Erhard Schnepf

Erhard Schnepf or Schnepff ( born November 1, 1495 Heilbronn, † November 1, 1558 in Jena ) was a Lutheran theologian and major reformer, General Superintendent of the Duchy of Württemberg, a university professor at the Friedrich -Schiller- University Jena, professor of the University of Marburg and high school teachers at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen.

Life

Youth, education and encounter with Martin Luther

Erhard Schnepf was a respected son, little wealthy parents - his father of the same name ( † after 1535) was a shoemaker in Großgartach and since 1483 in Heilbronn. After visiting the Heilbronner Latin School Schnepf studied from 1509 at the University of Erfurt. As a Bachelor of Arts in 1511, he moved to the University of Heidelberg where he earned in 1513 the degree of Master of Arts. He began with the study of jurisprudence, theology, and was then moved to 1518 Baccalaureus Theologiae. The targeted promotion Doctor was omitted for cost reasons. Since 1518 Schnepf studied again Jura. He belonged to the young Magisters who met already in April 1518 at the Heidelberg disputation with Martin Luther. Schnepf was impressed with him and was a staunch supporter and defender of his rigorous teaching.

Successor John Oecolampadius, Prädikatur in vineyard

As the successor to John Oecolampadius took Schnepf 1520 Prädikatur in the Württemberg vineyard. He also appears as a witness in the will of the deceased in that year Heilbronner Kilian Church preacher Johann Kröner, the latter had the later Heilbronner reformer Johann Lachmann dictated. In Weinberg Schnepf preached the new doctrine. After he was expelled from the Austrian government Württemberg Vineyard because of its setting Reformation in 1522, he found refuge with Dietrich von Gemmingen at Burg Guttenberg. In the lying beneath the castle church of Neckarmühlbach he knew the pastors. Schnepf 1523 was appointed as a minister in the imperial city of Wimpfen. In the German Peasants' War, he wanted the rebellious peasants who turned in the spring of 1525 after the murder of the city Weinberger Wimpfen, as a military chaplain, but what Schnepf refused. In the fall of 1525 he was one of the signatories of the formulated by Johannes Brenz Syngramma Suevicum and thus stood in the eucharistic controversy against the doctrine Oecolampadius and Zwingli.

Marriage with Margaretha Wurzelmann

In Wimpfen Schnepf 1525 married Margaretha root man (around 1503-1569 ), the daughter of the imperial mayor Bernhard root (b. 1450 /55 in † after 1510). One of her sons - ( Theodor [ icus ] ) Dietrich Schnepf ( 1525-1586 ) - also became a theologian and was a critic of witch-hunting. One of his descendants is the major theologian and Tübingen historian for Universal History Karl Friedrich Haug.

Introduction of the Reformation in the vineyard

At the request of Count Philip III. of Nassau led Erhard Schnepf 1525/26 the Reformation in Weilburg through. Landgrave Philip the Magnanimous of Hesse in 1527 appointed him as preacher and professor of theology at the newly founded University of Marburg. Schnepf was appointed only hesitantly and took until August 1528 to the Chair. 1529 and 1530 he accompanied the Landgrave as consultants to the Diets in Speyer and Augsburg. In 1532 he declined the offer to become the second preacher after Johann Lachmann in Heilbronn. 1532 and 1534 he was rector of the University of Marburg.

Return to Württemberg

1534 Schnepf returned at the request of Duke Ulrich to Württemberg to there as well - for the Reformation - along with Ambrose Blarer. The Lutherans Schnepf and more influenced by Zwingli Blarer agreed in August 1534 in Stuttgart Agreement on a common understanding of the Lord's Supper. They also agreed on their respective areas of responsibility: Schnepf reformed of Stuttgart from the northern and Blarer of Tübingen from the southern part of the country. Schnepf 1535 was appointed by Duke Ulrich to the Stuttgart court preacher and general superintendent of all churches Württemberg.

Argument to abolish the images

Schnepf to enforce a moderate Lutheranism in the Württemberg church order of 1536 succeeded. But clashes with Blarer remained not out. On the Uracher " Götzentag " in 1537 - a debate about the abolition of the images in the churches - could prevail Blarer. The Duke enacted a ban on images that brought the loss of many valuable works of art. After his release in 1538 Blarers Schnepf was given responsibility for the reformation activity throughout the country alone. Schnepf was one of the participants in the Colloquy in Haguenau, Worms (1540 /41) and Regensburg ( 1546).

Withdrawal of all offices by Duke Ulrich, and the consequences

Erhard Schnepf received his doctorate in 1544 at the University of Tübingen Dr. theol. and got here in the same year a theological professorship. Because of his opposition to the Augsburg Interim he was released end of 1548 by Duke Ulrich from all offices. After a short stay at Eberhard von Gemmingen Castle guarantees and Count Philip III. of Rieneck in Lohr Schnepf was appointed in 1549 as a teacher at the High School, founded in March 1548 in Jena. He provided here also the parish church of the city and the superintendency. In 1557 he was rector of the University of Jena, who were awarded the rights of a university in August 1557.

In Jena Schnepf came under the influence of Nicholas of Amsdorf Gnesio-Lutherans and Matthias Flacius. Because of his attitude in Osiandrian and later in the Synergistic controversy he antagonized with old friends, especially with Johannes Brenz, the father of his son Dietrich, and Philipp Melanchthon. 1554/55 took Schnepf part in the great church visitation of the Ernestine country. During the proceedings in the House of Wettin, he took the side of the Ernestine. Schnepf was one of the participants in the conversation of religion Wormser 1557. November 1, 1558 his 63rd birthday, Erhard Schnepf died in Jena.

Family

Children Schnepfs Erhard and his wife Margaret were:

Remembrance

November 1 Protestant calendar name.