Melanchthon, Philip

(1497–1560)

   Theologian.

   Menlanchthon was born Philip Schwarzerd in Bretten, Germany. His name was changed by his great-uncle because of his aptitude for academic learning. He was educated at the Universities of Heidelberg and Tübingen and he was appointed Professor of Greek at Wittenberg in 1518. He became a firm supporter of the Reformation cause and he took part in the Leipzig disputations. After the Diet of Worms Melanchthon emerged as the leader of the movement and he later participated in the 1529 Colloquy of Marburg and the 1530 Diet of Augsburg. Among his works were Loci Communes (the first systematic exposition of luther’s theology), the Augsburg Confession, the Wittenberg Concord of 1536 and various biblical commentaries. He is remembered as perhaps the most learned of the early Reformers and as one who was essentially conciliatory in his views. Although his work has been the subject of scholarly controversy, his writings were highly in- fluential on the development of Protestantism.

   A. McGrath, Reformation Thought: An Introduction (1988);

   M. Rogness, Melanchthon: Reformer without Honor (1969).