Dear Dr. Jackson: With your GEMS volume in mind, I wanted to commend to your notice a 2009 translation of Luther's TABLE TALK which is larger than LW 54:
OFF THE RECORD WITH MARTIN LUTHER, with a Forward by Dr. Paul Maier.
The volume is arranged in 8 topical sections and lists the WA Tr citation for each quotation. I got a used (appears to be brand new) copy from Amazon for under $10 including shipping.
I thought of you when I read the following sentence from #912 on page 213 in the section
"Advice to Pastors:"
912. The devil’s greatest skill is to take from us and falsify the Articles of Justification, how man is to be redeemed and saved by God. He is good at reproaching and tormenting us with these thoughts: “Okay, it’s true, you preach the Gospel, but who called you to do that? And now you are preaching what has not been taught for several hundred years. What if that is not what God wants, and you are responsible for condemning so many souls?”
He slanders everything good you have ever done, and can turn your very best work into sin and disgrace. And that is why he has the name and is called diabolical and a blasphemer; because he knows his art like a master, and not only is he great at doing what is evil and sinful, but he can also destroy and corrupt all the good that is done. That is why one must truly be certain of his position, faith and what he teaches, and not lean toward this or that person, no matter how holy and educated he may seem, nor should one trust his own thoughts, no matter how brilliantly they seem to shine and glisten. No, never! Because you will be lost. The devil can change himself into a beautiful white angel working for God, and still be a right black devil. A man of human flesh would never recognize him.
Luther, Martin. Off the Record with Martin Luther (p. 180). Hansa-Hewlett Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
The whole of #912 sounds like a post in Ichabod blog! --Warren
GJ - I ordered the book used, and also bought the Kindle for quoting here.
