A fundamental concept of information (and statistics) is that of what is known by who at a certain point in time.

Definition: Information is data that is recognized from a certain point of view (e.g., by an intelligent entity).
When Frederick III, Elector of Saxony, wanted to hide Martin Luther, he had him hid by others in one of his castles (without telling him where) so that he could say that he truthfully say that he did not know where he was. He could find out where Martin Luther was, but he did not actually know where Martin Luther was.

Was Martin Luther, as a "treasure", "found" and then "hid" in a "field" (the world)? In the historical interpretation, the parable of the treasure in a field fits with the time of the Reformation.

More: Algorithmic Information Theory

More: Matthew 13:44 KP5 Parable of the treasure in a field

Martin Luther used the German phrase "Gott mit uns" ≈ "God with us" in Matthew 1:23 in his famous German Bible, NT (New Testament) (from Greek) in 1522, OT (Old Testament) (from Hebrew) in 1534.

The German Army used this phrase for many years. The Third Reich (1933 to 1945) used it before and during World War II.

The Russian Army (and others) used a similar phrase (in their language) at various times.

More: Matthew 1:23 Gott mit uns

With the date change from December 5 to December 24 (Christmas Eve), many Christian leaders of Europe, especially Martin Luther, did not want Saint Nicholas overshadowing Jesus at Christmas. In Germany parents were to use terms like "Christkindl".

The German word "das Kind" ≈ "the child". A "kindergarten" is a "garden for children". The lowercase "L" at the end of "Christkindl" is a form of diminutive.

Going through Dutch, "Kriskind" becomes "Kris Kringle".

[grammatical gender]

More: Diminutives

More: The doctrine of Santa Claus

Martin Luther is credited with the first use of the term "strawman" (in German) for such a line of reasoning. In general terms, he pointed out that the Catholic Church had set up a strawman argument against him and then knocked it down and claimed it had discredited him.

(I could not find a definitive reference for this.)

More: Strawman fallacy

The German Martin Luther is often attributed with the words to the song "Away in the manger". He never wrote the song.

Martin Luther wrote many songs, one of which is "Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her", which in English is "From highest heaven, I come here".

More: Song: Away in the manger

During the Reformation, Martin Luther authored many songs and carols and promoted their use in religious settings.

John Wesley and Martin Luther on bar melodies for hymns: "the devil should never have all the good tunes".
Discuss: Is some music "of the devil"? Explain.

More: Song: First Noel

More: Christmas caroling and hymns

As a monk and professor of Theology at his Abby, Martin Luther visited Rome in 1510 when Michelangelo was busy creating magnificent works of art to decorate the palaces and cathedrals of Rome.
Luther's idealistic and Bible-based expectations of what he expected to see conflicted with the corruption and extravagance he saw in Rome.

More: Moses with horns

Martin Luther (German priest, theologian, author and hymn-writer) called the Epistle of James a "straw" epistle because it had "keine evangelische Art" ≈ "no evangelical character". To avoid advocating that epistles such as "James" be removed from the canon, Luther created a two tiers of epistles. James was in the lower tier. The disputed books of Luther included the following: Hebrews, James, Jude, Revelation.

The book of James is filled with logical errors, uses word meanings that did not develop until later, uses words attributed to Plutarch some 50 or more years later, uses scientific terms in inappropriate ways as if to impress others with his knowledge, and, most importantly, advocates positions that are the opposite of the teachings of Christ. Why would the church approve such a letter?

The point James makes about faith and works is an example of the converse error. Yet, many will ignore this obvious error and learn the "talking points" to try to reconcile what Paul says (which follows from what Jesus says) and what James says (which is a good example of the converse error).

Details are left as a future topic.

More: James and Peter and John

More: Converse fallacy: If A then B does not mean If B then A

The English word "diet" comes, through French, from the Latin word "diaeta" ≈ "diet, regimen" (Medieval "assembly") and which comes from the ancient Greek word "δίαιτα" ≈ "way of living, residence, health regimen" and related meanings.


What was the main food at the Diet of Worms in 1521? When Luther would not recant, the Pope declared Luther a heretic in the Edict of Worms. This was the famous "here I stand" declaration by Luther.

More: Matthew 7:13-14 Strait talk about narrow and wide gates