CAMPANUS, Johannes, Antitrinitarier, * 1500 in Maeseyck (Bistum Lüttich), † um 1575. - In Düsseldorf und Köln erwarb sich C. eine humanistische Bildung, wurde aber als Gegner der Scholastik um 1520 von der Universität Köln verwiesen. Längere Zeit verkündigte er als Anhänger der Reformation in Jülich die neue Lehre. Im Sommer 1527 ging C. als Hofmeister junger Adliger nach Wittenberg und widmete sich eifrig theologischen Studien. Auf dem Marburger Religionsgespräch Anfang Oktober 1529 erklärte er, durch seine Auslegung der Einsetzungsworte eine Verständigung zwischen Martin Luther und Huldrych Zwingli herbeiführen zu können, und beantragte, mit Luther disputieren zu dürfen, was aber abgelehnt wurde. Mit seinen antitrinitarischen, täuferischen und antinomistischen Anschauungen trat nun C. in Wittenberg immer deutlicher und herausfordernd auf, so daß Johann der Beständige ihn für kurze Zeit gefangensetzte. Als der Kurfürst im März 1530 in Torgau mit seinen Theologen über das zu Augsburg einzureichende Bekenntnis beriet, forderte C. Luther wiederum zu einer Disputation auf und überreichte den kurfürstlichen Räten eine Darstellung seiner Lehre. Von Luther aufs neue abgewiesen, verließ er in der festen Überzeugung, der einzig wahre Reformator zu sein 1531 Kursachsen. Jülich wurde die Stätte seiner Wirksamkeit. C. gewann zahlreiche Anhänger und beeinflußte die Täuferbewegung in Münster (Westfalen). Da er durch die Verkündigung des nahen Weltendes das Volk beunruhigte, ließ ihn der Herzog von Jülich um 1553 in Kleve gefangensetzen. Noch über 20 Jahre lebte C. im Gefängnis und soll in Geistesverwirrung gestorben sein.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Wer War Johannes Campanus?
I tried looking him up and found:
Sunday, February 26, 2006
#1857-To Martin Goerlitz in Braunschweig
To M. Georlitz, Bishop in Braunschweig.
Grace and peace in Christ! One hears here, my dear Martin, that Johann Campanus has set in by you and if this is true ,I can do nothing else but express my regrets very much for the fate of your church. I believe that you know this child of Satan and opponent of the Son of God blaphemes even more than Arius. Therfore I pray that with the Senate and wherever you can that such a fury, who has not been called, may not be permitted who is without a call even were he an angel and even a Gabriel who made the Annunciation to Mary that he was sent by God. If they be so careless that they listen to any sort of people who come without being sent it is dangerous for you to stay there. Daily I am considering to call you away from there because of the Zwinglian with you whom, as I here, are a sufficient evil. Finally I am hoping that soon you will be a
Pastor in the vicinity of the flowing of the Saale. Then one hopes that you will be visiting the preaching=positions there. Meanwhile be it right well with you with yours
and pray for me and meanwhile be strong in Christ. On the Monday after Catherine (27 Nov.) Anno 1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: Arius is the fourth-century theologian disputing the divinity of Christ against whom the Nicene Creed is directed by Athanasius.
De Wette thinks that preaching positions in the valley of the Saale are vacant (vacare) but the Editors prefer "visitari" .
Grace and peace in Christ! One hears here, my dear Martin, that Johann Campanus has set in by you and if this is true ,I can do nothing else but express my regrets very much for the fate of your church. I believe that you know this child of Satan and opponent of the Son of God blaphemes even more than Arius. Therfore I pray that with the Senate and wherever you can that such a fury, who has not been called, may not be permitted who is without a call even were he an angel and even a Gabriel who made the Annunciation to Mary that he was sent by God. If they be so careless that they listen to any sort of people who come without being sent it is dangerous for you to stay there. Daily I am considering to call you away from there because of the Zwinglian with you whom, as I here, are a sufficient evil. Finally I am hoping that soon you will be a
Pastor in the vicinity of the flowing of the Saale. Then one hopes that you will be visiting the preaching=positions there. Meanwhile be it right well with you with yours
and pray for me and meanwhile be strong in Christ. On the Monday after Catherine (27 Nov.) Anno 1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: Arius is the fourth-century theologian disputing the divinity of Christ against whom the Nicene Creed is directed by Athanasius.
