in life is caused by Satan. He stresses the glorious doctrine of justification by faith alone, and exposes the heresy of popery, claiming that masses and vigils for the dead are unchristian practices which “greatly anger God and are a mockery of God.”
His tender pastoral heart for those in various sufferings, his respect for the flock, his elevation of the person and work of Christ, and his trust in the authority of Scripture are great strengths of the book.
Yet Luther blames sin on Satan rather than the flesh. ; he misapplies passages of Scripture ; he confuses the church with Israel ; he seems to accept extra biblical revelation ; and encourages use of a mantra over depression . These weaken the book.
His unwavering boldness, his care and concern for the flock, the high view of God and of Christ’s work on the cross, and his trust in the authority of Scripture are all good models for Biblical Counselors.
His tender pastoral heart for those in various sufferings, his respect for the flock, his elevation of the person and work of Christ, and his trust in the authority of Scripture are great strengths of the book.
Yet Luther blames sin on Satan rather than the flesh. ; he misapplies passages of Scripture ; he confuses the church with Israel ; he seems to accept extra biblical revelation ; and encourages use of a mantra over depression . These weaken the book.
His unwavering boldness, his care and concern for the flock, the high view of God and of Christ’s work on the cross, and his trust in the authority of Scripture are all good models for Biblical Counselors.
November 17, 2025
Invaluable Counsel from the great Reformer
The wise biblical advice of Luther on a variety of subjects is manifest in this collection of letters. You will not only learn about the struggles of the early Reformation movement, but you also be personally edified by Luther's invaluable counsel as God's man for these times. Read and be thankful the heritage of the Protestant Reformation.
The wise biblical advice of Luther on a variety of subjects is manifest in this collection of letters. You will not only learn about the struggles of the early Reformation movement, but you also be personally edified by Luther's invaluable counsel as God's man for these times. Read and be thankful the heritage of the Protestant Reformation.
April 4, 2024
Read for classes. ‘Twas alright. 4/5 fo show.
June 12, 2013
Known for starting the Protestant Reformation in 1517, Martin Luther was first and foremost a pastor who deeply carried for those around him. This pastoral heart shines brightly through the countless letters Luther wrote to friends, acquaintances and governmental leaders. Luther’s letters also give readers insight into his theology as he never wrote a systematic theology book.
The book “Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel” is a collection of these pastoral letter centered around eleven spiritual topics. As Luther typical wrote his letters in Latin or German with portions in Greek or Hebrews, the letters have been translated by Theodore G. Tappert, professor of history at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into English.
The thing that stood out to me the most was Luther’s concept of the supremacy of God. In adopting a theology of salvation based upon the supremacy of God above everything else, Luther must maintain that all sickness, disease, illness or pain must either come directly from the hand of God or, at the very least, by his permission. This view of God leads Luther to tell one sick friend that he is to “patiently bear the blows of his [Jesus’] kindly hand” (pg 29) while to another, his own mother in fact, Luther writes “know that this sickness of your is his gracious, fatherly chastisement” (pg 33). These comments, while written to comfort, actually seem to me to do the opposite as they place the pressure of the illness upon the party to whom it is addressed (i.e. if the aliment is to be viewed as punishment from God, than the sick person must have done something bad and, therefore, is ultimately responsible for their current situation).
Interestingly enough this view sickness and pain takes a backseat when Luther writes to those in depression or in need of courage. For them Luther talks about the evil one who fights against the people of God and plagues the mind of believers (pg 121, 147, and others). It is almost as if Luther’s theology includes aspects of Gnosticism in that it separates the physical world from that of the spiritual or mental world. The pains and downfalls of the physical world are, in this view, punishments from God to be borne with patience and courage. Troubles of the mind and/or spirit, on the other hand, are due to the evil one’s attacks and most be fought against through prayer, reading of the Scriptures, faith and communion. This dualistic view of world doesn’t seem to fit my understanding of the Scriptures as I see both the physical and spiritual/mental world combined into one complex world created by God, given over to the evil one by Adam and Eve and redeemed by Jesus the King. To that end, I believe that the attacks of the evil one could take any form – physical as well as spiritual and/or mental – while God the Father is one who takes the evil directed towards us and turns them into good. God is, therefore, not the author of evil nor one who sits idly by allowing His children to be attacked by the evil one.
