Martin Luther and Alchemy

[Mehr Licht]

I was reading the "Table Talk" of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther and came across this statement on Alchemy:

"The science of alchymy I like very well, and indeed, 'tis the
philosophy of the ancients. I like it not only for the profits it brings
in melting metals, in decocting, preparing, extracting and distilling
herbs, roots; I like it also for the sake of the allegory and secret
signification, which is exceedingly fine, touching the resurrection
of the dead at the last day."

-Martin Luther

Table talk - Martin Luther - Google Books

Seems he was even interested in the allegorical and secret significance and not just the "scientific" element which I thought was interesting.

 

[Mehr Licht]

I've noticed a few references to his friend Melanchthon having been a practicing alchemist. Anyone else heard of this before?

 

[Me Myself]

First time I´ve heard MLK and alchemy in the same subject I believe.

 

[Mehr Licht]

Not Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther the German Protestant reformer from the 16th century. The former did seem pretty good at transmuting hate into love though.


Martin Luther - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Me Myself]

AH! hehe how dumb of me

Just used to hearing his name in spanish "Martin Lutero"

 

[Mehr Licht]

It's a common mistake. I remember when I was a kid I started going to a Lutheran Church and the Pastor asked my dad if he new anything about Martin Luther and he said that MLK was a good man who was involved in the civil rights struggle.