De Wette thinks that preaching positions in the valley of the Saale are vacant (vacare) but the Editors prefer "visitari" .
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Mehr Auf Zwickau
I thought this was interesting:
Zwickau is of Slavonic origin, and is mentioned in 1118 as a trading place. The name is fancifully derived from the Latin cygnea, from a tradition that placed a " swan lake " here which had the property of renewing the youth of those who bathed in it. Zwickau was an imperial possession, but was pledged to Henry the Illustrious, margrave of Meissen (d. 1288). The German king Charles VI. conferred it as a fief in 1348 on the margraves of Meissen, and it thus passed to their successors the electors of Saxony. The discovery of silver in the Schnee-berg in 1470 brought it much wealth. The Anabaptist movement of 1525 began at Zwickau under the inspiration of the " Zwickau prophets." Robert Schumann (1810-1856), the musical composer, was born here in a house which still stands in the market-place.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
#1856-To Johann Bugenhagen in Luebeck
To Herr Johann Pommer, Bishop in Wittenberg, Legate to Luebeck.
Grace and peace in Christ! We wish for you, my dear Pommer, as a returnee, as soon as possible after the delivery ( childbirth) of your wife ( for whom I pray that it will be blessed)and that it will be peaceful.We have sufficiently served the Luebeckers mainly by your absence from here which is becoming difficult for us because I am overloaded and often ill; thus I have been negligent about the church-treasury and they long for their pastor. "I cannot wait." The world is the world and the devil is their god.You know that in your church in Brauschwieig a Zwinglian devil has been sent. Now has come to this wolf's church one known as Campanus. I do not know whether God is rebuking the unthankfulnees of this city or whether He is testing our patience through this extremity.You can by sending of letters there or on the trip here remind the Senate. I fear that this spark will be for many a fire-storm. But Christ has One Who to Him says (Psalm 110,1); "Sit on my right" and (Ps.2,7): "You are my Son." If they are lying, we would Campen and his God pray, Amen, that is, it will not happen. To me, the LOrd of my Kaethe has gifted a Martin, and we will be well-off, if the farmers who have become rich in this year would in all their evilness would grant us an increase in the cost of living (caristiam, as one says) to show their thankfulness for the Gospel by which they have been freed from so many evils. The world might go to the ground who has refused to be saved,Amen. Greet your Eva and Sarah in my name and that of my wife and all of ours. On the Friday after Elisabeth (24 Nov.)1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: A son born,Martin, to Kaethe and Martin in month of ML's birth.
Johann Wulf of Campen is one of the culprits come to trouble Braunschweig.
Grace and peace in Christ! We wish for you, my dear Pommer, as a returnee, as soon as possible after the delivery ( childbirth) of your wife ( for whom I pray that it will be blessed)and that it will be peaceful.We have sufficiently served the Luebeckers mainly by your absence from here which is becoming difficult for us because I am overloaded and often ill; thus I have been negligent about the church-treasury and they long for their pastor. "I cannot wait." The world is the world and the devil is their god.You know that in your church in Brauschwieig a Zwinglian devil has been sent. Now has come to this wolf's church one known as Campanus. I do not know whether God is rebuking the unthankfulnees of this city or whether He is testing our patience through this extremity.You can by sending of letters there or on the trip here remind the Senate. I fear that this spark will be for many a fire-storm. But Christ has One Who to Him says (Psalm 110,1); "Sit on my right" and (Ps.2,7): "You are my Son." If they are lying, we would Campen and his God pray, Amen, that is, it will not happen. To me, the LOrd of my Kaethe has gifted a Martin, and we will be well-off, if the farmers who have become rich in this year would in all their evilness would grant us an increase in the cost of living (caristiam, as one says) to show their thankfulness for the Gospel by which they have been freed from so many evils. The world might go to the ground who has refused to be saved,Amen. Greet your Eva and Sarah in my name and that of my wife and all of ours. On the Friday after Elisabeth (24 Nov.)1531. Your Martin Luther.
