in Brandenburg to Paul and Euphemia Chemnitz, was the last of three children.
His older siblings' names were Matthew and Ursula. His father was a successful merchant who died when Martin was eleven:
[ thereafter, the family suffered from financial difficulties.
]
When he was old enough, Martin matriculated in Magdeburg. Upon completion of the course work, he became a weaving's apprentice. He helped his family with its clothing business for the next few years. When he was 20, he resumed his education at the University of Frankfurt (Oder). He remained in school until his finances were exhausted; he then took a teaching job in the town of Wriezen, supplementing his income by collecting the local sales tax on fish. His time at Frankfurt gave him the basic tools to continue his education on his own, researching areas in which he was interested and applying his naturally inquisitive mind to problems that others had worried over in the past.
In 1545 Chemnitz accompanied his cousin Georg Sabinus to school at the University of Wittenberg in Wittenberg[ (1545–1547), where he studied under Martin Luther (1483-1546) and Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560). From Melanchthon he learned to shape his theological education, beginning with the difference between "law" and "gospel". In Chemnitz's words, though he heard Luther lecture often, he "did not pay Luther the attention he should have." (cf. Autobiography) Because of Luther's death and political events, Chemnitz transferred to the University of Königsberg (1547–1548). Chemnitz graduated in the first class with a Master of Arts degree (1548). However, a plague soon infested the Baltic Sea Hanseatic League German port town of Königsberg in East Prussia, (today renamed Kaliningrad since occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945 at the end of World War II, now annexed into the Russian Federation) so Chemnitz left quickly for Zalewo. When he judged it safe, Chemnitz returned to Königsberg in 1550, now employed by Albert, Duke of Prussia, as the court librarian for the Konigsberg State and University Library. In return for caring for the library and teaching a few courses as a tutor, he had unrestricted access to what was then considered one of the finest libraries in Europe (and unfortunately later damaged and lost with its contents and elaborate building 400 years later during the battles swirling around the city on the Eastern Front of the Second World War in 1944–1945).
]
For the first time Chemnitz applied himself completely to Theology study. During these years his interest shifted from astrology, which he had studied in Magdeburg, to theology. He began his own course of study by carefully working through the Bible in the original languages of Hebrew language and Ancient Greek with the goal of answering questions that had previously puzzled him. When he felt ready to move on, he turned his attention to the early theologians of the Church, whose writings he read slowly and carefully. Then he turned to current theological concerns, again reading slowly while painstakingly making copious notes. This early method of Lutheran scholastic self-study had been suggested by Melanchthon in his Writings (cf. Autobiography).
His vocation as reformer, churchman, and theologian
Chemnitz moved back to Wittenberg in 1553[ as a guest of Melanchthon. In January 1554 he joined the Wittenberg University faculty. He lectured on Melanchthon's Loci Communes, from which lectures he compiled his own Loci Theologici, a system of theology. He was ordination to the ministry on 26 November 1554 by Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558), and became co-adjutor of Joachim Mörlin (1514-1571), who was ecclesiastical superintendent for the Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. When Mörlin resigned in 1567, Chemnitz became his successor; he held the post for the rest of his life.
]
Through his leadership, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was brought firmly into Evangelical Lutheranism. There he helped his prince, Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, establish the University of Helmstedt (1575–76). With Jakob Andreae, David Chytraeus, Nicholas Selnecker, Andrew Musculus and others, Chemnitz took part in a centrist movement that brought agreement among German Lutherans in the writing and publication of the Formula of Concord (1577), of which Chemnitz was one of the primary authors. He was instrumental in the publication of the definitive presented in 1580, containing a series of important earlier confessional theological documents, treatises, commentaries, catechisms as the compilation of the doctrinal standard of the Lutheran Church. Other major works are Examen Concilii Tridentini[ ( Examination of the Council of Trent) and De Duabis Naturis in Christo ( On the Two Natures in Christ). These works demonstrate Martin Chemnitz's abilities as a biblical, doctrinal and historical theologian in the orthodox Lutheran tradition. He died in Braunschweig.
