Abstract

Philipp Melanchthon was one of the most influential theologians of the Reformation of the 16th century. He was responsible for transforming the secondary and tertiary educational systems in Germany. He was responsible for a new theological curriculum. He wrote the first Protestant ‘systematic theology’ and was the author of the Confessio Augustana. He is called the ‘teacher of Germany and Europe’. In spite of all the praises, most South Africans know very little about this important theologian. In this year of jubilee, it is imperative that a short introduction to his life and work be published – in the hope that he would receive more attention in future from South African scholars.

Highlights

  • In spite of all the praises, most South Africans know very little about this important theologian

  • In this year of jubilee, it is imperative that a short introduction to his life and work be published – in the hope that he would receive more attention in future from South African scholars

  • As the man next to Martin Luther, received very little attention in South African journals linked to the Reformed tradition in the past

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Summary

Original Research

Affiliation: 1Department Church History and Church Polity, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Natie van Wyk is participating in the research project, ‘History of the Netherdutch Reformed Church/Geskiedenis van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk’, directed by Dr Wim Dreyer, Department of Church History and Church Polity, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria. Philipp Melanchthon was one of the most influential theologians of the Reformation of the 16th century He was responsible for transforming the secondary and tertiary educational systems in Germany. He was responsible for a new theological curriculum. He wrote the first Protestant ‘systematic theology’ and was the author of the Confessio Augustana. In this year of jubilee, it is imperative that a short introduction to his life and work be published – in the hope that he would receive more attention in future from South African scholars

Introductory remarks
Open Access
His contributions to the Reformation
His main publication
Theology is not philosophy
Knowing Christ is to know his benefits
Distinction between law and gospel
Melanchthon on Christian prayer
Full Text
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