NOTE: A son born,Martin, to Kaethe and Martin in month of ML's birth.
Johann Wulf of Campen is one of the culprits come to trouble Braunschweig.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
#1855-Faculty -testimony for Veit Oertel of Winsheim
The Wittenberger theologians send best wishes to the newly-called servant of the Word in Winsheim.
Heil! Since your citizens in Winsheim have requested our illustrious Prince that he might send you to govern the church of that city the illustrious Prince has delivered the decision to us and commanded that we should write to you that he graciously constitutes you should be in your father-land as befits you,if we determine that you are acceptable for this office. The very good Prince desires not only to advise his territories but also the churches in other areas as much as he is able. We regard your doctrine as good and your discretion and your insight and your carefulness in every aspect of administration to be same so we commend you to the office of the church in Winsheim to teach and govern and are confident of the same recommendation.And we have written to the Prince of our decision in this matter, and he has commended you to be graciously appointed to Winsheim and we admonish you that you the Gospel of Christ which previously have taught amongst us purely that you faithfully set forth the same to the glory of Christ and for the salvation of the people and that you do not permit the purity of our teaching be corrupted by new doctrines which godless people everywhere promulgate who do not know Christ; and we remind you that you continually are mindful of the dangers of the time which at all times requires careful and watchful teachers. Now we see that everywhere teachings are put forward which especially want to set aside our teaching which we regard as necessary regarding the teaching of the forgiveness of sins and righteousness by faith. This we have written on account of our Prince, the Duke of Saxony, Elector, in respect of our love toward you, which you must believe, and pray that Christ will will direct you to His glory and to the salvation of the people. Given at Wittenberg on the Wednesday after Elisabeth (22 Nov.) Anno 1531. Martin Luther, Justus Jonas.Philipp Melanchton.
Heil! Since your citizens in Winsheim have requested our illustrious Prince that he might send you to govern the church of that city the illustrious Prince has delivered the decision to us and commanded that we should write to you that he graciously constitutes you should be in your father-land as befits you,if we determine that you are acceptable for this office. The very good Prince desires not only to advise his territories but also the churches in other areas as much as he is able. We regard your doctrine as good and your discretion and your insight and your carefulness in every aspect of administration to be same so we commend you to the office of the church in Winsheim to teach and govern and are confident of the same recommendation.And we have written to the Prince of our decision in this matter, and he has commended you to be graciously appointed to Winsheim and we admonish you that you the Gospel of Christ which previously have taught amongst us purely that you faithfully set forth the same to the glory of Christ and for the salvation of the people and that you do not permit the purity of our teaching be corrupted by new doctrines which godless people everywhere promulgate who do not know Christ; and we remind you that you continually are mindful of the dangers of the time which at all times requires careful and watchful teachers. Now we see that everywhere teachings are put forward which especially want to set aside our teaching which we regard as necessary regarding the teaching of the forgiveness of sins and righteousness by faith. This we have written on account of our Prince, the Duke of Saxony, Elector, in respect of our love toward you, which you must believe, and pray that Christ will will direct you to His glory and to the salvation of the people. Given at Wittenberg on the Wednesday after Elisabeth (22 Nov.) Anno 1531. Martin Luther, Justus Jonas.Philipp Melanchton.
Friday, February 17, 2006
#1854-To Nicolaus Hausmann
To the very beloved Herr Nicolaus Hausmann, the servant of God, his superior in the LOrd.
Grace and peace in Christ! I have, worthy man, recently written to you and very much requested that you might return to me but you have answered nothing I fear that you have not received my letter. For this reason I again request that you for the sake of Christ return to me as soon as possible. Here you have a new, vacant little room
awaiting you and set up and needs only that you come. Do not doubt that you will be a burden but rather an enlightenment and consolation and would to God that you would remain with me your entire life. It would not be difficult but easy to support you and a good opportunity to renounce the unthankful and sulky people for your sake whom one might not otherwise renounce. This very same thing thing the pastor in Buchholz will tell you orally. On this account, come immediately and do not delay. I am expecting you and will welcome you with joy; also do not be concerned about the money. Be it well with you in Christ. The Wednesday after Elizabeth (22. Nov.) Anno 1531. M.L.