]
Works
Autobiography
-
Martin Chemnitii einhändige Lebens-Beschreibung. Nebst denen ihm zu Braunschweig gesetzen Epitaphiis Martin. 1719. Translated into English as An Autobiography of Martin Chemnitz. A.L. Graebner, trans. Theological Quarterly, vol. 3, no. 4 (1899).
Church government and oversight
-
Brevis et Simplex Forma Examinis de Praecipuis Doctrinae Caelestis Capitibus Brief. 1571.
[The title page continues the title: "Primum germanice per reverendum virum, D. Martinum Kemnitium, S. Theologiae Doctorem, in usum Pastorum minus exercitatorum conscripta: Nunc vero voluntate Authoris & loco Confessionis Ministerii Ecclesiae Brunsuicensis latine conversa per Ionnem Zangerum Oenipontanum."]
-
Kirchen-Ordnung, wie es mit Lehr und Ceremonien des Fürstenthums-Braunschweig Church. 1569.
-
Ministry, Word, and Sacraments: An Enchiridion. Luther Poellot, trans. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1981. (Originally published in 1593 German and 1603 Latin as Enchiridion D. Martini Chemnitii.)
-
Ein Schone vnnd richtige Form zu beichten A. 1603.
Confessions of faith and documents relating to the Formula of Concord
-
Acta formulae concordiae in Bergensi coenobio prope Magdeburgum Records. 1707 with Nicholas Selnecker. (The deliberations of the writers of the Formula of Concord to finalize that document).
-
Apologia, oder Verantwortung deẞ Christlichen ConcordienBuchs, which appeared in Latin translation as Apologia libri Christianae concordiae literally:. with Timothy Kirchner and Nicolaus Selneccer, 1583. (known as The Apology of the Formula of Concord)
-
Christliches Bedenken auf Doct. Majors Repetitio und endliche Erklärung belangend den Streit Christian. 1568.
-
Confessio ministeri Saxoni Konfession und Erklärung Confession. 1571. (Text in German).
-
Corpus doctrinae Prutenicum The. 1568. (An Anthology of Lutheran Statements of Faith for the German domain of Prussia)
-
Corpus doctrinae Julium The. 1576. (An Anthology of Lutheran Statements of Faith for Duke Julius's Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel).
-
Formulae Recte Sentiendi de Praecipuis Horum Temporum Controversiis Forms. 1576 (Found in the Corpus Doctrinae Wilhelminum and the Corpus Doctrinae Iulium).
-
Judicium de Controversiis qvibusdam circa qvosdam A.C. articulos. 1594. Also known as: De Controversiis quibusdam, quae superiori tempore circa quosdam Augustanae Confessionis articulos motae agitatae sunt, Iudicium d. Martini Chemnitii, Polycarp Leyser, ed. Wittenberg, 1594 Judgment.
[English translation in Robert Kolb et al., ]Sources and Contexts of The Book of Concord'', (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001), 197-219.
Solida ac vera Confessionis Augustanae historie ... History with Timothy Kirchner and Nicholas Selnecker, 1585.
Wiederholte Christi gemeine Confession der Sächischen Kirchen Reiterated.
Homiletical and devotional writings
-
Andächtige Gebete wider die Teuffel in den armen besessen Leuten Devout. 1596.
-
Eine andere Predigt von auffrichtung Christlicher Schulen Another. 1573.
-
Consilium ... de lectione patrum Counsel. 1616.
-
Echt evangelische aulegung de Sonn- und Festtags-evangelien des kirchenjahrs Genuinely. 1872–1878.
-
Harmoniae Evangelicae Harmony. 1593.
-
Historia der Passion Christi History. 1590.
