Leyden Cobbler

Recently Lutheran bloggers have been posting anecdotes about shoes and shoe makers which would illustrate a truth or two about Lutheran theology.  In that spirit, I offer this story about the Leyden Cobbler.

A cobbler of Leyden was in the habit of attending the public disputations of the university, and when asked whether he understood Latin, replies, "No, but I know who is wrong in the argument, by seeing who gets angry first."


The  source of  this anecdote is the 19th century American theologian, Samuel Schmucker.   Schmucker is an interesting character in the history of American Lutheranism.  [Schmucker. in my opionion, has been very much maligned by the TLs.]   Schmucker adds this explanation to his storySamuel :  "Christian truth has often been defended in a very unChristian way, and doubtless more depends on the natural temper and the manners of the disputants, as well as the extent to which divine grace enables them to subdue their passions."

Source:  Samuel S. Schmucker    American Lutheranism Vindicated, Baltimore:  T. Newton Kurtz, 1856.  [this book is available from iTunes book store]