Martin Brecht Libri

Brecht here describes the years in which the distinctive aspects of the Reformation took shape. During this time four difficult conflicts—the Peasants' War, the interchange between Luther and Erasmus, debates on the Lord's Supper, and the rise of Anabaptist groups—strengthened the need to fashion new orders for governing the church and the need to develop new patterns for worship and the instruction of youth. Luther the theologian was occupied with problems of politics, economy, law, and education. In addition, his own life was altered by his marriage.

The biography is characterized by meticulous scholarship and a fair assessment of its subject, positioning it as the authoritative resource in its field. Its balanced approach and thorough research contribute to its significance, making it an essential read for those interested in a comprehensive understanding of the individual being portrayed.

Der Theologe und Kirchengeschichtswissenschaftler Prof. Dr. Martin Brecht erinnert an den 1490 in Crailsheim geborenen, späteren Reformator Adam Weiß, der 1512 eine Professur an der theologischen Fakultät der Universität Mainz innehatte. 1522 kam er als Pfarrer an die Johanneskirche in Crailsheim und gehörte zu den ersten, welche in Süddeutschland die Reformation im Sinne Luthers durchsetzten.

Nikolaus Ludwig Reichsgraf von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf (1700–1760) ist als Begründer der Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine eine der zentralen Figuren des europäischen Pietismus. Im Zentrum der internationalen Beiträge dieses Bandes stehen aktuelle Forschungen zur kirchen-, theologie- und literaturgeschichtlichen Einordnung Zinzendorfs sowie Untersuchungen zu wichtigen Vorgängen aus seinem Leben und Wirken. Daneben wird der Blick auf die wesentlichen Außenbeziehungen Zinzendorfs zu den Böhmen und Schwenckfeldern, zu den Engländern und den lutherischen Kritikern bis hin zu Goethe und Karl Barth gerichtet. Gemeinsam ist allen Beiträgen die Frage nach der Wirkungsgeschichte und der in die Gegenwart reichenden Aktualität Zinzendorfs.

Johann Valentin Andreae (1586–1654) caused quite a stir in his younger years as a reformer and writer. Until now, however, his late work has been little known. Research into Andreae‹s extensive literary legacy (preserved by the Herzog-August Bibliothek in Wolfenbüttel) has contributed to clarifying Andreae‹s manifold personas: he was an intense and versatile conversation partner to Duke August zu Braunschweig-Lüneburg; he was also a perceptive observer of the Thirty Year War, a connoisseur and collector of literature, fine arts and music as well as a book lover; but most importantly, Andreae was the leading figure of Lutheranism in southern Germany as well as a follower of Pietism as it was initiated by Johann Arndt. An analysis of this material adds a new dimension to the cultural, intellectual and Church history of the period.