Reformation Seminary
Luther, was born in 1483 and died in 1546. He favored the Small Catechism and the Galatians commentaries (shorter and longer).
1. He was well trained could have become a leading figure.
2. The storm threatened his life (sword cut) and he pleaded for mercy, became an Augustine monk and priest.
3. He was urged to earn a doctorate in Biblical studies, which slowly dissolved his Medieval training and Roman Catholic rituals.
4. He kept what was Biblical and discarded papal dogma over time.
5. The printing press started its own revolution, in all languages. Profitable - for others.
6. He argued from the Bible and emphasized the sermon as central to Christian growth.
Melanchthon was born in 1497 and died in 1560. He was the author/editor of the Augsburg Confession and the Apology. He also wrote the Treatise on the Pope.
1. Melanchthon was considered the greatest language scholar after Erasmus.
2. His character was just as irenic as Luther's was polemical.
3. The two worked closely together, which is clear with Melanchthon's work in the Book of Concord.
Chemnitz was born in 1522 and died in 1586. He was the senior editor of the Book of Concord, 1580.
1. He studied under Luther and Melanchthon.
2. Oddly, he cast horoscopes for a wealthy man, which gave him access to all the ancient Christian authors, invaluable for his battles with Rome and the sects.
3. After Melanchthon's death, Chemnitz began to pull the Lutherans (Evangelicals) together.
4. Chemnitz was widely ignored and probably still is, but his books are available in English.
5. He is most famous for the Book of Concord and the Examination of the Council of Trent.
