To George Held,Conselor to prince Joachim of Anhalt, whose clergy condemned sacred plays - Martin Luther

TO GEORGE HELD, COUNSELOR TO PRINCE JOACHIM OF ANHALT, WHOSE CLERGY CONDEMNED SACRED PLAYS

April 5, 1543.

Grace and peace! Our Joachim has asked my opinion as to sacred plays founded upon Holy Scripture, which some of our clergy disapprove of. In few words I shall tell you what I think. All are commanded to make known the Word of God in some way or other, not only by words but by pictures — carved work, writings, psalms, hymns, and musical instruments; as the Psalm says: “Praise the Lord with harp,” etc.; and Moses says: “Thou shall bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes: and write them upon the posts of thy house.” Moses wishes God’s Word to be ever before men’s eyes, and this cannot be more easily attained than by means of such plays, which are at the same time serious and modest and free from the jugglery which tainted them in Papal

times. Such plays have often more influence over the people than public preaching. In South Germany, where Evangelical preaching is forbidden, many have been led to receive the gospel through such representations of the law and gospel. When given with a desire to further the progress of truth, and represented in a serious and modest manner, they are by no means to be condemned.

May you prosper with your excellent Princes, whom I hope God will long spare to you for the sake of

His Church. MARTIN LUTHER .