Tag: University of Wittenberg

Meet Frederick III, “the Wise,” Elector of Saxony

Encore Post: Frederick III grew up in the noble German household of Ernest, Elector of Saxony. His father gave him a fine classical education in the Humanist tradition. Frederick grew up to be a patron of German renaissance painters, especially Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger. He founded the University of Wittenberg and systematically built it up to become prominent. He was a pious and faithful Christian, a collector of relics, a supporter of the Augustinian observant movement in Saxony.

A skillful diplomat, he negotiated major reforms in the structure of the Holy Roman Empire, increasing the power and freedom of its electors, nobles and free cities. In 1518, he was the Imperial Vicar, second  only to Emperor Maximilian I, who was approaching death. When the Emperor died in January of 1519, he was regent of the Empire. The Pope, the electors, princes and cities of the Empire preferred that Frederick be crowned the next emperor rather than young Charles V of the Hapsburg dynasty. Charles was already king of Spain, Austria, and Hungary, ruler of territories in the Netherlands, France and Italy. Becoming Emperor would make him the most powerful monarch in Europe.

Yet Frederick did not want to be Emperor. He negotiated with Charles to have the Empire repay its debts to Saxony and a number of other concessions in exchange for his vote and support. After Charles was elected Emperor, Frederick used his considerable political skills and influence to protect Luther and advance the Reformation. When he died in 1525, he was succeeded by his brother John, who was an ardent supporter of the reformation.

©2018-2021 Robert E. Smith. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@gmail.com

Meet Phillip Melanchthon

In the last week of August 1518, a twenty-one year old  humanist, Philipp Melanchthon settled into his quarters at the University of Wittenberg as a professor of Greek. He was the great-nephew of the dean of German Humanism, Johannes Reuchlin, who saw to it that the young scholar had the finest education available.  A true renaissance man, he studied the classics widely, including philosophy, astronomy, pedagogy, theology and the Greek language.  Before coming to Witteneberg, he accepted his great uncle’s advice and translated his German surname Schwarzerd (“black earth”) into Greek, Melanchthon.  He soon published a grammar of Greek that drew praise from Erasmus.

When Martin Luther suggested to Elector Frederick the Wise that he reform the curriculum of the University, the Elector accepted the suggestion of Reuchlin to call the young Melanchthon to teach Greek there. In his first lecture, Philipp argued that, to really return to the sources of theology, scholars must learn Greek and Hebrew.  Melanchthon and Luther very quickly became the closest of friends.

The two scholars shared a boundless energy, a commitment to the classics, especially language study, a devotion the Holy Scriptures and to teaching. There the resemblance ended. Melanchthon was calm, mild-mannered, systematic and a consensus builder. He was tactful and not given to hyperbole. Luther was exactly the opposite. They complemented each other and built on each other’s strengths.

Melanchthon went on to be the author of three of the Lutheran Confessions — the Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession and the Treatise on the Power and the Primacy of the Pope. His work on pedagogy ended up reforming the teaching of children throughout Germany and remained the standard for centuries. He became known as the “teacher of Germany.” His systematic theology Loci Communes became the foundation for all systematic theologies in Lutheran theology — in spite of a reputation for compromising with the Roman Catholics and Reformed traditions he earned after the death of Luther.

We will have much more to say about this remarkable man as time goes on. For now, we will be content to note that Martin Luther has now gained an important co-worker, sounding board and ally. He is going to need his “dear Philipp” soon enough.

©2018 Robert E. Smith. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@gmail.com