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| Our leaders in Scriptural studies, the key Reformation teachers, are: Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz. |
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| Clyde Manshreck, one of Roland Bainton's students at Yale, wrote an excellent book, Melanchthon, The Quiet Reformer. I first became interested in Melanchthon at Augustana (Augsburg Confession) College. 1. Melanchthon and Luther lived to be 63 years old. Melanchthon (1497-1560). Luther (1483-1546). 2. They had opposite personalities and both were language geniuses. They greatly admired each other and also had their conflicts. Philip gave the sermon at Luther's funeral. 3. The Walther Four - LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - like to brag about being Confessionals, and Orthodox. However, they despise the Augsburg Confession, which is the standard across the world. Their so-called Orthodoxy is largely from Pietism and Calvinism. 4. One clear statement of doctrinal agreement on Justification is found in the graphic above. 5. Melanchthon was denied a priceless library from his great-uncle John Reuchlin when he sided with the Reformation. Reuchlin, like Erasmus, supported the Reformation a bit but returned to the Roman Catholics. 6. Melanchthon had far more students than Luther because of their age difference. Philip was greatly admired across Europe and could have accepted an appointment as the greatest scholar in any kingdom. 7. Philip's contributions to the Book of Concord, 1580, were:
Martin Chemnitz edited the Book of Concord, widely admired, seldom studied or taught. He learned from Luther and Melanchthon and enjoyed the combination of polemics (Luther), humor (Luther and Melanchthon), and an enormous knowledge of theological literature. |
