The present 22nd volume of our revised edition of Luther's works according to J. G. Walch has been edited by Professor Hoppe, who has been appointed since last fall to edit this edition of our Luther edition. He has made special studies on Luther's table talks for a number of years and has published the results in this volume. What distinguishes this latest edition of Luther's Table Talks from all the earlier ones, he himself has stated in the introduction. We have no doubt that with this thorough and careful work he will earn the gratitude not only of all Luther readers, but also of Luther scholars.
Luther's Table Talks have never had the same prestige in the Lutheran Church as
Luther's other writings, precisely because they were not written by him, but by his table companions. However, the fact that it cannot be determined exactly how Luther spoke in detail does not negate the value of these records. After all, Luther's Hauspostille is the most widespread of his books, although even there Luther's words are conveyed to us through the pen of his household friends. Thus, Luther's Table Talks, as they are presented here, well examined and reviewed, are warmly recommended to the Lutheran Christian people! Whoever reads and contemplates them carefully will find in them a short, pithy summary of Luther's teachings and will be encouraged in the recognition of the salutary truth.
St. Louis, John 1887.
G. St.