Note: Luther sent the first invitation on October 31. See #1851.
Grace and peace in Christ! I have, worthy man, recently written to you and very much requested that you might return to me but you have answered nothing I fear that you have not received my letter. For this reason I again request that you for the sake of Christ return to me as soon as possible. Here you have a new, vacant little room
awaiting you and set up and needs only that you come. Do not doubt that you will be a burden but rather an enlightenment and consolation and would to God that you would remain with me your entire life. It would not be difficult but easy to support you and a good opportunity to renounce the unthankful and sulky people for your sake whom one might not otherwise renounce. This very same thing thing the pastor in Buchholz will tell you orally. On this account, come immediately and do not delay. I am expecting you and will welcome you with joy; also do not be concerned about the money. Be it well with you in Christ. The Wednesday after Elizabeth (22. Nov.) Anno 1531. M.L.
Note: Luther sent the first invitation on October 31. See #1851.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
#1853-To Markgraf Georg in Brandenburg
To the illustrious, high-born Prince and Lord, Herr Georg, Markgraf in Brandenburg,et
Duke in Stettin, Pomerania et., my gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus. Illustrious, high-born Princem gracious Lord! EFG's preacher in Kulmbach and the mountainous area has often written me and now personally pleaded that I should humbly admonish EFG,to be strong and firm in the Gospel against such great and manifold attacks and offense which the devil daily incites and increasees. Because,however, EFG in Augsburg (Georg is a signer of the AC) together with ours, so confidently confessed and joyfully ventured forward, I think it highly unnecessary to further admonish EFG. EFG knows that here on earth Christ in His own must be weak, infirm and offensive as He Himself says: "Blessed is hh who is not offended in me", and His Christendom is permitted to be hidden in tribulation, divisions,infirmity and weakness so that it cannot be discovered by reason but only perceived by faith and confessed in the Gospel as we say in the creed:"I believe in one Christian Church". And although Christians bear much fruit of the Spirit and live holy lives yet there remains present much sin and infirmity: so that the Article is not idly uttered: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins", and in the fifth petition of the Our Father:"Forgive us our debts" etc., as Paul also says in Galatians 6:2:, Christ's law is to bear one another's burden; that is the common law in His kingdom of grace which EFG knows better than I can write. That the preacher of EFG urges to such admonishment of EFG is not that he doubts EFG's faith but because EFG rules such a great land and does the same not by himslef alone but but through officials and under-regents and must entrust to them everything among whom there are several (as among us) who are opposed secretly to the Gospel and some completely despise it and they combine to bring much malice and the forsaking of the preachers so that they have neither help or protection and finally in the face of hunger and poverty must let go of their parishes and thus the time of the Gospel among us will end and be gone: so take care of the good men so that EFG never experiences this though they may well be far from EFG's personal experience and far from his cognizance as it this way daily among us too. But this is put on your conscience that they complain against M.Ludwig unjustly and accuse him falsely of unchastity; also they are determined to give occasion to shut the mouth of the people and bring about hindrance and offence to the Gospel. EFG is a man as I am and I myself often grow so weary of the matters and offences that I can hardly endure it: what must EFG encounter regarding the Gospel since he has such a great and difficutl regime to deal with? Therfore I pray to God the Father of all consolation and strength that He would through His dear Son strengthen and through His Holy Spirit comfort him that in every such burden, labor and offense to hold up His Christians valiantly and protect them from the fiery arrows of Satan who after he cannot neither with skill or force win us over yet at the last with his persistent and enduring offenses and hindrances make us weary and tired of it all. Nam quod vi et arte non potest, saepis vincit assiduitate et tacido. [What he is not able to with force and art he often brings about with persistence and weariness.] I pray also that EFG that the above mentioned preachers would be commended to you and earnestness be applied so that they are little better taken care of. If then we are considered to servants of God and His Word and want to be Christians then we cannot be despised without God Himnself and His Word being
despised. Such I pray for EFG in his patience that he would not think I do not want to serve him in any way. I regard it as certain that it makes EFG very sorrowful when anyone regards God's Word and His servants as unworthy. But who can make all the boobs pious? We preachers should and must also have patience and bear with the world
in all its evil. May EFG regard graciously this writing and regard it as intended for the best. The merciful God comfort and lead eFG according to all His good pleasure,Amen. On the Thursday after S. Martin's (Oct.16) 1531. EFG's willing D. Martinus Luther.
