Monday, November 14, 2011

Luther on his drinking problem

“If our Lord God can pardon me for having crucified and martyred him for about twenty years [by saying mass], he can also approve of my occasionally taking a drink in his honor. God grant it, no matter how the world may wish to interpret it!” -- Martin Luther

If there's one thing that I admired Luther for, is his frankness. He liked to drink, some even say that he had a "sip" before he preached so he could give a stronger sermon!!! His late night drinking with his fellow students was legendary, since they were also talking theology. And hey, his wife run a brewery from their house, so they were used to the smell of beer.

So there you go, don't idolise the Reformers, not even Luther. But from my end, I admire him even more, since he didn't hide his weaknesses, not even when he knew that many would disapprove. He just proves that all of us are sinners, fighting against our fallen desires.

Luis Alberto Jovel

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