This book explores the hitherto neglected relationship between the English Reformation and the Lutheran scholar Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560). It looks at how Henry, following his break with Rome, flirted with Lutheranism as a doctrine to replace Catholicism, before the eventual collapse of the policy and its replacement with a more moderate reform programme under Cranmer. It then goes on to investigate how Melanchthon, as the leading proponent of Lutheranism influenced successive royal governments, both positively and negatively, as they struggled to impose their own brand of doctrinal conformity on the English church. By refracting the well known narrative of the English Reformation through the lens of Melanchthon, new light is shed on many events that have puzzled historians. The study provides fascinating new perspectives on such questions as why Henry suddenly abandoned his Lutheran policy, why Cromwell fell from power in 1540 and even insights into Elizabeth's personal beliefs. By tying events in England into the context of the wider European Reformation, through the work of Philip Melanchthon, this book offers fresh insights into the nature and development of early evangelical Protestantism.

This book explores the hitherto neglected relationship between the English Reformation and the Lutheran scholar Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560). It looks at how Henry, following his break with Rome, flirted with Lutheranism as a doctrine to replace Catholicism, before the eventual collapse of the policy and its replacement with a more moderate reform programme under Cranmer. It then goes on to investigate how Melanchthon, as the leading proponent of Lutheranism influenced successive royal governments, both positively and negatively, as they struggled to impose their own brand of doctrinal conformity on the English church. By refracting the well known narrative of the English Reformation through the lens of Melanchthon, new light is shed on many events that have puzzled historians. The study provides fascinating new perspectives on such questions as why Henry suddenly abandoned his Lutheran policy, why Cromwell fell from power in 1540 and even insights into Elizabeth's personal beliefs. By tying events in England into the context of the wider European Reformation, through the work of Philip Melanchthon, this book offers fresh insights into the nature and development of early evangelical Protestantism.

Long overshadowed by Luther and Calvin, Philipp Melanchthon (1497–1560) is nevertheless one of the most important figures in the Protestant Reformation. Reformer, humanist, theologian, philosopher, ecumenist, and teacher of pastors—Melanchthon had a profound effect on the sweep of Western church history. This book gives the most detailed English-language biographical treatment of Melanchthon to date, moving from his historical context and family of origin, through his childhood, education, and early career at Wittenberg during the dramatic events at the dawn of the Reformation (1497–1524).

The studies in this volume illuminate the thought and life of Philip Melanchthon, one of the most neglected major figures in Reformation history and theology. Melanchthon was one of the most widely published and respected thinkers in his own day, who authored some of the sixteenth-century's most important books on Latin and Greek grammar, rhetoric, dialectics, and history, to say nothing of his theological output, which included the first overview of Protestant theology, the first Protestant commentaries on Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and John. He was also the chief drafter of the Augsburg Confession and wrote its defense, the Apology. These essays, written over the past twenty years, commemorate the 450th anniversary of Melanchthon's death in 2010. The articles provide a wide-ranging picture of Melanchthon's thought and life with topics including his view of free will, approaches to biblical interpretation, his perspective on the church fathers and world history, and comparisons to other important figures of the age, including Calvin, Luther and Erasmus.

Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) and the Commentary celebrates the 500th anniversary of Philip Melanchthon's birth by highlighting one of his most important contributions to the intellectual world of Renaissance and Reformation: commentary on ancient texts. This book brings together essays not only by recognized connoisseurs of Melanchthon's thought but also by experts on other figures and movements within the Renaissance and Reformation, in order to provide a more accurate measure of the man and his distinction from and influence on other thinkers of his day. It also investigates both Melanchthon's wrestling with biblical texts and his equally significant exposition of other prominent ancient authors.

Philip Melanchthon was one of the most creative and effective thinkers of the Reformation, commonly ranked second only to Luther and Calvin by most historians. His contribution, however, was lost sight of in the controversy which plagued Lutheranism after Luther's death. He has often been treated as a replica of Luther, or as a mouthpiece for him; he was neither. In this landmark biography, Manschreck has explored the reformer's true stature and has demonstrated the enduring qualities of his contribution. "To understand Melanchthon and to access his significance," wrote Manschreck, "one must recognize the two historical movements which combined in him and which have never been reconciled in Protestantism -- the Renaissance and the Reformation....He cannot be explained in terms of either, for he transcends both. This is his greatness. This is his tragedy." As Melanchthon was the official representative of Protestantism at almost every colloquy in Germany from 1529 to 1560, influencing the very foundations of theology for all major Protestant denominations, we are indebted to Manschreck's effort to restore this reformer to his proper place in the historical record.