-
Leich-Pred., Herrn Victor Beseken, gewessen Bürgemeisters in Bremen Funeral 1612.
-
Leich-Predigt, in funere Christoph von Blanckenburg, anno 1573 gethan Funeral. 1578.
-
Oratio de Lectione Patrum, habita Oration. 1554.
-
Oratio habita in Introductione Universitatis Juliae {An}. 1576
-
Oratio panegyrica, das ist, Trost- und Ehren-Predigt bey des weyland ... M. Chemnitii ... Leichbestätigung Panegyrical. 1627.
-
Postilla: oder Auslegung der Euangelien welche auff die Sontage, auch die fürnembste Fest und Apostel Tage in der Gemeine Gottes abgelesen und erkläret werden Postils:. 1593.
-
Postille, oder Erklärung der ordentlichen Sonn- und Fest-Tags Evangelien Postil,. 1594.
-
Predigt am Sonntag Septuagesima Sermon. 1866.
-
Eine Predigt bey der Einführung der Julius-Universität zu Helmstedt A. German 1576.
-
Eine Predigt über das Evangelion Matthew 22 A. 1573.
-
Ein Predigt ... über John 3:1-15 (über Luke 18:9-14) A. 1856–1886.
Letters
-
Epistola de coena Domini in tertiam Apologiam Bezae Letter.
-
Epistolae Martini Chemnitii ad Matthiam Ritterum Letters.
Preface to a work by Heinrich Bünting
-
Prefatio Doctoris M. Chemnitij to Heinrich Bünting's Itineranium et Chronicon ecclesiasticum totius Sacrae Scriptureae Preface. 1581.
Reports and task force studies (Gutachten)
-
Bedencken: An justum sit, fures punire suspendie Reflection:.
-
Bedencken der Theologen zu Braunschwiegk/von dem newen Wittenbergischen Catchismo gestallet/der gantzen Christenheit zur Warnung ausgengen Reflection. 1571. (This document helped Elector August of Saxony uncover a plot to undermine the Lutheran faith of his duchy on the part of Crypto-Calvinist ministers and teachers.)
-
Bedencken: Ob die Worte der Einsetzung notwendig müssen recitiret werden? Reflection:.
-
Bedencken von Beruff und Enterlaubung der Predigter Reflection.
-
Bericht vom newen Baptischen Gregoriano Calendario, an den Landgraffen zu Hessen Report. 1584. (Chemnitz had been trained as an astrologer, and he was consulted on the advisability of adopting the new 1582 Gregorian calendar in place of the old Julian calendar.)
-
Bericht von Gelegenheit und Unterschiedt der Herzogstümer Schleswig und Holtzstein Report. 1629.
-
Consilium de vitandis Calvinianis Counsel. 1623.
-
De coelibatu judicium Judgment. 1623.
-
Judicium de Calendario Gregoriano Judgment.
-
Judicium von der Nohtwehre Judgment. 1623.
-
Monita Chemnitiana oder heilsame Erinnerungen ehmals von D. Martino Chemnitio bey solenner Einführung der Julius-Universität Chemnitian. 1716.
Scholastic disputation
-
Disputatio Theologica de Beneficiis Filii Dei, Domini, & Redemptoris nostri JESU CHRISTI, pro summis in Theologia honoribus consequendis habita Theological. 1568 (A theological disputation qualifying someone for a doctorate in theology).
Theological treatises
-
Anatome Propositionum Alberti Hardenbergii de Coena Domini Anatomy/Dissection. 1561.
-
Bekäntnitz von der ubiquität Confession. 1623. (A document that presents Chemnitz's position on the doctrine of the omnipresence of Christ's human nature)
-
De incarnatione filii Dei item de officio et maiestate Christi tractus Treatise. 1865.
-
De origine Jeswitarum, et quo concilio secta illa recens instituta sit On. 1611.
-
Examination of the Council of Trent. Fred Kramer, trans. 4 vols. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971-86 (Originally published in 1565-73 as Examen Concilii Tridentini.)