In conclusion, while I don’t agree with the theology of Martin Luther, his pastoral letters as collected by Theodore Tappert in the book “Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel” do provide a unique insight into the life of a great follower of Jesus. The letters also provide a deeper understanding of Luther’s theology, especially in how it looks in pastoral situations. To that end, this is a worthwhile book that moves one out of theoretical and into real life.
The book “Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel” is a collection of these pastoral letter centered around eleven spiritual topics. As Luther typical wrote his letters in Latin or German with portions in Greek or Hebrews, the letters have been translated by Theodore G. Tappert, professor of history at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into English.
The thing that stood out to me the most was Luther’s concept of the supremacy of God. In adopting a theology of salvation based upon the supremacy of God above everything else, Luther must maintain that all sickness, disease, illness or pain must either come directly from the hand of God or, at the very least, by his permission. This view of God leads Luther to tell one sick friend that he is to “patiently bear the blows of his [Jesus’] kindly hand” (pg 29) while to another, his own mother in fact, Luther writes “know that this sickness of your is his gracious, fatherly chastisement” (pg 33). These comments, while written to comfort, actually seem to me to do the opposite as they place the pressure of the illness upon the party to whom it is addressed (i.e. if the aliment is to be viewed as punishment from God, than the sick person must have done something bad and, therefore, is ultimately responsible for their current situation).
Interestingly enough this view sickness and pain takes a backseat when Luther writes to those in depression or in need of courage. For them Luther talks about the evil one who fights against the people of God and plagues the mind of believers (pg 121, 147, and others). It is almost as if Luther’s theology includes aspects of Gnosticism in that it separates the physical world from that of the spiritual or mental world. The pains and downfalls of the physical world are, in this view, punishments from God to be borne with patience and courage. Troubles of the mind and/or spirit, on the other hand, are due to the evil one’s attacks and most be fought against through prayer, reading of the Scriptures, faith and communion. This dualistic view of world doesn’t seem to fit my understanding of the Scriptures as I see both the physical and spiritual/mental world combined into one complex world created by God, given over to the evil one by Adam and Eve and redeemed by Jesus the King. To that end, I believe that the attacks of the evil one could take any form – physical as well as spiritual and/or mental – while God the Father is one who takes the evil directed towards us and turns them into good. God is, therefore, not the author of evil nor one who sits idly by allowing His children to be attacked by the evil one.
In conclusion, while I don’t agree with the theology of Martin Luther, his pastoral letters as collected by Theodore Tappert in the book “Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel” do provide a unique insight into the life of a great follower of Jesus. The letters also provide a deeper understanding of Luther’s theology, especially in how it looks in pastoral situations. To that end, this is a worthwhile book that moves one out of theoretical and into real life.
February 6, 2015
It was really interesting to have some insight into Luther's thoughts on various topics relating to the application of theology to specific circumstances. Some things surprised me, when comparing to current practices, and I have yet to discuss them with my pastor husband. Overall, a good read, and a good reminder that the more things change, the more things stay the same, especially where sin is involved.
February 20, 2015
I have been reading more of Luther's works this year and found this one a delight. It is an excellent model for spiritual care between pastor and people, but also between fellow believers. It shows forth his warm and passionate care for people. I had to laugh over his counsel to his son who was homesick. Loving but very straightforward. Stay at school and do your duty. Everyone would benefit from reading this.
September 28, 2012
Delightful collection of Luther's letters and table talks addressing a wide variety of issues. His caring pastoral side comes through as he comforts and gives advice, but he can also rebuke strongly. This book was a delight.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews