Martin Luther’s 1527 Advice about How to Act During a Plague Goes Viral on Twitter

We live in interesting times, but it’s sometimes good to remember that people throughout history have battled their own fears amidst cultural uncertainty.  And, we might even be able to learn from them.

The 16th-century theologian Martin Luther — who lived during the bubonic plague – wrote a letter called, “Whether One May Flee From a Deadly Plague.” In typical 2020 fashion, an excerpt went viral recently on Twitter.

Here’s his advice, in case it is helpful to you during these uncertain times:

You ought to think this way: “Very well, by God’s decree, the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore, I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely.”

Hopefully, America will not get to the level of the bubonic plague.  However, his words about the sovereignty of God are a helpful reminder no matter what comes our way.

 Image Credit: Wikimedia