History

A Sick Man’s Healthy Accomplishments

A look at five representative years of Luther’s life

Health

Activity

1527

Sickly for eight months; dizzy spell during sermon in April. Threatening attacks of Anfechtungen (spiritual darkness, doubt, depression) in July, repeated in September and December. Plague epidemic in Wittenburg.

Preaches 60 sermons; lectures; writes 100 letters and 15 tracts; works on Old Testament; takes brief trips. Daughter Elizabeth born.

1528

Rather healthy

Preaches 190 sermons; lectures; writes 150 old letters and 20 tracts; works on Old Testament; travels to Torgau and Altenburg. Elizabeth dies.

1529

Sick for two months with colds

Preaches 120 sermons; lectures; writes 120 letters, 20 tracts, catechisms, and hymns; travels to Marburg for colloquy with Zwingli. Daughter Magdalena born.

1530

Sick for ten months with stomach disorders, colds, sore on thigh, ringing in ears. Dizzy spell in pulpit in December

Preaches 60 sermons; lectures; writes 170 letters and 30 tracts; works on Old Testament from April to October during Diet of Ausburg

1531

Sick for six months (suffers from exhaustion in March/April; sickly and weak later).

Preaches 180 sermons; lectures; writes 100 letters and 15 tracts; works on Old Testament; takes brief trips. Mother dies.

Copyright © 1993 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine.Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Our Latest

The Bulletin

NYC Mayoral Race, Trump Softens to Ukraine, and Can Horror Films Edify?

Mamdani leads NYC mayoral race, Trump-Putin relationship cools, and why horror movies might help you cope in a horrible world.

The Bigfoot and UFOs Podcast Introducing Listeners to Christ

“We want to make a space where people can scratch an itch about the weird stuff they’ve encountered, but our heart for this is for people to encounter God.”

News

What Would a Liberal Democracy in Lebanon Look Like?

An interfaith group created a Youth Mock Parliament to imagine a nonsectarian government.

Analysis

‘Drug Boat’ Strikes Prompt Questions about Human Dignity, Executive Power

When the president exercises lethal force without congressional authority, we all lose.

News

Brazilian Evangelicals See God at Work Among the Working Class

Small Pentecostal churches across poor peripheral neighborhoods fuel Protestant growth nationwide.

Wire Story

Top ACNA Leader Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

Following a string of scandals, the accusations against Archbishop Steve Wood come amid plans for the denomination to overhaul its abuse response.

The Russell Moore Show

 Listener Question: Should Communion Be Open to All Believers?

Russell takes a listener’s question about church membership and the Communion table.

Anti-Fragile Faith in Chaotic Times

Slow Theology highlights how a long obedience in the same direction grows.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube