Philipp Melanchthon

Philipp Melanchthon (February 16, 1497 – April 19, 1560), born Philipp Schwartzerdt, is a German reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellectual leader of the Lutheran Reformation, and an influential designer of educational systems.

He stands next to Luther and Calvin as a reformer, theologian, and molder of Protestantism.

As much as Luther, he is the primary founder of Lutheranism.

They both denounce what they see as the exaggerated cult of the saints, justification by works, and the coercion of the conscience in the sacrament of penance that nevertheless cannot offer certainty of salvation.

Melanchthon makes the distinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelical insight.

By the "law" he means the Papacy and rigid rituals controlled by priests; the "gospel" means an individual directly confronting Christ through Bible reading, hymns and prayer.

No related events match the current filters.