Martin Chemnitz Totally Explained

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Martin Chemnitz (November 9 1522 – April 8 1586) was an eminent second-generation Lutheran theologian, reformer, churchman, and confessor. In the Lutheran tradition he's known as Alter Martinus, the "Second Martin": Si Martinus non fuisset, Martinus vix stetisset ("If Martin [Chemnitz] hadn't come along, Martin [Luther] would hardly have survived") goes a common saying concerning him. He is commemorated as a pastor and confessor in the Lutheran Service Book of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod on November 9.

Early life and education

Martin, born in Treuenbrietzen 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: from then on the family suffered from financial difficulties. When he was old enough, Martin matriculated at the University of Magdeburg. Upon completion of the course work, he then served as a weaver's apprentice. He helped his family with its clothing business for the next few years. When he was twenty he again began his education at the University of Frankfurt on the Oder. He remained in school until his finances were exhaused; he then took a teaching job in the town of Wrietzen, 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 others too had worried over in the past. In 1545 he accompanied his cousin Georg Sabinus to school in Wittenberg (1538 - 1539), Wittenberg (1545 - 1547) where he studied under Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. From Melanchthon he learned how to shape his theological education correctly beginning with the difference between "law," and "gospel". Though he heard Luther lecture often, in Chemnitz's own words, he didn't pay Luther the attention he should have. (cf. Autobiography) Because of Luther's death and political events, Chemnitz transferred from the University of Wittenburg 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 town of Koenigsberg, so Chemnitz left quickly for Salfeld. When it was safe he returned to Koenigsberg and was employed in 1550 by Prince Albrecht as the court librarian. In return for caring for the library and teaching a few courses as a tutor, he'd unrestricted access to what was considered one of the finest libraries in Europe. For the first time Chemnitz applied himself completely to theological study. It was during these years that his interest shifted from astrology, which he'd studied in Magdeburg, to theology. He began his own course of study by carefully working through the Bible in the original languages, and answering question that had previously puzzled him. When he felt sufficiently ready to move on, he then turned his attention to carefully reading through the early theologians of the church. He read them slowly and carefully. Then he turned to current theological concerns and once again read slowly, carefully and painstakingly while making copious notes. This course of self-study was at Melanchthon's suggestion. (cf. Autobiography) Chemnitz moved back to Wittenberg in 1553 as a guest of Melanchthon.

His vocation as reformer, churchman, and theologian

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 ordained into the office of the holy ministry on November 25, 1554 by Johannes Bugenhagen, and became co-adjutor of Joachim Mörlin, who was ecclesiastical superintendent for the city of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. When Mörlin resigned in 1567, Martin Chemnitz became his successor in a post he held for the rest of his life.
Through his leadership Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was won to Lutheranism. There he helped his prince, Duke Julius of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, establish the University of Helmstedt (1575 - 1576). With Jakob Andreä, David Chytraeus, Nicholas Selnecker, Andrew Musculus, et al. Chemnitz took part in a centrist movement that brought about concord among the German Lutherans in the writing and publication of the Formula of Concord (1577), of which Chemnitz is one of the primary authors. He was instrumental in the publication of the definitive Book of Concord in 1580, the doctrinal standard of the Lutheran Church. Other major works are Examen Concilii Tridentini [Examinationof the Council of Trent] and De Duabis Naturis in Christo [Onthe Two Natures in Christ]. These works demonstrate Martin Chemnitz's genius as a biblical, doctrinal, and historical theologian. His Examination remains unrefuted to this day in the view of many scholars, Lutheran as well as those of other Christian denominations. He died in Braunschweig.

Works

Autobiography

Martin Chemnitii einhändige Lebens-Beschreibung. Nebst denen ihm zu Braunschweig gesetzen Epitaphiis [MartinChemnitz's Submitted Life-Description edited by W.A. Jünke, Braunschweig, 1986.
Studium Excitare: Biography of Martin Chemnitz by Joshua M. Zarling.

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