23 November 1531 A.D. Early Reformer, Oecolampadius, Passes

23 November 1531 A.D.  Early Reformer, Oecolampadius, Passes

Graves, Dan. “Oecolampadius `The House of Light.’”  Christianity.com.  Apr 2007.  http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1501-1600/oeceolampadius-the-house-light-11629951.html.  Accessed 12 Jun 2014.

Today most Protestant churches, at least in the western world, take for granted that those who attend a church should have some say in how it is run. That hasn't always been so. Even when the Protestant Reformation began in the sixteenth century, Luther and other reformers thought that the church ought to be directed primarily by the clergy.

The first person to suggest otherwise was a little known reformer called Oecolampadius. (His real name was Hussgen. But in those days it was popular to change one's name into a classical language. "Hussgen" sounds like the German for house-shine, so he became "house lamp" in Greek.) Oecolampadius's suggestion that laymen be allowed a say in church affairs was shot down when he proposed it to the town council of Basle, Switzerland. However, other reformers, such as John Calvin and John Knox agreed with him, and so an important element of religious freedom was brought into the church.

Oecolampadius was a top-notch student of languages. The ground-breaking linguists of the day were Reuchlin and Erasmus. Oecolampadius studied with both. He even helped Erasmus edit and publish the New Testament in Greek which had such a profound effect on the rise of the Reformation.

One way a scholar could earn a little extra money in those days was to translate Greek books for the recently invented and hungry printing press. Oecolampadius translated writings of the Greek fathers. After the Reformation got rolling, he sided with the reformers. Despite weak health, he labored hard for reform in Switzerland.

In 1516, a year before Luther posted his famous theses, Ulrich Zwingli spearheaded a reformation movement in Zurich. He was still a Roman Catholic, but insisted on teaching through the Bible. Around 1523, Oecolampadius began a friendship with Zwingli and drifted away from the more conservative and timid Erasmus.

His relationship with Zwingli is often compared to the relationship of Melanchthon with Luther. A peaceful man, Oecolampadius was tolerant of differences in the Protestant beliefs about the Lord's Supper. He also rebuked harsher reformers for their abrasive behavior. He wrote to William Farel, "Your mission is to evangelize, not to curse. Prove yourself to be an evangelist, not a tyrannical legislator. Men want to be led, not driven." Reformation should be orderly, said Oecolampadius.

He worked so hard in spite of his bad health, that when he died on this day, November 24, 1531, he was only 49. A little-known light of the Reformation was extinguished.

Bibliography:

1.      Lauchert, Friedrich. "Oecolampadius, John." The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton, 1914.

2.      "Oecolampadius, Johannes." The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Edited by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone. Oxford, 1997.

3.      Rupp, E. Gordon. Patterns of Reformation. London: Epworth Press, 1969; especially pp. 3 - 41.

4.      Various encyclopedia and internet articles.

Last updated April, 2007.

26 May 1536 AD: Wittenberg Concord on Body & Blood--Crafted But Doomed

26 May 1536 A.D.  Wittenberg Concord Crafted But Ultimately Doomed

Graves, Dan. “Wittenberg Concord on Body and Blood.” Christianity Today. Apr 2007.  http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1501-1600/wittenberg-concord-on-body-and-bread-11629960.html. Accessed Apr 24, 2014.

Luther arrived to the Wittenberg conference with dark suspicions in his mind. Just when agreement between German and Swiss Protestants seemed to be on track, Heinrich Bullinger had issued a new edition of Ulrich Zwingli's work, praising a man whose theology Luther loathed. And Martin Bucer, who was spearheading this reconciliation, had penned the preface to an edition of Oecolampadius' letters. Oecolampadius held Zwinglian views. What kind of signal were these two sending? Well he, Luther, wouldn't back down an inch from his doctrine!

Martin Bucer had worked for seven years to bring off this conference between Lutheran and Swiss theologians. Protestants were divided on how to view the sacraments. Some felt Christ's body and blood were actually present in the bread and wine. Others said the bread and wine were no more than symbols. Because of this disagreement, Protestants found it hard to fellowship with each other. Martin Bucer was convinced that agreement could be reached and said so to anyone who would listen and some who wouldn't.

At first few seemed interested. But Bucer persisted. His optimism had its effect. He had a good talk with Luther's right hand man, Philip Melanchthon, and Melanchthon became hopeful. Luther himself began to think that disagreements could be worked out.

Then the publication of the two books slapped him in his face. When the meeting got under way, he said he'd not take up any other discussion until the difficulties over the Lord's Supper (Eucharist) were resolved.

After Bucer protested his innocence against Luther's suspicions, Luther questioned other Swiss delegates. Finally, he was satisfied that there was indeed substantial agreement. Melanchthon, sure that nothing good could come from the meeting, had tried to block it from opening and showed up late. Luther asked Melanchthon to draft an agreement.

Still doubtful about the whole thing, Melanchthon did as asked. He presented the draft of a concord on this day, May 26, 1536. It stated that Christ's real body was taken with the bread--essentially the Lutheran position. Those who took it unworthily damned themselves.

That Sunday, Swiss and Lutherans joined in communion together. On Monday the delegates signed the concord with the understanding that it would not go into effect until their churches agreed and everyone left Wittenberg hopeful of ultimate agreement.

It was a hope doomed to disappointment. Bucer had given Luther a copy of the Swiss confession of faith. Luther could not accept it. And earlier, Luther had called the now-dead Zwingli a Nestorian, an insult the Swiss were unwilling to overlook. The moment for agreement passed. Polite discussion continued for some years, but in the end, Bucer himself lost interest and the effort died.

Bibliography:

1. Manschreck, Clyde Leonard. Melanchthon, the Quiet Reformer. New York, Abingdon Press, 1958.
2. "Wittenberg, Concord of." Schaff-Herzog New Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 1949 - 1950.
3. "Wittenberg, Concord of." The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, edited by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone. Oxford, 1997.
4. Various internet articles.