NOTES: ML persuaded Albrect II of Prussia, and brother of Georg of Brandenburg to make Prussia a secular state which made this the beginning of the end of the Teutonic knights. Presume something similar happened in Brandenburg.
Duke in Stettin, Pomerania et., my gracious Lord.
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus. Illustrious, high-born Princem gracious Lord! EFG's preacher in Kulmbach and the mountainous area has often written me and now personally pleaded that I should humbly admonish EFG,to be strong and firm in the Gospel against such great and manifold attacks and offense which the devil daily incites and increasees. Because,however, EFG in Augsburg (Georg is a signer of the AC) together with ours, so confidently confessed and joyfully ventured forward, I think it highly unnecessary to further admonish EFG. EFG knows that here on earth Christ in His own must be weak, infirm and offensive as He Himself says: "Blessed is hh who is not offended in me", and His Christendom is permitted to be hidden in tribulation, divisions,infirmity and weakness so that it cannot be discovered by reason but only perceived by faith and confessed in the Gospel as we say in the creed:"I believe in one Christian Church". And although Christians bear much fruit of the Spirit and live holy lives yet there remains present much sin and infirmity: so that the Article is not idly uttered: "I believe in the forgiveness of sins", and in the fifth petition of the Our Father:"Forgive us our debts" etc., as Paul also says in Galatians 6:2:, Christ's law is to bear one another's burden; that is the common law in His kingdom of grace which EFG knows better than I can write. That the preacher of EFG urges to such admonishment of EFG is not that he doubts EFG's faith but because EFG rules such a great land and does the same not by himslef alone but but through officials and under-regents and must entrust to them everything among whom there are several (as among us) who are opposed secretly to the Gospel and some completely despise it and they combine to bring much malice and the forsaking of the preachers so that they have neither help or protection and finally in the face of hunger and poverty must let go of their parishes and thus the time of the Gospel among us will end and be gone: so take care of the good men so that EFG never experiences this though they may well be far from EFG's personal experience and far from his cognizance as it this way daily among us too. But this is put on your conscience that they complain against M.Ludwig unjustly and accuse him falsely of unchastity; also they are determined to give occasion to shut the mouth of the people and bring about hindrance and offence to the Gospel. EFG is a man as I am and I myself often grow so weary of the matters and offences that I can hardly endure it: what must EFG encounter regarding the Gospel since he has such a great and difficutl regime to deal with? Therfore I pray to God the Father of all consolation and strength that He would through His dear Son strengthen and through His Holy Spirit comfort him that in every such burden, labor and offense to hold up His Christians valiantly and protect them from the fiery arrows of Satan who after he cannot neither with skill or force win us over yet at the last with his persistent and enduring offenses and hindrances make us weary and tired of it all. Nam quod vi et arte non potest, saepis vincit assiduitate et tacido. [What he is not able to with force and art he often brings about with persistence and weariness.] I pray also that EFG that the above mentioned preachers would be commended to you and earnestness be applied so that they are little better taken care of. If then we are considered to servants of God and His Word and want to be Christians then we cannot be despised without God Himnself and His Word being
despised. Such I pray for EFG in his patience that he would not think I do not want to serve him in any way. I regard it as certain that it makes EFG very sorrowful when anyone regards God's Word and His servants as unworthy. But who can make all the boobs pious? We preachers should and must also have patience and bear with the world
in all its evil. May EFG regard graciously this writing and regard it as intended for the best. The merciful God comfort and lead eFG according to all His good pleasure,Amen. On the Thursday after S. Martin's (Oct.16) 1531. EFG's willing D. Martinus Luther.
NOTES: ML persuaded Albrect II of Prussia, and brother of Georg of Brandenburg to make Prussia a secular state which made this the beginning of the end of the Teutonic knights. Presume something similar happened in Brandenburg.
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