-
Loci Theologici. J. A. O. Preus, trans. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1989; Justification: The Chief Article of Christian Doctrine as Expoiunded in Loci Theologici. J.A.O Preus, trans. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1985 (Originally published in 1591 as Loci Theologici.)
-
The Lord's Prayer. Georg Williams, trans. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999 (Originally published in English translation as A Svbstantial and godly exposition of the praier commonly called the Lords prayer. Cambridge, 1598; the original Latin text, never published, has been lost).
-
The Lord's Supper. J. A. O. Preus, trans. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1979. (Originally published in 1561 as Repititio sanae doctrinae de vera praesentia corporis et sangvinis Domini in Coena.)
-
Martini Kemnitinii Von der Jesuwiten ankunfft unnd ursprung Martin. 1586.
-
Ob ein Prediger am Ältare sich selbst communiciren möge Whether. 1623.
-
Richtige und inn H. Schrifft wolgegründte Erklarung / entlicher hochwichtiger und nötiger Artickel unser Christlichen Religion / in sonderliche Tractat und Predigten gefasset An. 1592.
-
Theologiæ Jesuitarum Brevis ac Nervosa Descriptio et Delineatio: Ex Præcipuis Capitibus Censuræ ipsorum, quæ Anno MDLX. Coloniæ edita est A. 1560.
-
Theses quaedam de unione duarum naturarum in Christo hypostatica: item de officiis et maiestate Christi Mediatoris Some. 1558.
-
Tract. de Imagine DEI in homine Treatise. 1570.
-
The Two Natures of Christ. J. A. O. Preus, trans. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971. (Originally published in 1578 as De Duabus Naturis in Christo: De hypostatica earum unione: De communicatione idiomaticum; a shorter edition was published in 1570.)
-
Veritas religionis Lutheranae defensa Defense. (Text in German).
-
Von der ewigen gnadenwahl On. 1892.
Biographies and research on Chemnitz
-
Antiqvitates Ecclestiaticae inclytae urbis Braunsvigae, oder: Der Beruhmten Stadt Braunschweig Kirchenhistorie. by Philippo Julio Rehtmeyer. Braunschweig: Gedruckt Verlagt von Christoph Friedrich Zilligers, 1710.
-
The Doctrine of Man in Classical Lutheran Theology edited by Herman A. Preus and Edmund Smits. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1962.
-
Formulators of the Formula of Concord. by Theodore R. Jungkuntz. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1977.
-
Grundlinien der Theolgie des Martin Chemnitz by G. Noth, 1930.
-
Loci Theologici; De Coena Domini; De Duabus Naturis in Christo; Theologiae Jesuitarum. Chelsea, Michigan: Sheridan Books, 2000. Facsimile.
-
Martin Chemnitz nach seinem Leben und Wirken by H. Hachfeld, 1867.
-
"Martin Chemnitz' Views on Trent: The Genesis and the Genius of the Examen Concilii Tridentini" by Arthur C. Piepkorn, Concordia Theological Monthly XXXVII 37(January 1966):5–37.
-
Die Polemik des Martin Chemnitz gegen das Konzil von Trent by R. Mumm, Leipzig, 1905.
-
The Second Martin: The Life and Theology of Martin Chemnitz. by J. A. O. Preus. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1994.
-
"The Works of Martin Chemnitz," by D. Georg Williams. Concordia Theological Quarterly. Vol. 42, 1978.
-
Der Zweite Martin der Lutherischen Kirche, Festschrift zum 400. Todestag von Martin Chemnitz {The Second Martin of the Lutheran Church, Jubilee Writing for the 400th anniversary of Martin Chemnitz} edited by W.A. Jünke, Braunschweig, 1986.
-
Studium Excitare: Biography of Martin Chemnitz by Joshua M. Zarling.
Footnotes
External links
